A Study on a Laser Scanning System to Assist Microsurgery

概要

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In recent years, microsurgery or the conducting of surgical operations under a microscope, has become a frequent phenomena on the fields of ophthalmology, otohinolaryngology, orthopedics, brain surgery etc. In order to conduct the resection suturing of minute nerves and blood vessels under a microscope in such operations, it requires careful attention and a high level of dexterity on the part of the surgeon. In order to help surgeon conduct such an operation with safety and accuracy, robotics, image processing and measuring techniques and laser technology can be employed. We attempted to conduct the robot assisted resection, adhesion and the transplantation of the cornea of a pig and found that non-contact cutting method using laser would be more suitable for this operation to obtain a clear cut profile. Excimer laser is often used for cutting cornea on research level. Currently, we have worked on a laser scanning system which gives us high versatility of cutting lines and high accuracy of positioning of the beam. This paper describes the configuration of the system, measuring method and interactive software which simulates an operation on a monitor. Some results of measurements are also presented and discussed.