Optical Ultrasound Probe Aids in Keyhole Surgeries

Dec-02-17 A new optical ultrasound probe could help guide surgeons during keyhole surgeries.

Developed by a team from UCL in cooperation with Queen Mary University of London, the optical probe relies on a specially built fiber-optic ultrasound generator and optical fiber sensor, which are embedded in a customized surgical needle. The system detects the ultrasound waves and transmits the data to a system that translates the information into high-resolution images.

According to study co-lead Dr. Malcolm Finlay, “The optical ultrasound needle is perfect for procedures where there is a small tissue target that is hard to see during keyhole surgery using current methods and missing it could have disastrous consequences.”

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