Awake brain surgeries pose significant psychological challenges for patients. Traditional craniotomies—procedures involving the opening of the skull—often employ mechanical instruments that generate considerable noise and vibrations, making them difficult for conscious patients to endure. Consequently, such procedures are typically limited to specific cases, such as deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. More extensive interventions, like tumor removals, are usually performed under general anesthesia, despite the clinical benefits of patient communication during surgery.
A research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, led by Dr. Achim Lenenbach, is developing a solution: a robot-assisted laser procedure designed to perform craniotomies with minimal noise and vibration. As part of the STELLA project, the team is creating a laser cutting process that utilizes ultrashort laser pulses to make precise cuts in bone tissue without causing thermal damage to surrounding areas.
An integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) system monitors the cutting process in real-time, ensuring precision and protecting sensitive structures like the dura mater. The system automatically halts the laser once the bone is nearly fully penetrated, allowing the remaining thin layer to be removed manually. Additionally, a virtual system model is employed to optimize the procedure and simulate various clinical scenarios.
This innovative approach aims to facilitate more awake neurosurgical procedures, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes and enhanced quality of life for patients.
Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
