Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
08:41
A Rapid Laser Probing Method Facilitates the Non-invasive and Contact-free Determination of Leaf Thermal Properties
Published on: January 7, 2017
7.6K
LASER PROBE WITH INTEGRATED CONTACT COOLING FOR SUBSURFACE TISSUE THERMAL REMODELING
Chun-Hung Chang1, Nathaniel M Fried1,2
1Department of Physics and Optical Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA.
Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. Mississippi Academy of Sciences
|March 1, 2019
Summary
A novel transvaginal laser probe with cooling offers a potential minimally invasive treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Early cadaver studies show it can remodel tissue while preserving the vaginal wall.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Gynecology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects over 6.5 million US women, with limited surgical options.
- A minimally invasive, non-surgical approach for SUI targeting endopelvic fascia collagen remodeling is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, characterize, and test a novel probe for transvaginal laser treatment of SUI.
- To evaluate the probe's ability to achieve thermal shrinkage of submucosal collagen in the endopelvic fascia.
Main Methods:
- A 1075 nm near-infrared laser was delivered via a side-firing probe with integrated contact cooling (-2°C).
- An inflatable balloon ensured vaginal wall contact, monitored by force sensors and thermocouples.
- Thermal lesions were created in cadaver vaginal tissue.
Main Results:
- The probe maintained consistent tissue contact and cooling.
- Thermal lesions measured 3.1-4.6 mm², with vaginal wall preservation at 0.8-1.1 mm depth.
- Preliminary studies demonstrated subsurface endopelvic fascia treatment.
Conclusions:
- The novel cooled probe shows promise for transvaginal laser treatment of SUI.
- Further optimization is needed to enhance thermal remodeling and tissue surface preservation.
Related Concept Videos
02:44Heating and Cooling Curves
27.6K
When a substance—isolated from its environment—is subjected to heat changes, corresponding changes in temperature and phase of the substance is observed; this is graphically represented by heating and cooling curves.
For instance, the addition of heat raises the temperature of a solid; the amount of heat absorbed depends on the heat capacity of the solid (q = mcsolidΔT). According to thermochemistry, the relation between the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance, q, and its...
For instance, the addition of heat raises the temperature of a solid; the amount of heat absorbed depends on the heat capacity of the solid (q = mcsolidΔT). According to thermochemistry, the relation between the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance, q, and its...
27.6K
02:54Nucleosome Remodeling
11.1K
Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
11.1K
01:13Contact Angle
19.0K
When a solid is dipped inside a liquid, the liquid surface becomes curved near the contact. For some solid–liquid interfaces, the liquid is pulled up along the solid, while for others, the liquid surface is convex or depressed near the solid surface. This phenomenon can be explained using the concept of cohesive and adhesive forces.
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
19.0K
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
46.9K
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
46.9K
01:40Bone Remodeling
40.4K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.4K
01:27Thermal expansion and Thermal stress: Problem Solving
2.2K
San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is exposed to temperatures ranging from -15 °C to 40 °C. At its coldest, the main span of the bridge is 1275 m long. Assuming that the bridge is made entirely of steel, what is the change in its length between these temperatures?
To solve the problem, first, identify the known and unknown quantities. The initial length (L) of the bridge is 1275 m, the coefficient of linear expansion (α) for steel is 12 x 10-6/°C, and the change in temperature (ΔT) is 55...
To solve the problem, first, identify the known and unknown quantities. The initial length (L) of the bridge is 1275 m, the coefficient of linear expansion (α) for steel is 12 x 10-6/°C, and the change in temperature (ΔT) is 55...
2.2K