What are endoscopic technologies?
An endoscope is a minimally invasive medical technology device used for preventative, diagnostic, and surgery practices throughout the body: from identifying joint damage to lung examinations. These technologies were developed in the early 1900s, and is continuously being innovated to provide the best imaging results. These devices not only eliminate the need for tests which have long recovery time for patients, but also help increase medical education and exploration for professionals. Innovative endoscopic techniques offer the ability to gather real-time data while non-invasively viewing inside the human body.
Optics in Endoscopic Devices
Endoscopes have miniature cameras within their systems for imaging and real-time visual purposes, therefore optics play a large role within these devices. Micro lenses are the key components within these cameras, and they require a spherical or aspheric form to enable real-time visual inspection.
An additional component within endoscopes, to illuminate and display the examination on the practitioners monitor, are integrated illumination systems which require prism lenses with specific coatings. These coatings are necessary to guarantee the loss-free transmission of the incoming light from the lighting system (usually an LED white light). The prism optics within these systems usually require deflection mirrors in order to expand the angle of vision and optimise the applications for the different applications.
Due to some of the functionality requirements for certain types of endoscopes, polished rod lenses are also used as they are able to provide structural support within the endoscope tube, and are within the system to self-align to the tube diameter as a light guide.
Optical Requirements
Highly complex devices need specific optical requirements. In this case, the optical components used within endoscopes need to have a large field of depth (a large distance range in which the optical imaging resolution is as high as possible). Another requirement is for the lenses to have low distortion; a form of optical aberration in which there is a deviation from rectilinear projection.
The versatility of endoscopic applications affects the weight limit developer try to implement, because of this polymer optics are important for these devices due to their durability and light weight.
These optical designs work within an endoscope to create high quality, important medical devices used to decrease patient recover time and increase level of knowledge and education we have about the human body. Addoptics can produce custom polymer, light-weight and high precision optics, suitable for endoscopic technologies.