Ultrasonic scalpel could boost success rate of eye operations

The device is similar to electric toothbrushes that use ultrasonic waves to oscillate individual bristles; but rather than random, unconstrained movements, they are confined to a single axis in line with the cutting edge of the blade.

This allows for an assisted incision action that is more consistent and requires less force in its delivery, while still allowing the surgeon to retain a proper ‘feel’ for what he or she is cutting.

Presenting the work at the Made in Brunel exhibition at London’s Oxo Tower, Kourosh Atefipour said he had done extensive research into the field of opthalmic surgery before looking for potential solutions.

‘We identified a problem within cataract surgery in the fact that the surgeon has to lay a lot of force with a scalpel in order cut through the collagen — from that I looked into what tools they used to understand what the surgeons require for a successful operation.’