Abstract
We have developed a new device to effectively and quickly stop bleeding. The new device uses a small, 5 W diode laser to heat-up the tip of a modified medical forceps. The laser beam is totally contained within a protective enclosure, satisfying the requirements for a Class I laser system, which eliminates the need for protective eyewear. The new device is used in a manner similar to that of a bipolar electrocautery device. After visual location, the bleeding site or local vessel(s) is grabbed and clamped with the tips of the forceps-like instrument. The laser is then activated for a duration of typically 5 sec or until traditional visual or auditory clues such as local bubbling and popping indicate that the targeted site is effectively cauterized. When the laser is activated, the tip of the instrument is quickly heated up to effectively cauterize and weld the clamped tissue and blood vessels contained between the tips of the instrument, thus providing hemostasis. The new device was evaluated in animal models and compared with the monopolar and bipolar electrocautery, and also with the recently developed ultrasound technology. It has now been in clinical trials for abdominal surgery since September 1997.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 420-424 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 3590 |
| State | Published - 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1999 Lasers in Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems IX - San Jose, CA, USA Duration: 23 Jan 1999 → 24 Jan 1999 |