Precision laser-assisted brain tumor surgery using gigahertz pulse bursts
Official title: Precision cancer microsurgery using laser ablation-cooling with pulse bursts
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11543062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new brain tumor surgery method uses real-time imaging and ultra-precise laser bursts to remove cancer cells while sparing healthy brain tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $86,222 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA296584-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11543062 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with glioblastoma or similar brain tumors undergoing surgical resection and who would benefit from enhanced precision at tumor margins.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors outside the brain or those not undergoing surgical resection may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This grant aims to develop a handheld tool that blends fluorescence-guided imaging with a fast, pulsed laser to precisely ablate tumor cells at the margins during glioblastoma surgery. It builds on bright-field and fluorescence visualization to distinguish cancer from healthy tissue and uses gigahertz pulse bursts to ablate at micron scales with cooling to protect surrounding tissue. The project includes creating a user-friendly device, validating it in models, and optimizing how surgeons would integrate it into the operating room. If successful, this could reduce residual tumor cells and potentially lower recurrence without harming function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially more complete tumor removal with fewer complications, leading to better long-term outcomes for brain cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous fluorescence-guided surgery has shown promise, but the integration of ultrafast laser ablation at margins is a novel approach with early proof-of-concept.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spring, Bryan Quilty — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Spring, Bryan Quilty
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.