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A scalpel that can diagnose? Scientists unveil a 'Lab-on-a-Scalpel' for real-time surgical insights

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Abstract

Imagine a surgeon in the middle of a complex operation, able to get instant biochemical feedback not from a lab down the hall, but from the very tool in their hand. Using a common desktop-sized 3D printer, the team fabricated a multi-layered sensor from a special filament combining polylactic acid (a bioplastic) with conductive carbon nanomaterials, which allows the device to perform complex electrochemical analysis. Our goal was to create a multifunctional tool that minimizes the number of instruments in the room and maximizes the amount of actionable information available to the surgeon. While this is currently a proof of concept, the study confirms that advanced, functional diagnostic tools can be created with widely available technology, paving the way for a new generation of smart surgical instruments that could one day make surgery safer and more responsive than ever before."
Key Data

  • Publication Date
    31 October 2025
  • Primary Author
    Lisa Lock
  • Source
    Medical Xpress
  • Language
    English
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