Professor Yasuhiro Koike and Professor Masaya Nakamura of Keio University, in collaboration with Air Water Inc., have succeeded in developing the world's first ultra-thin rigid endoscope using GI POF technology.It is said that it will be easier to perform joint endoscopic pre-surgery examinations and post-surgery follow-up observations.
It is difficult to evaluate the inside of the joint with radiation or ultrasonography, and it is difficult to grasp the details even with MRI.Today's medical treatment requires highly invasive arthroscopy before surgery, and it is not easy to observe the progress after surgery.
Conventionally, there have been ultra-thin rigid endoscopes that transmit images by bundling glass optical fibers, and those that have a tiny camera mounted on the tip.The GI-type POF (gradient index plastic optical fiber) invented by Professor Koike can be used not only for high-speed optical communication, but also as a relay lens that controls the refractive index distribution with high precision and transmits images.This time, the research group has developed an ultra-thin rigid endoscope with a GI-type POF lens installed at the tip that can transmit images inside the body to the outside of the body.
This makes it possible to install a camera outside the body, and you can choose the camera that suits your examination. GI type POF lenses can be realized with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, are flexible, hard to break, and easier to handle than glass lenses.In addition, because the lens is made of plastic, it is low cost and the tip can be disposable (disposable) in the same way as an injection needle.
By using ultra-fine rigid endoscopes, it is possible to directly observe the inside of a patient's joints before and after surgery with minimal invasiveness.Conventional arthroscopy requires hospitalization and general anesthesia. burden will be significantly reduced.
