Water Jet Tools for Use in Human Surgery - amazing research!

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Undersea tools with powerful jets of water are being redesigned to

cut human bone and tissue

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=15328

Robust cutting technology designed to withstand the rigours of the

North Sea could soon be adapted to perform delicate surgery, thanks

to engineers at the University of Edinburgh.

Tools which can sever undersea cables using powerful jets of water

are being redesigned to cut human bone and tissue in hospital

operating theatres. Trials suggest that a new generation of surgical

water jet tools could offer greater speed and accuracy than existing

medical instruments.

Surgical cutting tools have changed surprisingly little since

medieval times, but they are inexpensive, manoeuvrable and popular

with surgeons. They do, however, have drawbacks which water jet tools

could overcome.

Sawing with a serrated blade can, for example, cause heat damage to

surrounding tissue, killing otherwise healthy cells and inhibiting

healing. Procedures using these instruments can also produce a lot of

bone debris and carry a risk of infection. Additionally, the tools

have a limited lifespan and sometimes lack adaptability.

Water jet tools would minimise trauma to surrounding tissue and

reduce blood loss because there is no physical contact with the

patient. They would also make cleaner cuts and offer greater

precision which would reduce operating times.

Researchers now hope to overcome some of the disadvantages, which

include excessive noise and water splash back. They also want to

scale down the tools for theatre use and make them operable at lower

water pressures. A detailed feasibility study, seeking the views of

surgeons, will be carried out in due course.

" This type of technology has been used for about 25 years in the

North Sea, where the speed and accuracy is desirable because divers'

time is so expensive, " explained Professor Joe McGeough, of the

University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering and Electronics.

" Now it could offer real benefits in the medical field. By speaking

to a number of surgeons, I became aware of the difficulties

associated with conventional cutting tools used in theatre, even

though surgeons are, for the most part, happy using them.

" We are keen to develop a high pressure water jet scalpel which

offers flexibility, and is quick and comfortable for a surgeon to

use. "

http://www.ed.ac.uk