Abstract
A micro-water jet device that can be used for precise dissection of soft tissue in surgical procedures has been developed. The water jet is generated by irradiating a pulsed Ho:YAG laser, through an optical fiber, into a thin tube/catheter filled with water or a physiological saline solution. A micro-metallic nozzle of 100-200μm exit diameter has been connected to the end of the tube. Pulse laser irradiation within the tube evaporates water generating a vapor bubble, whose rapid expansion drives a micro-water jet through the tube exit. This laser induced micro-water jet can readily penetrate into soft tissue. The jet is applicable to neuroendoscopic surgery, treatment of cerebral thrombosis, intravascular drug delivery etc. The Ho:YAG laser has wavelength and pulse duration of 2.1μm and 350μs respectively. The laser energy is variable from 250 to 800mJ/pulse. The thermal effect and controllability of the jet were first investigated on a 10% gelatin layer which simulates soft tissue, and then the jet was used to dissect the ventricular wall of a cadaver rabbit. The result indicatea that the incision was well controlled, preserving capillary blood vessels thicker than 0.2 mm in diameter, and the collateral damage to the tissue was negligible.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 11700-11705 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |
| Event | 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit - Reno, NV, United States Duration: 2004 Jan 5 → 2004 Jan 8 |
Conference
| Conference | 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Reno, NV |
| Period | 04/1/5 → 04/1/8 |