Smart Hyperspectral Imaging Laser Scalpel

To address the need for a smart scalpel that extends the surgeon's natural human capabilities, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Smart Hyperspectral Imaging Laser Scalpel (SHILS) system based on a lightweight smart scalpel, a multiwavelength laser delivery subsystem, and a hyperspectral imaging subsystem with smart real-time feedback control. This system delivers a laser pulse with tissue-optimized wavelength, power, and pulse duration that prevent unintended tissue damage. In combination with the hyperspectral imaging system with 0.5 nm spectral and 10 micron spatial resolution, the device has micrometer-level surgical accuracy with software with real-time tissue diagnostic algorithms. These functionalities will extend the use of a surgical scalpel beyond what is possible with a standard instrument to reduce surgical errors, improve recovery time, and reduce cost. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the SHILS system by prototyping the hardware subsystems and demonstrating their performance in a laboratory setting. In Phase II POC plans to build a fully functional prototype with real-time feedback control that will demonstrate capability to remove tissue while identifying the tissue.