Minimizing Invasiveness of Liver Resection Using an Integrated Tissue Ablation and Division Device With Blood Flow Sensing

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer. Liver resection or hepatectomy has been performed to remove the cancerous portion of the liver organ. This paper reports an integrated surgical mechatronic device that minimizes blood loss during tissue resection and prevents excessive tissue ablation. The novel device integrates radio-frequency electrodes to induce coagulation to the blood vessels, a laser Doppler sensor to detect the stoppage of blood flow, and a retractable knife blade to divide the ablated tissue. Finite element simulation was used to improve upon the placement design of electrodes. Effectiveness of this device in reducing the invasiveness of tissue division was demonstrated with in vitro and in vivo animal experiments.