The Role of Light Guide Cables in Effective Endoscope Use
Light guide cables are a crucial component in the operation of endoscopes, ensuring high-quality illumination during medical procedures. These cables transmit powerful light from an external source to the tip of the endoscope, allowing surgeons and doctors to visualize internal organs and tissues clearly.
Why Light Guide Cables Matter
Without proper illumination, even the most advanced endoscopes are ineffective. Light guide cables enable crisp, high-definition visuals, which are critical for both diagnosis and surgery. Quality light is essential for identifying tissue abnormalities and ensuring procedural accuracy.
Durability and Performance
Since light guide cables are handled frequently, they are susceptible to damage like broken fibers or connector wear. Damage to these cables can result in dim lighting or uneven illumination, compromising the quality of the procedure. This is where automated testing becomes invaluable, as it helps detect light transmission issues before they escalate.
Dovideq Medical’s GuideControl offers a solution by testing the light output of these cables, the quality of the fiber package as well as the color correctness of the transmitted light. By regularly monitoring cable performance, hospitals can reduce the risk of unexpected failures in the operating room and improve overall procedural safety.
Maintenance Best Practices
- Routine Testing: Using automated systems like GuideControl to regularly check light output can prevent sudden failures.
- Proper Handling: Avoid bending or twisting light guide cables during use or storage to prolong their lifespan.
- Clean and Inspect: Regularly cleaning and visually inspecting the cables ensures no debris or damage impacts performance.
How GuideControl tests
As mentioned above, GuideControl tests your light guide cables on 3 parameters:
Light Transmission | Measures light transmission of the cable (lux). It measures the amount of light on both the input, and output of the cable, giving you the light transmission value.
Color Correctness | Measures the color correctness of the light after being transmitted through the cable based on the HSV value. This eliminates the possibility of misinterpretation of the image during surgery due to discolored light.
Light Fibers | Measures the quality of the fibre package in your light guide cable with a camera. The device takes an image of the output of your cable. It then identifies the damaged fibers and gives you a percentage of how many fibers are damaged, so you can adhere to your IFU.
By prioritizing the maintenance of light guide cables, hospitals can ensure that their endoscopic procedures remain efficient, safe, and successful. Interested in stepping up your light guide cable testing? Contact us for a demo of GuideControl today!
