What is thermal laser ablation?
Thermal ablation is also called laser interstitial thermal therapy or LITT procedure. It is a type of epilepsy surgery that involves placing a small probe in the area of the brain where seizures start. An MRI is used to guide the probe. The probe uses heat to “ablate” (destroy) the area causing the seizures.
Is brain ablation still used today?
Results: Ablative treatments have been used for several neurological disorders, including movement disorders, psychiatric disorders, chronic pain, drug-resistant epilepsy and brain tumors. Conclusions: There are several ongoing efforts to use novel ablative therapies directed towards the brain.
What type of laser is Visualase?
The Visualase system, approved by the FDA in 2007, has a 980-nm diode continuous laser with a saline cooled diffusing applicator tip.
Is laser resurfacing painful?
Is laser skin resurfacing painful? No. As a matter of fact, laser skin resurfacing is even more gentle than a chemical peel. No local or general anesthesia is required prior to the treatment.
What happens to vein after laser ablation?
A laser fiber will be put into the catheter. As your healthcare provider slowly pulls out the catheter, the laser will heat up the length of the vein. The vein will close up and should eventually shrink.
Why is brain ablation unethical?
Experimental ablation is used in research on animals. Such research is considered unethical on humans due to the irreversible effects and damages caused by the lesion and by the ablation of brain tissues.
When is a brain ablation done?
When can laser ablation be used? Generally, laser ablation can be used when the lesion in the brain is 1) in the gray matter; 2) focal, 3) well-defined, and 4) correlates with seizures on the EEG. The most common cause of epilepsy treated with laser ablation is hypothalamic hamartomas.
What is Gamma Knife radiation?
Gamma Knife® is a radiation therapy that uses computerized treatment planning software to help physicians locate and irradiate small targets within the head and brain with very high precision. The treatment delivers intense radiation doses to the target area while sparing surrounding tissue.
How does the visualase laser ablation system work?
The Visualase system’s mobile cart design facilitates movement between magnets and readily connects to your MRI with a standard Ethernet cable. The mobility of the system offers flexibility when starting your laser ablation program and is designed for easy upgrades. The Visualase cart-based system provides flexibility and mobility.
What kind of laser is used for thermal ablation?
Visualase ® provides advanced MRI-guided laser ablation technology for thermal ablation markets, including neurosurgery. Laser energy is delivered to the target area using a laser applicator.
How does a MRI guided laser ablation work?
Perform the MRI-Guided Laser Ablation: Start with a pre-ablation scan. Then select the preferred thermal imaging planes, identify temperature check points, and start the ablation. As the target tissue heats up, Visualase™ software displays the thermal damage progress. Close: Remove the laser applicator.
How are temperature checkpoints used in laser ablation?
Visualase is the only system with easy-to-set temperature checkpoints for added confidence when ablating near critical structures. You can set checkpoints on either screen and in any plane. If temperature limits are hit, the laser immediately shuts off, preventing unwanted damage.