Surgical Laser Tool with Optical Feedback for In Vivo Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser surgery is limited in clinical use due to difficulties in obtaining sufficient tissue samples for histopathological analysis, as it primarily relies on tissue vaporization or chipping, making it challenging for definitive diagnosis post-surgery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser tool comprising a laser source, fiber catheter, and analytical device that acquires optical feedback and delivers laser energy, allowing for in vivo diagnosis and analysis of reflected light to guide surgical procedures and potentially reduce the need for post-surgical tissue sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser surgery is performed using tissue vaporization or chipping, then surgical effectiveness is improved, but tissue sample collection for histopathological analysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by collecting tissue samples before laser ablation destroys them. The system uses a biopsy device to obtain tissue samples prior to laser treatment, ensuring sufficient material is available for histopathological analysis while maintaining the effectiveness of laser surgery for tissue removal or vaporization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the surgical process into distinct phases: first performing biopsy to collect tissue samples, then performing laser ablation for treatment. This segmentation allows both functions (sample collection and effective treatment) to be accomplished without interference, as the biopsy is performed on intact tissue before laser destruction occurs
2Measurement precision
If histopathological analysis is performed as the golden standard for final diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but post-surgical tissue sampling becomes challenging with laser surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biopsy to collect adequate tissue samples before laser ablation destroys the target tissue. This ensures that sufficient material is available for definitive histopathological analysis, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while accommodating the laser surgery approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary biopsy device that bridges the gap between laser surgery and histopathological analysis. This intermediary tool enables tissue sample collection without requiring the laser to preserve tissue, allowing diagnostic accuracy to be maintained through separate sample acquisition and treatment phases
3Productivity
If laser surgery is widely employed in clinics, then patient benefits (less hospitalization time, reduced pain) are improved, but tissue sample collection for final diagnosis remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biopsy to collect tissue samples before laser ablation, ensuring that adequate material is obtained for final diagnosis. This approach enables laser surgery to be widely adopted for its patient benefits while maintaining the capability for definitive histopathological analysis through pre-treatment sample collection
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 real-time diagnostic feedback during surgery, facilitating precise procedures and reducing the need for histopathological analysis, thereby increasing the effectiveness and adoption of laser surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source configured to generate laser energy
Implementation Method 2
The optical device couples light generated by the imaging light source and laser energy generated by the surgical laser to the fiber bundle
Implementation Method 3
The analytical device is configured to analyze reflected light from the treatment site
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical laser tool for performing a laser procedure at a treatment site is provided. The surgical laser tool includes a laser source, a fiber catheter, and an analytical device. The laser source is configured to generate laser energy. The fiber catheter is configured to (i) acquire optical feedback from the treatment site and (ii) deliver the laser energy to the treatment site. The analytical device is configured to analyze reflected light from the treatment site in order to allow a physician to perform a diagnosis on the treatment site.