Laser scalpel

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A laser scalpel (also laser scalpel ) is a scalpel that cuts tissue by evaporation with the energy of a laser beam . There are surgical laser scalpels, laser microtomes and device-based micro or nano laser scalpels.

In ophthalmology , femtosecond lasers are used as a laser scalpel as an alternative to the microkeratome for flap incisions, for example in Femto-LASIK .

Among the other areas of surgery, neurosurgery , thoracic surgery and vascular surgery are the main areas of application of the laser scalpel, along with dermatology and minimally invasive surgery . Solid-state lasers and CO 2 lasers are used as light sources, and research is being carried out at individual universities into the use of the tunable free-electron laser .

A big advantage is that blood vessels are closed directly and the wounds do not bleed, so you can operate dry.

In biological research, special micro laser scalpels (sometimes called nano laser scalpels ) are used that can cut structures smaller than a cell .

literature

  • David H. Sliney, Stephen L. Trokel: Medical lasers and their safe use. Springer, New York NY et al. 1993, ISBN 3-540-97856-9 .
  • Leon Danaila, Mihail-Lucian Pascu: Lasers in Neurosurgery. Editura Academiei Române, Bucharest 2001, ISBN 9-732-70802-6 .
  • KK Jain: Handbook of Laser Neurosurgery. Thomas, Springfield IL 1983, ISBN 0-398-04844-4 .