Pulsed Laser Tissue Removal via Spinodal Decomposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tools for tissue removal, such as scalpels and energy delivery devices, often cause thermal or mechanical damage to adjacent tissues, and existing laser systems are inefficient for precise and fast tissue cutting, especially in endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based tissue removal method using pulsed laser energy with wavelengths between 1400 and 2500 nm, delivered through silica optical fibers, which induces Flash Vaporization by heating the tissue above a spinodal decomposition threshold, preventing stress and heat propagation, and allowing for efficient ejection of tissue with minimal adjacent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF devices are used for tissue removal, then tissue cutting is achieved through thermal and/or plasma mediated mechanisms, but thermal injury occurs in the tissue adjacent to the cut
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed laser delivery instead of continuous wave laser, delivering energy in short bursts (microseconds to milliseconds duration) to allow thermal diffusion between pulses, thereby achieving tissue ablation while limiting thermal damage to adjacent tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes specific wavelength selection (1400-2500 nm range where water absorption is high) and controls pulse duration and repetition rate to optimize the balance between ablation efficiency and thermal damage minimization, changing the physical parameters of energy delivery
2Object-affected harmful factors
If prior laser systems are used for tissue removal, then tissue ablation is achieved, but the cutting rate is slow and thermal injury occurs in the tissue adjacent to the cut
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-repetition-rate pulsed laser delivery (e.g., >100 Hz) to maintain high cutting rates while keeping individual pulse durations short enough to limit thermal diffusion, achieving both speed and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous train of laser pulses with appropriate repetition rates to maintain continuous cutting action without allowing thermal accumulation in adjacent tissues, keeping the useful ablation action continuous while managing thermal effects
3Manufacturing precision
If UV based laser systems are used for tissue ablation, then tissue removal is achieved with shallow per pulse penetration depths, but the overall ablation rate is slow and fiber delivery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts from UV wavelengths to infrared wavelengths (1400-2500 nm) where water absorption is stronger, enabling deeper penetration per pulse and faster overall ablation rates while maintaining precision through pulsed delivery and appropriate spot size control
4Productivity
If mechanical instruments are used for tissue removal, then tissue cutting is achieved, but mechanical trauma is induced to the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting instruments with optical (laser) energy delivery, using photothermal and photomechanical effects to ablate tissue without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating mechanical trauma while maintaining efficient tissue removal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fast and precise tissue cutting with minimal thermal or mechanical damage, achieving high cutting rates and efficient tissue removal without residual injury to adjacent tissue, suitable for a variety of tissue types and endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
heating the tissue above a spinodal decomposition threshold, preventing stress and heat propagation
Implementation Method 2
A laser-based tissue removal method using pulsed laser energy with wavelengths between 1400 and 2500 nm
Implementation Method 3
delivered through silica optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A laser can produce pulses of light energy to eject a volume of the tissue, and the energy can be delivered to a treatment site through a waveguide, such as a fiber optic waveguide. The incident laser energy can be absorbed within a volume of the target tissue with a tissue penetration depth and pulse direction such that the propagation of the energy from the tissue volume is inhibited and such that the target tissue within the volume reaches the spinodal threshold of decomposition and ejects the volume, for example without substantial damage to tissue adjacent the ejected volume.