March 24, 00 --Imagine a device which could instantly tell a surgeon which cells are cancerous, which are not, and when to stop cutting-- when all the bad cells have been removed. Science Specialist Ed Yeates has a preview of what some are calling the "smart scalpel."

A surgeon removing a tumor may not get all of the cancer because the bad cells may be hidden - wrapped around the back side of a bone for example or inside fatty tissue. So the doctor goes the extra mile - taking out a lot of normal, healthy stuff just to make sure he's got all of the cancer.

It may not look like much right now, but scientists at Sandia National Labs have already applied for patents to build what could become a revolutionary surgical tool for the removal of cancer.

Here's how it works: While a surgeon is in the process of cutting out a cancer, cells from areas surrounding the incision would flow into a microlaser device encased in the scalpel's handle. The laser would identify the protein content of each individual cell - singling out those which are abnormal.

When NO more bad cells flow through the micro-gate, a computer would visually tell the surgeon to stop cutting.

Before the incision is closed, the surgeon would not only know ALL the cancer was out, but that normal cells and tissue had been preserved.

And for neurosurgeons like John Macfarlane - that's critical!

John Macfarlane, M.D. / LDS Hospital Neurosurgeon: "THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE DIFFICULTY IN KNOWING WHEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - WHEN WE'RE APPROACHING NORMAL CELLS. THE PROBLEM IN THE BRAIN, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE ELOQUENT AREAS IS THERE IS VERY LITTLE MARGIN FOR ERROR. AND IN FACT MANY TUMORS DO ABUT OR INVADE INTO VERY IMPORTANT CELLS."

The portable laser device has the potential of analyzing up to 100,000 cells per second in real time.

In addition to cancer, it can also identify sickle cell anemia and other abnormalities in blood. It's not yet the fictional magic wand Star Trek doctors wave over crew members of the Enterprise to diagnose illnesses - but it might be getting close.