Minimally invasive laser surgery

Within the framework of minimally invasive laser surgery, we are currently researching on several projects (including the UltraLas project) to investigate and optimize the coagulation and cutting of tissue using suitable laser radiation for various applications. The spectral range at wavelengths of 1.5 - 3 µm is particularly suitable for such an infrared laser scalpel, since water, the main component of soft tissue, is particularly strongly absorbed here. Suitable lasers are continuous or pulsed fiber lasers, which are now also available in this spectral range, or solid-state lasers such as the holmium laser at 2.1 µm. The thulium fiber laser, in which the wavelength between 1.8 and 2.1 µm can be freely selected, is particularly suitable. Standard multimode quartz fibers are used to transmit the laser power to the application site. These fibers are directed directly or via specially designed laser probes (laser scalpel) onto the tissue.

 

The figure shows a tissue section (top left) and the corresponding histology (bottom left) in the area of the thermal coagulation zone at the edge of the cut. The dissection was performed with a laser scalpel (right side)

Own publications, peer reviewed:
1.  Theisen-Kunde D, Ott V, Brinkmann R, Keller R. Potential of a new cw 2µm laser scalpel for laparoscopic surgery. Medical laser application 2007; 22:139-145.
2.  Brinkmann R, Knipper A, Dröge G, Schroer F, Gromoll B, Birngruber R. Fundamental Studies of Fiber-Guided Soft Tissue Cutting by Means of Pulsed Midinfrared IR lasers and their Application in Ureterotomy. J Biomed Optics 1998; 3(1):85-95.