The history of the introduction of the blue laser in laryngology
The MEDICAL VOICE CENTER’s first laser course took place on February 27, 2016. We demonstrated a laser hybrid system consisting of a green laser and diode laser from ARC Laser. In summer 2016, the idea was developed to also use the blue laser, which had previously only been used for dental treatments, for laryngology. In November 2016, ARC Laser developed the first prototype with wavelengths of 445 nm and 405 nm. During December, both wavelengths were tested for the first time for use in laryngology. Due to the higher power of the 445 nm laser (then 4 watts in cw mode), compared to the 2 watts at 405 nm, we opted for the 445 nm wavelength and further increased the power of the laser. In mid-February 2017, the blue laser was used publicly for the first time at PhonoCon in Delhi. Three patients underwent live vocal fold surgery with the blue laser in front of an audience. In June 2017, the blue laser was exhibited publicly for the first time at IFOS in Paris. During Prof. Jean Abitbol’s laser course, which took place parallel to IFOS, Prof. Hess demonstrated the blue laser, which was used live in public for the first time in Europe. From March 2018, the ‚Wolf‘ 445 nm laser was commercially available to end customers in Europe for the first time.
