Deeper and more precise cuts
New laser cuts bone significantly deeper than before
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a laser capable of cutting bone to a depth of up to 4.5 centimetres. This significantly outperforms previous systems and opens up new possibilities for surgery.
Lasers allow for precise, contactless cuts and can reduce micro-cracks in bone. However, their use has been limited to date, as the cutting depth was insufficient for many applications: previous bone-cutting lasers only reach two to three centimetres.
New beam profile
Instead of increasing the energy, the team altered the shape of the laser beam. Whilst the standard Gaussian profile concentrates the energy in the centre, the ‘top-hat’ profile distributes it evenly. This allows the laser to cut more efficiently and quickly.
Tests on bovine bones confirmed the greater cutting depth. However, the method is still too slow for clinical use: the laser removes significantly less material than a mechanical saw. The researchers aim to further improve the procedure.
