Correct calibration procedure for the Q-switched ruby laser and checking the treatment irradiation pattern.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are many Q-switched lasers. The Q-switched ruby laser is the one most popularly used in dermatology, aesthetic surgery and plastic surgery, to remove pigmented lesions or tattoos. Correct and regular calibration of such a system is essential. However, some clinics fail to perform this with the excuse of having no measuring instrument (MI) in their offices or treatment rooms in some of their hospitals or clinics, or even the case of well-known medical universities in Japan. The present article explains the precise calibration procedure and beam pattern checking for the Q-switched ruby systems in the first author's clinic. RATIONALE: In the case of treatment with a medical laser, the calibration and the irradiated pattern (IP) check of the laser being used for treatment are the most important factors for treatment efficacy and safety. If these factors change, the treatment result could be different from that expected. Such kind of data are not acceptable as scientific information for a presentation or published paper. With such unreliable results and incorrect beam pattern, replicating such a study would be impossible Regular calibration check: In our clinic, we have 2 Q-switched ruby laser systems. On a daily basis, the beam patterns, both the optical axis of the beam and its treatment footprint, are checked on dedicated printed sheets and footprint paper, respectively, at the beginning of the day and after the last procedure. Every two weeks we calibrate our systems in-house using a precise MI. Every six months we calibrate the systems in-house with the MI, and then we send the systems back to the manufacturers for calibration. Once every year, we have our MI calibrated by an accredited facility in Japan. In this way, we are not only ensuring accurate and safe treatment for our patients, but we are also producing accurate system and treatment data which can be replicated by others, the basis of evidence-based medicine.