Laser autopsy and cremation

Abstract

Methods and devices for laser cremation and autopsy. One or more laser beams are used to destroy at least a substantial portion of the body of a deceased human or animal. The destruction of the body may occur in a section by section fashion. In embodiments used for cremation virtually all of the body, including soft tissue, body fluid and bone, is vaporized or destroyed. In embodiments used for autopsy, the internal organs and/or anatomical structures may be grossly examined and photographs or images may be made between some or all of the sections. Such photographs or images may be analyzed for evidence of cause of death and/or may be compared to normal parameters to ascertain whether abnormalities are present. The gas or vapor resulting from the laser destruction of the body may be filtered, heated to remove pathogens and/or may be analyzed to determine the presence or amount of certain chemical analytes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for performing autopsies or cremating the bodies of human or animal subjects. More particularly, the present invention pertains to methods and devices wherein lasers are used to cremate or perform autopsies on deceased human or animal bodies. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A. Cremation [0003] Cremation is the second most common form of disposition of human remains in the United States, and may be even more common in certain other countries or regions of the world. Typically, prior to cremation, any sizable metal or mechanical mechanical devices, such as prosthetic joints, pacemakers and hearing aids, are removed from the body of the deceased. After the body has been prepared, it is placed in a combustible casket or container and the casket or container is then placed in a cremation furnace sometimes referred to as a cremator. [0004] A cremator typically comprises an enclosed chamber havi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Still further in accordance with the invention, one or more detectors or analytical devices may be attached to the chamber to detect or perform quantitative or qualitative analysis of the vapor and/or gaseous discharge from the chamber. This aspect of the invention may be particularly useful in embodiments wherein the laser device is being used to perform a full or partial autopsy.

[0016] Still further in accordance with the invention, one or more of the above-summarized devices for laser cremation or autopsy may be positioned or mounted on or in a mobile platform or vehicle (e.g., a trailer, bus, bus-like vehicle, aircraft, boat, hover-craft, helicopter, etc.) such that the laser cremation and/or autopsy device(s) may be moved from location to location. Such embodiments of the invention may be useable for performing cremation and/or autopsies at remote or rural locations and/or at the scenes of disasters, epidemics or other situations where humans or animals have died. As described herein, the laser cremation and autopsy devices of the present invention are useable to conduct autopsies and/or crematio

Problems solved by technology

This high heat causes thermal decomposition of all or most of the sof

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