There are many variations on the LIM theme, Paddy. Some of the early ones were not very sophisticated. Don't forget that inductive loads are not unknown in operating theatres. Great big Matburn suction pumps, for example.
But it's an interesting question that you raise. My guess is that most loads (including the laser) would balance out as "neutral". That is slightly capacitive, or effectively resistive.
As an aside, don't forget also that RF gets generated in theatre, too. All in all, it's a pretty "hostile environment", electrically speaking.
