by
Lauren Dubinsky, Senior Reporter | January 16, 2017
3. Smart scalpel
Research centers, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, MIT and the Sandia National Laboratory have developed smart scalpel technology for microsurgical procedures. It’s able to distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissue.
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Imaging technologies that can be used alongside the scalpel include spectroscopy, MR and mechanical and electrical impedance. Therapeutics could include radiation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, acoustic and RF mechanical energy.
The technology is currently being spun off to start-up companies. Livermore partnered with BioLuminate Inc. in San Jose to create Smart Probe and Sandia developed Smart Scalpel.
Sandia researcher examines the photomask
used to microfabricate Smart Scalpel
Smart Probe is inserted into the tissue and imaging is used to guide it to the tumor. Sensors on the tip of the probe measure optical, electrical and chemical properties that can distinguish healthy and cancerous tissues, and then detects five to seven known indicators of breast cancer.
The Smart Scalpel uses a dime-sized device called a biological microcavity laser to deploy optical reflectance spectroscopy to identify and target blood vessels in a vascular lesion. A focused laser beam is then used to perform thermal treatment.
Next: electromagnetic acoustic imaging
