Robotic Laser Surgery with λ=2.8μm Microlaser in Neurosurgery

Abstract

Conventional surgery has limitations in completely resecting malignant brain tumors because of the need to avoid damaging healthy brain tissue, leading to the need to develop robotic alternatives in neurosurgery. Computer-controlled robotic surgery was developed using a λ =2.8 μ m microlaser device that is less invasive and more precise compared to conventional surgery in tumor ablation and minimizes damage to healthy tissue. In dissected porcine brain experiments the microlaser device was able to ablate the brain surface finely and shallowly in evaporation etching manner and the surrounding brain tissue was sustained undisturbed, indicating that this device is feasible for use in robotic surgery in resecting brain tissue.