They intend to develop a handheld device equipped with a laser and optical monitoring capabilities for more precise bone removal. Traditionally, spinal canal stenosis surgeries involve expanding the vertebral canal using a milling tool: Part of the posterior bony arch of a vertebra as well as parts of the intervertebral joints are thinned out and finally broken through. There is always a risk that the underlying meninges surrounding the nerve canal may be injured and cerebrospinal fluid may leak out. Such complications not only prolong the surgery itself but also the recovery time for patients.
To prevent such injuries, researchers aim to provide surgeons with visual process control. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables the visualization of tissue layers beneath the bone. Surgeons can thus determine how much bone they can remove without hitting the meninges. The laser allows for precise bone removal with an accuracy of 10-100 μm, making it an excellent tool for creating a precise passage to the nerve canal. A combination of milling and laser removal would be possible with this therapy.
In addition to optimizing laser parameters for bone removal and visual representation, LZH researchers are primarily focused on making future therapy practical. A handpiece, similar to an endoscope, should enable surgeons to adapt flexibly to the circumstances during surgery. The requirements for such a handheld device are being developed in collaboration with an experienced surgeon and are to undergo preclinical testing.
MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.
