A research team comprising Christian Parigger and Jacqueline Johnson from the Center for Laser Applications at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma together with Robert Splinter of Splinter Consultants has devised a laser technology that identifies, maps, and non-invasively destroys cancerous tumors.
UT Space Institute Researchers Develop Laser Technology to Fight Cancer
The use of a femtosecond laser, which pulses at a rate of one-quadrillionth of a second, enables this innovative technology to focus in on a particular region to identify and precisely map a cancerous tumor. After accurately targeting the cancerous region, the laser radiation intensity is then adjusted to burn off or irradiate the cancerous tumor. This process could be more accurate when compared to existing techniques and can be performed as an outpatient procedure in place of intensive surgery.
This novel laser technology can be particularly useful for brain cancer treatment. Its imaging process is capable of non-invasively permeating thin bone layers such as the skull to provide a targeted treatment strategy for destruction of persistent cancer. This advanced technique also overcomes restrictions of existing treatments wherein radiation could cause damage to healthy brain tissue. It could also overcome restrictions of photodynamic therapy, which has limited adoption, and surgery, which is recommended only if all carcinogenic tissues are removed.
According to Parigger, it is possible to eliminate the unwanted heating of non-targeted things because a femtosecond laser radiation enables accurate spatial and temporal focus. The scientists are working on the commercialization of their breakthrough technology with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization involved in the commercialization of the university's technologies and promotion of research activities in the university.