Precision resection of intestine using ultrashort laser pulses

Rainer J Beck, Wojciech Stanisław Góra, David Jayne, Duncan Paul Hand, Jonathan D Shephard

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

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Endoscopic resection of early colorectal neoplasms typically employs electrocautery tools, which lack precision and run the risk of full thickness thermal injury to the bowel wall with subsequent perforation. We present a means of endoluminal colonic ablation using picosecond laser pulses as a potential alternative to mitigate these limitations. High intensity ultrashort laser pulses enable nonlinear absorption processes, plasma generation, and as a consequence a predominantly non-thermal ablation regimen.
Robust process parameters for the laser resection are demonstrated using fresh ex vivo pig intestine samples. Square cavities with comparable thickness to early colorectal neoplasms are removed for a wavelength of 1030 nm and 515 nm using a picosecond laser system. The corresponding histology sections exhibit in both cases only minimal collateral damage to the surrounding tissue. The ablation depth can be controlled precisely by means of the pulse energy. Overall, the application of ultrafast lasers for the resection of intestine enables significantly improved precision and reduced thermal damage to the surrounding tissue compared to conventional electrocautery.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXVII
EditorsE. Duco Jansen
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781628419405
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Mar 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSPIE
Volume9706
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Precision resection of intestine using ultrashort laser pulses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this