Ablation with energy carried in fluid stream
Methods and systems for modifying tissue use a pressurized fluid stream carrying coherent light energy. The methods and systems may be used for resecting and debulking soft and hard biological tissues. The coherent light is focused within a stream of fluid to deliver energy to the tissue to be treated.
1. A medical method, comprising:
providing a water jet system, wherein the water jet system comprises a water jet fluid flush tube and an aspiration tube within a sheath;
endoscopically inserting the water jet system into a patient;
utilizing an imaging system to provide an image of the water jet system relative to the patient;
applying fluid from the water jet flush tube to create a cutting jet area to break apart tissue;
robotically controlling cutting motion by the water jet fluid flush tube to break apart the tissue by rotating and translating the water jet flush tube relative to the sheath; and
using the aspiration tube to remove the broken apart tissue via aspiration.
2. The medical method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching the water jet system to an arm.
3. The medical method of claim 2 , wherein the arm is a robotic arm, and wherein the robotic arm is coupled to the water jet system via an instrument driver.
4. The medical method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a saline solution.
5. The medical method of claim 1 , wherein the applying fluid includes modulating the flow.
6. The medical method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the water jet fluid flush tube and a portion of the aspiration tube are co-axially disposed relative to one another.
7. The medical method of claim 1 , wherein the cutting motion automatically resects a predefined volume.
8. The medical method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a flow characteristic of the water jet flush tube to treat the tissue to be broken apart.
9. A medical method, comprising:
providing a water jet system, wherein the water jet system comprises a water jet fluid flush tube and an aspiration tube within a sheath;
endoscopically inserting the water jet system into a patient;
utilizing an imaging system to provide an image of the water jet system relative to the patient;
applying fluid from the water jet flush tube to create a cutting jet area to break apart tissue;
robotically controlling cutting motion by the water jet fluid flush tube to break apart the tissue by rotating and translating the water jet flush tube relative to the sheath;
controlling a flow characteristic of the water jet flush tube to treat the tissue to be broken apart; and
using the aspiration tube to remove the broken apart tissue via aspiration.
10. The medical method of claim 9 , further comprising attaching the water jet system to an arm.
11. The medical method of claim 10 , wherein the arm is a robotic arm, and wherein the robotic arm is coupled to the water jet system via an instrument driver.
12. The medical method of claim 9 , wherein the fluid comprises a saline solution.
13. The medical method of claim 9 , wherein the applying fluid includes modulating the flow.
14. The medical method of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the water jet fluid flush tube and a portion of the aspiration tube are co-axially disposed relative to one another.
15. The medical method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting motion automatically resects a predefined volume.