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Refreshing Articular Cartilage Defects by Laser Ablation - Parameter Optimization and Validation
Cartilage damage in the knee joint can be caused by aging or repetitive actions. It can be treated by surgically removing the damaged cartilage tissue and filling the generated defect with a precisely shaped, healthy cartilage graft. Removing the defected cartilage is commonly done with surgical curettes. We are investigating the use of laser ablation for a more precise defect preparation process. With two different lasers, we managed to obain promising results regarding cell viability in live samples. However, laser parameters such as pulse frequency and energy need to be optimized towards higher cutting efficiency. Your task will be to prepare a setup to test, optimize, and validate various parameter sets using different lasers for articular cartilage ablation.
Cartilage damage in the knee joint can be caused by aging or repetitive actions. It can be treated by surgically removing the damaged cartilage tissue and filling the generated defect with a precisely shaped, healthy cartilage graft. Nowadays, removing the defected cartilage is done manually using surgical curettes or scalpels. This approach is simple and quick, but only provides limited cutting accuracy. Moreover, removing defected cartilage exactly down to subchondral bone is not possible by hand. However, regenerative grafts will only reintegrate and survive if placed in the correct layer without leaving defective cartilage behind. Thus, we are developing a system leveraging robotic positioning and laser light for precise, controlled, and contactless tissue ablation.
Cartilage damage in the knee joint can be caused by aging or repetitive actions. It can be treated by surgically removing the damaged cartilage tissue and filling the generated defect with a precisely shaped, healthy cartilage graft. Nowadays, removing the defected cartilage is done manually using surgical curettes or scalpels. This approach is simple and quick, but only provides limited cutting accuracy. Moreover, removing defected cartilage exactly down to subchondral bone is not possible by hand. However, regenerative grafts will only reintegrate and survive if placed in the correct layer without leaving defective cartilage behind. Thus, we are developing a system leveraging robotic positioning and laser light for precise, controlled, and contactless tissue ablation.
As of now, we have used Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers to ablate pathologic and live articular cartilage samples, with promising results regarding cell viability in live samples. However, laser parameters such as pulse frequency and energy need to be optimized towards higher cutting efficiency, all while ensuring that cells close to the cut are not being mechanically damaged or carbonized. Your task will be to prepare a setup to test various parameter sets for different lasers, to optimize them for articular cartilage ablation, and to validate them by ablating live cartilage samples and performing histological analyses to check for cell damages.
As of now, we have used Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers to ablate pathologic and live articular cartilage samples, with promising results regarding cell viability in live samples. However, laser parameters such as pulse frequency and energy need to be optimized towards higher cutting efficiency, all while ensuring that cells close to the cut are not being mechanically damaged or carbonized. Your task will be to prepare a setup to test various parameter sets for different lasers, to optimize them for articular cartilage ablation, and to validate them by ablating live cartilage samples and performing histological analyses to check for cell damages.