 |
Short-Wave Surgical Knife
A means of performing an internal cut without breaking the skin. (Read the full article)
| "fact, there are several such technologies.
The Gamma Knife being one: "Gamma Knife Brain Surgery is a non-invasive form of neurosurgery used to treat certain brain conditions. It uses highly precise radiation beams to destroy brain tumours and other abnormalities without the need to open the skull." (http://tinyurl.com/yhr5ly)
Other such technologies use ultrasound shock waves and focused ultrasound for heating and destroy tumors.
Adi" (AdiIn 11/29/2006 12:42:28 AM ) |
| "Adi- great find! However, I think that the intent of the fictional device is to actually make cuts, not just irradiate or treat particular areas inside the skin. MRIs are used to guide focused ultrasound energy to heat very small areas within the body to as much as 85 degrees centigrade. This is used in treating uterine fibroids. It can also be used to kill cancers - treatment for prostate cancer is already allowed in the UK and other countries." (Bill, Chief Technovelgist 11/29/2006 2:48:27 PM ) |
| "Is "break up" closer to the idea of "cut"?
Ultrasound is also used to break up kidney stones -- see
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithotriptor
" (David Cary 11/30/2006 9:48:33 PM ) |
More info on Short-Wave Surgical Knife
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