What is thulium laser technology, and why do urology departments ask about it? A thulium laser uses thulium ions in a gain medium to generate infrared light near 2 µm, which water in tissue absorbs very strongly. In urology the most discussed form is the thulium fibre laser, used for stone lithotripsy, prostate enucleation and bladder tumour resection. This guide separates it from cosmetic devices and explains the physics in plain language.
Thulium laser wavelength and how it works
Thulium lasers emit around 1.9 to 2.0 µm. The Richard Wolf Pulvis 60+ works at 1920–1960 nm. This lies close to a strong absorption peak of water, which makes up most soft tissue and the irrigation fluid. Energy is absorbed within a very short depth, so the laser can vaporise or cut tissue precisely and can break stones in contact mode while thermal spread stays limited.
For comparison, the holmium:YAG laser used in urology emits at 2100 nm, where water absorption is lower. The details of that difference are discussed in thulium vs holmium laser.
Thulium fibre laser vs thulium YAG
Two designs carry the thulium name. Thulium:YAG lasers use a crystal as the gain medium, and thulium fibre lasers use an optical fibre doped with thulium. A fibre laser is pumped by diodes and can produce pulses at very high frequency with small pulse energy, which allows fine dusting of stones and smooth tissue effects. Fibre lasers are also compact and can run from ordinary power sockets.
Pulvis 60+ is a Class 4 thulium fibre laser with up to 60 W output, pulse energy of 0.020–6 J and frequency up to 2500 Hz. It supports continuous and pulsed emission, and a touch-display menu controls its settings. It weighs 100 kg and measures 47 × 94 × 81 cm, as a compact tower on castors.
Thulium laser for BPH and other urology uses
In stone treatment, the laser is used for dusting, popcorning and fragmentation, with low retropulsion of the stone. In soft tissue, Pulvis 60+ is presented for TUR-B and en bloc resection of bladder tumours (ERBT) and for thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) as an alternative to HoLEP. Enucleation of an enlarged prostate is followed by morcellation of tissue, as explained in our thulium laser enucleation guide.
The choice of technique is a surgical decision. Equipment teams need to know only the fibre sizes, scopes and accessories required: Pulvis 60+ supports disposable and reusable fibres from 150 to 1000 µm.
Thulium laser is not only a cosmetic device
Searches for thulium laser what is it often bring up skin devices, such as fractional non-ablative lasers for resurfacing at around 1927 nm. These are separate products with other beam delivery systems, indications and regulations. A surgical urology laser is a high-power device used in an operating room, sterile fibres and endoscopes.
When you compare offers, make sure that the supplier is talking about a surgical thulium fibre laser with approved fibres for urological use, the right accessories and trained service.
Effects on tissue and why they matter
Because the energy is absorbed so superficially, thulium emission can cut or vaporise tissue with a thin zone of thermal change, and in continuous mode it produces a cutting effect suited to enucleation. In pulsed mode, at low energy and high frequency, it creates fine dust from stones. Surgeons therefore talk about a continuous-wave cutting mode and a pulsed lithotripsy mode in the same device.
From an equipment viewpoint, this versatility means one laser can serve stone and soft-tissue lists, which simplifies purchasing. It does not remove the need for the right fibre diameter, scope channel and irrigation for each procedure, so plan those accessories together with the laser.
Safety and what to ask a supplier
Because this is a Class 4 laser, a controlled area, warning signs, appropriate eyewear and trained staff are required, in line with IEC 60825-1 principles. Ask about maximum power, available modes, fibre range, cost and availability of fibres, power and room needs, service and training. See richard wolf Pulvis thulium fibre laser for the product overview.
Beckfinity's specialists can explain Pulvis 60+ to your urology and biomedical teams. Request a quote or consultation, and confirm UAE device registration and facility licensing requirements with the relevant authorities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the wavelength of a thulium laser?
Thulium lasers emit in the region of 1.9 to 2.0 µm. The Pulvis 60+ fibre laser works at 1920–1960 nm.
How does a thulium laser work?
Thulium ions in a doped fibre or crystal produce infrared light that water in tissue absorbs strongly, so energy acts on a short depth and can cut tissue or fragment stones.
Is a thulium laser used for BPH?
Yes. Thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) is an alternative to HoLEP, and the choice is a surgical decision.
Are cosmetic thulium lasers the same as urology thulium lasers?
No. They are different devices with other power levels, delivery systems and indications.
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