Laser scalpel

Sometimes internal injuries or the presence of foreign bodies inside the patient requires physicians to perform surgery. Based on principles similar to those used by multipurpose gravitonic effectors, laser scalpels are the 24th century surgical cutting device. This unit uses trionic emitters to tightly focus a low-powered rapid nadion cutting beam.

Laser scalpels have two modes of operation. In the normal mode a laser scalpel projects a linear nadion beam that functions as an exceedinly thin blade. A surgeon can focus the beam as short as 0.1 cm or as long as 20 cm for exceptionally deep incisions. The trionic emitters can also focus the nadions at certain points along the beam. Since only focused nadions can slice tissue, a laser scalpel can cut deeply within a patient without actually piercing the skin or damaging any tissue between the laser scalpel and the affected region. This focused cutting area can extend up to 20 cm away from the unit and can focus as short as 0.1 cm or as long as 5 cm. If the surgical procedure requires it, a strong electric charge carried by the trionic beam can instantly cauterize any incision this device makes.

Like many instruments, laser scalpels have alternate uses. While this device is incapable of affecting refractory materials like tritanium or Duranium, a laser scalpel can easily cut all ordinary organic material like wood or bone, and most of the boronite whisker composites used in furniture and clothing.

Reference(s)

• Isaacs, Ross A., et al. Starfleet Academy Handbook, New York: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.