Synthetic high power light conductors - are highly flexible yet robust and suitable for endoscopes

摘要

Light conductors composed of suitable synthetic materials are able to carry sufficient light power for use with endoscopes in such processes as photo-coagulation in human medicine whilst retaining high-flexibility and mechanical robustness to ensure no limitations in the use of the endoscope. Fibre optic light conductors, on the other hand, have high optical boss factors and quartz conductors are relatively fragile. The synthetic conductors may be used in the system described in P2517954.8 and are capable of carrying 20 watts of power from an Argon Ion laser with a 5 watt loss over 3 metres of conductor.