Precision machining of pig intestine using ultrafast laser pulses

Rainer J. Beck, Wojciech Stanisław Góra, Richard M. Carter, Sonny Gunadi, David Jayne, Duncan P. Hand, Jonathan D. Shephard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Endoluminal surgery for the treatment of early stage colorectal cancer is typically based on electrocautery tools which imply restrictions on precision and the risk of harm through collateral thermal damage to the healthy tissue. As a potential alternative to mitigate these drawbacks we present laser machining of pig intestine by means of picosecond laser pulses. The high intensities of an ultrafast laser enable nonlinear absorption processes and a predominantly nonthermal ablation regime. Laser ablation results of square cavities with comparable thickness to early stage colorectal cancers are presented for a wavelength of 1030 nm using an industrial picosecond laser. The corresponding histology sections exhibit only minimal collateral damage to the surrounding tissue. The depth of the ablation can be controlled precisely by means of the pulse energy. Overall, the application of ultrafast lasers to ablate pig intestine enables significantly improved precision and reduced thermal damage to the surrounding tissue compared to conventional techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII
EditorsLothar D. Lilg, Ronald Sroka
PublisherSPIE
Volume9542
ISBN (Print)9781628417074
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII - Munich, Germany
Duration: 21 Jun 201523 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume9542
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityMunich
Period21/06/1523/06/15

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Endoluminal surgery
  • Laser surgery
  • Plasma mediated ablation
  • Ultrafast laser ablation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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