Holmium:YAG Laser-Induced Liquid Jet Dissector: A Novel Prototype Device for Dissecting Organs without Impairing Vessels

Abstract

Background and Objective: Neurosurgery has long required a method for dissecting brain tissue without damaging principal vessels and adjacent tissue, so as to prevent neurological complications after operation. In this study we fabricated such a prototype device and used it in an attempt to resect an animal liver, which, like the brain, contains many vessels.

Materials and Methods: The prototype device consisted of a jet nozzle and a suction tube. Pulsed liquid jets at 3 Hz were ejected from the nozzle by a pulsed holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser at an irradiation energy of 230 mJ/pulse. The profile of the liquid jet was observed with a high-speed camera. With this device, liver dissections of anesthetized rabbits were attempted while measuring the local temperature of the target. A histological study of the incised parts was also performed.

Results: The liquid jet was emitted straight from the nozzle at an initial velocity of 38 m/sec. The liver parenchyma was cut with the device while preserving the tiny vessels and keeping the operative field clear. The local temperature rose to no more than 314 K (below the heat damage threshold of brain tissue). In the histological findings, there were no signs of hepatic degeneration or necrosis around the dissected margin.

Conclusions: The Ho:YAG laser-induced liquid jet dissector can be applied to neurosurgical operations after incorporating some minor improvements.

Key words

Holmium:YAG laser - laser-induced liquid jet - minimally invasive surgery - tissue cutting

References

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