Optic Fibers: A Vital Addition Instrument In Medical Field

Written by GtoRMan Tuesday, 26 January 2010 23:30

Optic fibers are one of vital medical instruments used to help various kinds of medical ailments, whether to diagnose or treat it, such as in the process of surgery. In general, optic fiber is a helpful instrument for physicians to diagnose the condition of human’s inner body through a very thin fiber cables. This fiber is able to be inserted through patients’ blood vessels, lungs, and other part of the body that are needed to be identified. Hence, there are two medical instruments physician usually use and these instruments are equipped with optic fibers that have specific function.

The first instrument that involves optic fiber called Endoscope. Particularly, Endoscope is used to look into specific part of human body. This optic fiber is applied when physicians need to look and work inside the body.

Moreover, this medical instrument is designed with two bundles of optic fibers in one tube. The functions of these two bundles are different, the first bundle of optic fiber direct light at the tissue being scanned and the other one send light reflected from the tissue which will project a detail image. This optic fiber is inserted through a tiny incision so physician can monitor it from the outside. 

The second one is Arthroscope. In detail, this medical instrument is equipped with optic fiber bundles of 1/12 to 1/5 inch in size. Physically, it has straight and cylinder-like shape with a series of lenses set up. The function of Arthroscope is to examine and perform surgical procedure at the joint in body like shoulder, elbows, hips, ankles, and knee joints. Besides, this medical instrument also enables the body temperature measurement. Similar to the technique of how Endoscope being inserted, Arthroscope is also being inserted through a tiny incision into a target joint by thin fiber cables. The thin optic fiber which brings light will illuminate the joint so in further physician would know the best diagnosis and treatments for the ailments. By using Arthroscope, patients will not experience the discomfort feeling like the other surgical process and the small wound as the cause of the incision will be healed in shorter time as well.

For medical field, optic fibers have brought about tremendous advantages. First, this instrument gives more accurate analysis of blood chemistry through an easier way. Next, the significant additional function of the optic fibers is that physicians are able to direct intense laser light to stop bleeding or burn away abnormal tissue. (fallen)