Ultrafast Surgical Laser Delivery for Depth-Selective Tissue Excision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical lasers for laryngeal and pharyngeal pathologies cause thermal trauma and collateral damage due to photothermal interactions, leading to complications such as hoarseness, pain, and vocal fatigue, and are not suitable for precise, depth-selective tissue excision or hemostasis.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ultrafast laser source, such as a femtosecond or picosecond laser, with depth-selective beam delivery systems, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) for precise visualization and a scanning assembly for controlled laser beam focusing, to perform non-invasive tissue excision and hemostasis without thermal trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical lasers are used for tissue excision, then tissue removal is achieved, but thermal trauma and collateral damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental laser parameter from continuous wave to ultrafast pulsed operation (femtosecond or picosecond duration). This parameter change enables precise tissue excision through photodisruption and plasma-induced ablation without the thermal trauma associated with conventional continuous or long-pulse lasers, directly resolving the contradiction between excision precision and thermal damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic ultrafast laser pulses with durations of femtoseconds to picoseconds. This periodic action delivers energy in extremely short bursts that create plasma and shockwaves for precise tissue ablation before heat can diffuse to surrounding tissues, achieving high precision excision without thermal collateral damage
2Reliability
If conventional lasers are used for hemostasis, then bleeding control is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes laser parameters to ultrafast pulsed mode with controlled fluence and repetition rates. This enables hemostasis through precise coagulation of blood vessels via photodisruption and localized plasma formation, achieving reliable bleeding control without the extensive thermal damage to surrounding tissues that occurs with conventional lasers
3Temperature
If photothermal laser interactions are used, then tissue heating for coagulation is achieved, but vocal cord function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from photothermal heating to photodisruption and plasma-induced ablation mechanisms through ultrafast pulsed operation. This achieves tissue coagulation and hemostasis through mechanical shockwaves and localized plasma formation rather than thermal heating, preserving vocal cord elasticity and function while maintaining hemostasis effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic ultrafast pulses with durations far shorter than thermal diffusion timescales. This periodic action creates localized plasma and shockwaves for precise tissue modification and coagulation before heat can accumulate and damage vocal cord elasticity, preserving vocal function while achieving hemostasis
4Use of energy by moving object
If traditional laser delivery systems are used, then laser energy delivery is achieved, but depth selectivity and precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical focusing and delivery systems with optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance and ultrafast optical processing. OCT provides real-time depth-resolved imaging to precisely locate tissue targets at specific depths, while ultrafast laser pulses deliver energy with micrometer-scale precision through optical breakdown, achieving depth-selective excision impossible with conventional mechanical delivery systems
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
The ultrafast laser system provides precise, non-thermal tissue excision and hemostasis with minimal collateral damage, improving clinical outcomes by reducing complications and enhancing surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical laser beam can be delivered to a tissue site to modify tissue, for example, by excision or to facilitate hemostasis
Implementation Method 2
The optical system can be configured to deliver the surgical laser beam to a treatment site, for example, using photodisruption or plasma-induced ablation
Implementation Method 3
the respective beams comprising a surgical laser beam comprising monochromatic coherent pulsed light, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) beam comprising incoherent polychromatic light or coherent laser light having a varying wavelength
Implementation Method 4
The optical system can controllably co-focus the respective beams, and a movable platform can adjust an orientation of the scanning assembly and optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and techniques described herein can include delivery of a surgical laser beam for tissue excision or to facilitate hemostasis. The surgical laser beam can be generated, for example, using an ultrafast laser source. Such an approach can provide non-invasive treatment in relation to, for example, aerodigestive anatomy, such as for treatment of laryngeal, oropharyngeal, bronchial, and oral cavity tissues. Other generally available laser sources and their associated treatments may present various drawbacks making them less suitable for treatment for laryngeal, pharyngeal or bronchial pathologies, and use of the apparatus and techniques described herein can address such drawbacks.