Development of a Novel Laser Instrument for Advanced Medical Applications

描述(申请人提供)：该项目的主要目标是开发一种全新的激光系统，它将为各种临床应用的重大进展铺平道路，包括微创程序、手术和内窥镜。目前，大多数商业激光系统缺乏灵活性和通用性，严重限制了医用激光的应用。这些系统通常发射单一固定波长的光，这使得每个激光器适合于非常狭窄的应用范围。例如，通过消融切除组织需要红外光谱区的波长，通常在2000到3000纳米之间。对于给定的手术任务而言，最佳的确切波长取决于组织的结构特性和水分含量，因此，能够在较大的光谱范围内调整波长以优化切开参数(例如，消融轮廓、侧支细胞损伤等)。将是非常有益的。此外，在任何手术过程中保持良好的视觉效果是手术效果和结果的关键。然而，在与消融不同的波长范围内，也可以通过激光实现动态平衡和凝固的控制。我们的仪器将提供同步的双波长输出，允许同时切割组织和控制伤口出血。该提案将重点放在新台式激光仪器的组装、测试和临床特征上。由于其全固态结构，激光仪器将非常坚固、可靠、紧凑和便携。玻璃纤维光学将被用来向钢笔大小的手机提供能量，使激光输出能够以高精度和前所未有的控制灵活地传输到目标组织。或者，激光能量可以通过内窥镜(或腹腔镜)传递，以在有限的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途径进行的手术，可能会转变为最小限度的途径。尤其是在主要是为了控制出血而保留广泛暴露的情况下。这种新的激光工具的灵活性将缓解这种担忧。通过减少脑操作的发病率和并发症，最小限度的访问改善了患者的预后。

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.