Development of a Novel Laser Instrument for Advanced Medical Applications

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的主要目标是开发一种全新类型的激光系统，这将为各种临床应用（包括微创手术、外科手术和内窥镜）的重大进展铺平道路。目前，大多数商业激光系统缺乏灵活性和多功能性，严重限制了医疗激光的应用。这些系统通常以单一的固定波长发射光，这使得每个激光器适用于非常窄的应用范围。例如，通过消融去除组织需要红外光谱区域中的波长，通常在2000和3000 nm之间。对于给定手术任务最佳的确切波长取决于组织的结构特性和含水量。因此，具有在大光谱范围内调谐波长以优化切口参数（即，消融轮廓、附带细胞损伤等）的能力。会非常有益此外，在任何手术过程中保持良好的可视化是手术有效性和结果的关键。体内平衡和凝固的控制也可以通过激光来实现，然而，在与消融不同的波长范围内。我们的仪器将提供同步双波长输出，允许同时切割组织和控制伤口出血。该提案将重点关注新型台式激光仪器的组装、测试和临床表征。由于其全固态结构，激光仪器将非常坚固，可靠，紧凑和便携。玻璃纤维光学器件将用于将功率输送到笔形手柄，该笔形手柄能够以高精度和前所未有的控制将激光输出灵活地输送到靶组织。或者，激光功率可以通过内窥镜（或腹腔镜）输送，以在密闭空间内切割和控制出血。我们的愿景是，目前使用更传统的手术入路进行的手术可以转换为最小入路。在主要为控制出血而保留宽曝光的情况下尤其如此。这种新的激光工具的灵活性将减轻这种担忧。最小入路通过降低脑操作的发病率和并发症来改善患者的预后。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The main objective of this project is to develop a completely new type of laser system, which will pave the way for significant advances in a variety of clinical applications that encompass minimally invasive procedures, surgeries and endoscopies. Currently, the application of medical lasers is starkly limited by the lack of flexibility and versatility of most commercial laser systems. These systems typically emit light at a single, fixed wavelength which renders each laser suitable for a very narrow range of applications. For example, the removal of tissue via ablation requires a wavelength in the infrared spectral region, typically between 2000 and 3000 nm. The exact wavelength that is optimal for a given surgical task depends on the structural properties and water content of the tissue, Thus, having the ability to tune the wavelength across a large spectral range to optimize the incision parameters (i.e. ablation profile, collateral cell damage etc.) would be highly beneficial. In addition, to maintain good visualization during any operation is key for the effectiveness and the outcome of the procedure. Control of homeostasis and coagulation can be achieved through laser light as well, however, in a different wavelength range than ablation. Our instrument will provide a simultaneous dual wavelengths output which allows tissue cutting and the control of wound bleeding at the same time. This proposal will focus on the assembly, testing and clinical characterization of the new table-top laser instrument. Due to its all-solid-state construction, the laser instrument will be very robust, reliable, compact and portable. Glass fiber optics will be used to deliver the power to a pen-size hand piece that enables flexible delivery of the laser output to the target tissue with high-precision and unprecedented control. Alternatively, the laser power can be delivered through an endoscope (or laparoscope) to both cut and control bleeding in confined spaces. It is our vision that procedures currently being done with more traditional surgical access, may be converted to minimal access. This is especially the case where wide exposure is retained principally for the control of hemorrhage. This concern would be alleviated by the flexibility of this new laser tool. Minimal access improves patient outcomes by reducing the morbidity and complications of brain manipulation.