How can fiber optics be used in medicine?

Question

Julia Aguilar · Accepted Answer

remote imaging for laparoscopic surgery

fiber optics allows for light to be both transmitted and received through an extremely thin diameter opening during surgeries - laparoscopic surgery (also called minimally invasive surgery) utilizes fiber optics (ie. the total internal reflection of light within a refractive media) to perform surgeries that cause less damage and heal more quickly than previous methods of surgery.

Knee surgeries (as I can personally attest to) can often be performed with extremely small incisions, fiber optics allows for the inner cavity being operated on to be lit up and imaged during the procedure.

Julia Aguilar · Answer

undefined Fiber optics can be used in medicine for various purposes such as endoscopy, laser surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and biomedical sensing. Endoscopes equipped with fiber optic cables allow doctors to visualize internal organs without invasive surgery. In laser surgery, fiber optics deliver precise laser beams to target tissues. OCT uses fiber optics to produce high-resolution images of tissue structures. Fiber optic sensors can monitor vital signs and parameters within the body, such as blood oxygen levels and blood glucose levels. Overall, fiber optics in medicine enable minimally invasive procedures, accurate diagnostics, and real-time monitoring of patients.