Mar 3, 2006
Technological developments have been progressing at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (President: Yuichi Tonozuka) (hereinafter referred to as JAEA) under an industry-university collaborative setup, with the goal of using the research results of composite-type optical fiber technologies, developed as element technologies for remote maintenance as required by International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and putting them to practical use in fields other than nuclear power field. As part of this technological development, a project to develop an endoscope with laser irradiation capabilities that can be used for fetal treatment was undertaken in collaboration with Dr. Toshio Chiba, director of the Department of Strategic Medicine at the National Center for Child Health and Development (Director: Junichi Hata). A prototype device was recently completed.
Treatment of hereditary diseases such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and fetal myelomeningocele is difficult and has limited effects after a child is born. Some cases require treatment during the fetal stage, such as surgical intervention using a fetal endoscope. However, because this treatment targets fetuses that float in the amniotic fluid within the uterus, which is a small physical space, dramatic technological advancements were deemed necessary to enhance existing endoscopic surgical devices.
Under the joint development project, composite-type optical fiber technology that the JAEA has developed was used to integrate the visual observation function with the laser irradiation function for cauterizing the affected areas. The results have shown that lasers can be accurately targeted relatively easily and safely. It is hoped that the device will demonstrate its effectiveness in intrauterine surgical treatments for the congenital diseases mentioned above. Since the endoscope's outer diameter can be reduced to 2 mm, the diameter of the hole made in the abdomen can also be minimized. This is anticipated to dramatically reduce the burden of surgical treatment on the mother's body.
Animal experiments and clinical tests are now planned to be carried out using this device at the National Center for Child Health and Development.
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