The Science of Super Pulsed Lasers.

Therapeutic lasers are relatively low power output light therapy devices that produce less than 500 milliwatts of power. Most of the devices utilize semiconductor diodes to produce the lasing effect.

A diode called a Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs) is the only diode on the market that can produce a Super Pulse effect. This laser diode is unique in that it is always operated in Super pulse mode. Super pulsing means that the laser produces very short pulses of high peak power. These peak power spikes are usually in the 25,000 milliwatt range, but last for only 100 - 200 nanoseconds while maintaining a mean power output that is usually below 100 milliwatts.

This phenomenon is similar to what happens in a camera flash. Super pulsing allows for deep penetration into body tissues without causing the unwelcome tissue effects of continuous high power output such as heat production. Super pulsing allows for deeper penetration than a laser of the same wavelength that is not super pulsed but has the same average output power. Penetration is 3 - 5 cm or more. Super Pulsing also allows for treatment times to be reduced dramatically. These lasers are extremely well suited for medium and deep tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and joints.