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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2003; 46(2): 121-125
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39339
Technical Note
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Holmium:YAG Laser-Induced Liquid Jet Dissector: A Novel Prototype Device for Dissecting Organs without Impairing Vessels

T.  Hirano1 , H.  Uenohara2 , M.  Komatsu3 , A.  Nakagawa1 , M.  Satoh3 , H.  Ohyama4 , K.  Takayama3 , T.  Yoshimoto1
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Sendai National Hospital, Sendai, Japan
  • 3Shock Wave Research Center, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
  • 4Department of Neurosurgery, Senseki Hospital, Yamoto, Japan
The authors acknowledge the help of Toshihiro Ogawa and Hidenori Ojima, the staff of the Shock Wave Research Center, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) obtained from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology No. 123 070 28.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
22 May 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Background and Objective: Neurosurgery has long required a method for dissecting brain tissue without damaging principal vessels and adjacent tissue, so as to prevent neurological complications after operation. In this study we fabricated such a prototype device and used it in an attempt to resect an animal liver, which, like the brain, contains many vessels.

Materials and Methods: The prototype device consisted of a jet nozzle and a suction tube. Pulsed liquid jets at 3 Hz were ejected from the nozzle by a pulsed holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser at an irradiation energy of 230 mJ/pulse. The profile of the liquid jet was observed with a high-speed camera. With this device, liver dissections of anesthetized rabbits were attempted while measuring the local temperature of the target. A histological study of the incised parts was also performed.

Results: The liquid jet was emitted straight from the nozzle at an initial velocity of 38 m/sec. The liver parenchyma was cut with the device while preserving the tiny vessels and keeping the operative field clear. The local temperature rose to no more than 314 K (below the heat damage threshold of brain tissue). In the histological findings, there were no signs of hepatic degeneration or necrosis around the dissected margin.

Conclusions: The Ho:YAG laser-induced liquid jet dissector can be applied to neurosurgical operations after incorporating some minor improvements.

Key words

Holmium:YAG laser - laser-induced liquid jet - minimally invasive surgery - tissue cutting

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Takayuki Hirano, M. D. 

Department of Neurosurgery · Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

1-1, Seiryou-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574 · Japan

Phone: +81-22-717-7230

Fax: +81-22-717-7233

Email: taka1789@aol.com