Selective laser firing for tissue safety

A method for operating a medical laser system to deliver laser energy to a target via an optical fiber, the method comprising:

• illuminating the target with electromagnetic radiation;
• sensing a signal reflected from the target in response to the electromagnetic radiation using a sensor;
• generating a reflect signal parameter from the reflected signal using control circuitry;
• generating a calibration curve indicating a relationship between values of the reflect signal parameter and corresponding fiber-to-target distances from a distal end of the optical fiber to an outer surface of the target;
• determining a rate of change in values of the reflect signal parameter over a plurality of fiber-to-target distances;
• determining whether the target is within a specific laser firing range based on a comparison between the determined rate of change and the generated calibration curve;
• and
• controllably adjusting at least one of an output setting of a laser source or a position of the distal end of the optical fiber relative to the target based at least in part on the determination of whether the target is within the specific laser firing range.