Improved Targeting of Radio-Frequency Ablation Probes and Thermal Sensors: A Preliminary Investigation of Flat-Panel CT-Guided Ablation of Renal Tumors Performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Fluorescent nanothermometers based on mixed shell carbon nanodots

Nanothermometers composed of a carbon nanodot core and thermo-sensitive polymeric mixed shell are prepared. Solution temperature can be traced through monitoring the fluorescence intensity variation of carbon nanodot.

Design of fluorescent nanocapsules as ratiometric nanothermometers

We have developed a novel design of optical nanothermometers that can measure the surrounding temperature in the range of 20-85 °C. The nanothermometers comprise two organic fluorophores encapsulated in a crosslinked polymethacrylate nanoshell. The role of the nanocapsule shell around the fluorophores is to form a well-defined and stable microenvironment to prevent other factors besides temperature from affecting the dyes' fluorescence. The two fluorophores feature different temperature-dependent emission profiles; a fluorophore with relatively insensitive fluorescence (rhodamine 640) serves as a reference whereas a sensitive fluorophore (indocyanine green) serves as a sensor. The sensitivity of the nanothermometers depends on the type of nanocapsule-forming lipid and is affected by the phase transition temperature. Both the fluorescence intensity and the fluorescence lifetime can be utilized to measure the temperature.

Design of irreversible optical nanothermometers for thermal ablations

Nanothermometers composed from a gold nanorod core, temperature sensitive linker and fluorescent dye are reported. The nanothermometers have low fluorescence due to a self-quenching mechanism at temperatures below 50 °C and become highly fluorescence above 70 °C.

Image-guided robotic surgery: update on research and potential applications in urologic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

New methods of imaging and image-guidance technology have the potential to provide surgeons with spatially accurate three-dimensional information about the location and anatomical relationships of critical subsurface structures and instrument position updated and displayed during the performance of surgery. Robotic platforms and technology in various forms continues to revolutionize surgery and will soon incorporate image guidance.

RECENT RESEARCH

Image-guided surgery (IGS) for abdominal and urologic interventions presents complex engineering and surgical challenges along with potential benefits to surgeons and patients. Key concepts such as registration, localization, accuracy, and targeting error are necessary for surgeons to understand and utilize the potential of IGS. Standard robotic surgeries, such as partial nephrectomy and radical prostatectomy may soon incorporate IGS.

SUMMARY

Research continues to explore the potential for combining image guidance and robotics to augment and improve a variety of surgical interventions.