For the medical device industry, lasers are an invaluable technology. With myriad uses ranging from eyesight improvement to imaging, medical lasers can be found in almost all hospitals in the United States and other developed countries.
In total, the Mayo Clinic spends half a billion dollars on research and development every year. A significant part of this research budget goes towards the company's laser engineering laboratories. In particular, two laser-based technologies at the Mayo Clinic show promise.
With specialized CAT scans, additive laser technology can be used to manufacture replicas of human organs. One potential use of this technology would be for conjoined twins: With CAT scan modeling technologies and additive laser manufacturing, surgeons can create life-sized models of organs to practice an upcoming surgery. In addition to saving time on the operating room, creating these "practice organs" can improve patient safety.
Another use of laser technology is in the manufacture of some brain probes. Through the use of electrical signals, these probes can direct electrical signals into the brain, allowing them to treat Parkinson's disease and other brain based disorders. For this technology to work, patients must be awake. In one case, a concert violinist underwent the procedure while playing a violin in the surgery room.