What Is a Fiber-Optic Endoscope?

A fiber-optic endoscope is a medical imaging device that a medical professional can insert into a patient's body to get a clear view of the inside. It has one bundle of fiber-optics that provide sufficient lighting in the body and another bundle that carries the image either to the video monitor or into an eyepiece. There are rigid and flexible endoscopes, which are used for different medical procedures. Some endoscopes have small tools attached to them, such as forceps, scissors and baskets. These tools allow the physician to perform a minor surgery, remove a sample tissue for testing or spot internal bleeding, tumors, hernias and other medical problems.

Endoscopy is a great medical breakthrough, because it helps to reduce diagnostic surgeries through the use of a fiber-optic endoscope. It may be inserted either through an opening in the body or by making a small incision in the skin. The purpose of a fiber-optic endoscope is to allow the physician to spot problems and perform surgeries more effectively and with greater ease. The high number of fiber-optics provides the physician with a much brighter light and allows for more color to be seen than with an endoscope that uses a traditional filament lamp. Both the fiber-optic cable and the tools attached to it are controlled by a qualified physician.

December 10, 2011

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