Researchers create ultrasound needle for internal surgical images
It provides doctors with real-time views of tissue during minimally invasive surgeries.
Minimally invasive surgeries are appealing because they typically mean less scar tissue, shorter recovery times and a lower risk of infection. But they have their downsides as well. Getting a good look at the tissue being targeted during a minimally invasive surgery can be quite difficult, and often surgeons are limited to using external ultrasound probes and imaging scans taken prior to surgery. But new research published today in Light: Science & Applications presents a potential new option -- an optical ultrasound needle.
Within the needle are two optical fibers. One generates ultrasonic pulses by delivering brief flashes of light and the other detects the light that's reflected by the tissues in the body. "The whole process happens extremely quickly, giving an unprecedented real-time view of soft tissue," Richard Colchester, an author of the study, said in a statement. "Using inexpensive optical fibres, we have been able to achieve high resolution imaging using needle tips under 1 mm," said co-author Adrien Desjardins.
So far, the researchers have tested the ultrasound needle during heart surgery in pigs and they hope to test it out in other clinical applications that use minimally invasive techniques as well. They're also working towards using the technology in humans. You can check out the video below for more info on the needle.
