Laser sternotome

Abstract

A cutting device for cutting a patient's sternum includes a laser source adapted to generate a cut laser beam, a beam adjusting structure arranged for directing the cut laser beam generated by the laser source along a predefined cut geometry at the sternum, a support that carries the laser source and, optionally, a correction arrangement. The support has a mounting structure adapted to be fixed to a patient's rib cage such that the laser source is in a predefined position with respect to the sternum. The correction arrangement is adapted to automatically identify a movement of the laser source relative to the sternum causing the cut laser beam to deviate from the predefined cut geometry. It is further adapted to automatically adjust the position of the laser source relative to the sternum to correct the deviation of the cut laser beam with respect to the predefined cut geometry.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.