Mist cooling in neurosurgical bone grinding

This research investigates using cryogenic saline mist, in comparison to the conventional saline irrigation, in neurosurgical bone grinding to prevent thermal injury to surrounding nerves and to increase the visibility of surgical area for endoscopic operations. Delivery of cryogenic mist directly towards the grinding zone along with a backward grinding motion was found important to maximize and localize the cooling effect, thus reducing bone temperature rise. Experimental results also showed a pre-cooling effect of the cryogenic mist that helps reduce the initial temperature of bone prior to the occurrence of grinding.