A method for photoselective vaporization of uterine tissue includes delivering laser radiation to the treatment area on the tissue, via an optical fiber for example, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and irradiance in the treatment area on the surface of the tissue sufficient because vaporization of a substantially greater volume of tissue than a volume of residual coagulated tissue caused by the laser radiation. The laser radiation is generated using a neodymium doped solid-state laser, including optics producing a second or higher harmonic output with greater than 60 watts average output power. The delivered laser radiation has a wavelength for example in a range of about 200 nm to about 650 nm, and has an average irradiance in the treatment area greater than about 10 kilowatts/cm.sup.2, in a spot size of at least 0.05 mm.sup.2.
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/358,356, entitled METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF GYNECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS USING A HIGH POWER LASER IN CONJUNCTION WITH A HYSTEROSCOPE, filed 22 Feb. 2002.
The present application is related to, and incorporates by reference as if fully set forth herein, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/278,723, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PHOTOSELECTIVE VAPORIZATION OF THE PROSTATE, AND OTHER TISSUE, filed 23 Oct. 2002;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/737,721, entitled METHODS FOR LASER TREATMENT OF SOFT TISSUE, filed 15 Dec. 2000; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/279,087, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY (BPH), invented by Murray, et al.; filed: 23 Oct. 2002
