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DailyTech – Scientists Develop “Lightsaber” to Fight Cancer

The miniature device, just a few millimeters long extends a “lightsaber” laser beam.  The beam is so accurate it can target a single cell.  The device would be perfect for hard to reach cancers that typically have high fatality rates, such as cancer of the pancreas.  The little lightsaber can punch holes in cells surrounding the spot of a remove tumor, allowing chemo drugs to be selectively delivered to only the cells at risk.

The team currently has the light saber mounted on an optical fiber.  The team is now working on adapting it to endoscopes, tiny cameras used by doctors during routine medical procedures.  Putting the saber on the end of the camera, researchers could sneak a peak of the region and then go to work punching holes in cells as needed.