Advances in Laser Technology Expand its Scope of Applications in Healthcare

Remarkable developments in laser technology in the fields of medicine and surgery have resulted in a greater range of applications for lasers in medicine. Lasers have a huge role to play in the diagnosis and treatment of a disease. While researchers are currently focusing on studying microsurgical laser procedures for cutting chromosomes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lasers have already found application in oncology, ophthalmology, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, cardiology gynecology, gastroenterology, dermatology, urology, and diagnostics.

This Technical Insights study examines the impact of advances in lasers in imaging and therapeutic applications. It offers a broad view of the promising areas for laser applications, with core focus on diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, and cardiology. This research service enables companies to align their positioning strategies to benefit from these technologies.

Reduced Costs Make Lasers Affordable to Several Users

With lasers becoming less expensive, they are being increasingly adopted by hospitals. Lasers have become so ubiquitous in medical applications that even private medical offices have started deploying lasers for daily use on patients. Laser treatment procedures’ low costs have enabled even spas and beauty salons to install them. The aesthetic application segment has contributed significantly to the revenues of the $2.5 billion global medical laser systems market.

"The United States, which is the world’s largest and most mature market for lasers, has witnessed the introduction of inventive technologies and expansion of lasers into new indications," says the analyst of this research service. "The market revenues in the United States are expected to reach $672.4 million in 2009." In other regions, market participants can increase their revenue shares through increased penetration in existing markets.

Numerous Benefits Expand the Scope and Opportunities Presented by Advanced Laser Technology

Substantial and extensive benefits of laser technologies have increased their uptake among healthcare practitioners. Significantly, lasers enable minimally invasive procedures, reduced risk of infection and pain, less bleeding and swelling, precision in targeting the affected area, eliminating the need for general anesthesia, and shorter hospital stay, leading to improved patient outcomes.