Fiber optics in medicine.

The most significant and prevalent applications of fiber optics in medicine are in the imaging and illumination components of endoscopes. Flexible and rigid multifibers composed of step-index fibers and graded-index imaging rods are extensively used for visualization of internal organs and tissue which are accessible through natural openings or transcutaneously. This article reviews the evolution of the fiber-optic endoscope over the past 20 years. The fabrication techniques of optical fibers for imaging and illumination are considered in juxtaposition to their current applications in communications with emphasis on the different technologies involved. The design of distinct endoscopes is described with a detailed review of their use in various medical specialities. Low-loss optical fibers are employed to transmit laser energy for surgery and photocoagulation. Multicolor laser light is transmitted through a single thin optical fiber to provide adequate illumination for viewing and color photography. Past attempts to develop plastic imaging multifibers and their future potential viewing and color photography. Past attempts to develop plastic imaging multifibers and their future potential are discussed. Other uses of fiber optics in medicine include remote spectrophotometry, pressure and position sensing, or scintillation counting. These and other applications, such as intravascular pressure transducers and in vivo oximeters, are described.