New laser delivery device for laparoscopic procedures

A new device to facilitate laser delivery and improve mechanical advantage during surgical procedures is described. In the device, a quartz fiber is used to transmit laser energy to a forked metal tip. The utility of the device was assessed in five pigs. In three pigs a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and in two pigs a laparoscopic lymph node dissection was performed. Advantages of the device included reduced smoke, clearer dissection planes, tactile feedback, and excellent mechanical advantage when used for blunt dissection. The device was qualitatively superior to both sculpted tip quartz fibers and electrocautery.