In urology operating rooms, one technology is transforming the treatment experience for millions of stone patients — holmium laser lithotripsy. No incisions. No cuts on the body. A flexible optical fiber passes through the body's natural passages to reach the stone, and the laser pulverizes it instantly. At the heart of this procedure, beyond the laser generator itself, is the unassuming but critical component — the holmium laser fiber. The fiber handles the "last mile" — delivering high-energy laser signals from the generator to the target site with minimal loss. Transmission efficiency, end-face quality, and bending resistance directly affect surgical outcomes. A substandard fiber can cause energy attenuation, end-face burn, or even intraoperative light loss — unacceptable in surgery. Hecho Technology has been developing medical laser fibers for years, receiving Class II medical device registration for both "Medical Laser Fiber" and "Single-Use Sterile Laser Fiber" in June 2026. This article provides technical information and selection guidance for holmium laser fibers. I. Why Is Holmium Laser Ideal for Minimally Invasive Surgery? Holmium laser is a high-energy pulsed laser with a wavelength of 2100nm (2.1μm). This wavelength has a special property — it falls within the strong water absorption band. Human tissue has high water content. When holmium laser energy reaches tissue, it is efficiently absorbed by water, resulting in extremely shallow penetration depth (less than 0.5mm) and minimal thermal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Clinically, this means two things: precision — the laser acts only on target tissue; and safety — shallow penetration means lower risk when operating near delicate organs. Additionally, holmium laser effectiveness is largely unaffected by stone composition. Calcium oxalate, phosphate, cystine, and uric acid stones — holmium laser treats them all. This "universal" capability is unmatched by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or pneumatic lithotripsy. II. How Does the Fiber Affect Surgical Outcomes? Holmium laser fiber technology involves three core requirements: 1. Low Transmission Loss At the 2100nm wavelength, water has a strong absorption peak. If the fiber material contains trace amounts of hydroxyl (OH⁻) groups, it creates significant absorption at this wavelength, causing laser energy attenuation. Therefore, holmium laser fibers must use low-hydroxyl (Low-OH) quartz fiber to maintain low transmission loss in this band. 2. End-face Damage Resistance Holmium laser is pulsed, with each pulse delivering several joules of energy. The fiber end-face withstands extremely high power densities. Improper end-face preparation or microscopic defects can cause end-face burn during use. A significant portion of clinical fiber failures trace back to end-face quality issues. 3. Bending Performance Holmium laser fibers pass through endoscope working channels into the body, bending with the scope as it navigates. The fiber must maintain low loss while bent and must not break. This is why smaller-diameter fibers are preferred for flexible ureteroscopy — thinner fibers navigate tighter bends and narrower channels. III. Key Clinical Applications Holmium laser fibers are used primarily in the following areas: Urinary Stone Treatment This is the largest-volume application for holmium laser fibers, including kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones. Endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy achieves a single-session success rate of over 95%, reaching 100% for bladder stones. By comparison, the success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is only 20% to 60%. Prostate Hyperplasia Treatment Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a rapidly growing minimally invasive procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia, offering less bleeding, faster recovery, and lower recurrence rates. Other Soft Tissue Surgeries This includes ureteral stricture incision, bladder tumor resection, and urethral stricture incision. Holmium laser provides simultaneous precise cutting and coagulation hemostasis. IV. Selection Guide: Key Parameters For procurement and clinical use, the following parameters are the core considerations when selecting holmium laser fibers: Parameter Description Clinical Significance Core diameter Multiple options available, from fine to large Fine fibers suit flexible scopes; larger diameters deliver higher power Wavelength matching Low loss at 2100nm band Ensures efficient laser energy delivery to target Connector interface Multiple standard options available Must match the laser generator output Sterility Single-use sterile vs. reusable Sterile type is ready to use, eliminates cross-infection risk Bend radius Smaller is better Determines compatibility with flexible endoscope working channels Key features of Hecho Technology's medical laser fiber products: Aspect Description Fiber material Low-hydroxyl quartz fiber Operating wavelength 2100nm (holmium laser) Core diameters Multiple specifications available Standard connectors SMA905, SMA906, FC, ST Transmission loss Low-loss design Product types Medical laser fiber, single-use sterile laser fiber V. Market Trends The medical laser fiber market continues to grow. The domestic market was valued at approximately 5.55 billion RMB in 2023 and is projected to reach 11 billion RMB by 2028. Minimally invasive surgery adoption and endoscopy technology upgrades are the primary growth drivers. Fiber technology is evolving in parallel: smaller-diameter fibers for flexible ureteroscopy enable higher surgical efficiency. Single-use sterile laser fibers are shifting from "optional" to "standard" to eliminate cross-infection risk from the source. The reprocessing and sterilization protocols for reusable fibers are being reevaluated under stricter regulatory requirements. Hecho Technology has obtained registration certification for medical laser fibers and is now capable of batch delivery. For holmium laser fiber selection or custom requirements, please contact the Hecho technical team. About Nanjing Hecho Technology Co., Ltd. Hecho Technology focuses on optical transmission solutions for medical, industrial, and scientific applications. Products include plastic optical fiber, glass fiber, quartz fiber, fiber bundles, light guides, and sensors, with OEM/ODM customization available. Website: www.gohecho.cn | Email: sales@gohecho.cn | Tel: (025)52374096