A tiny endoscope developed by Japanese scientists is capable of capturing images of parts of the body that were previously inaccessible, such as blood vessels and nerves.
Japan researches tiny endoscope smaller than a syringe – (Illustration: iStock).
A research team from Keio University and a medical device manufacturer has successfully developed a technology that utilizes optical fibers to create an endoscope smaller than a syringe.
The team harnessed the refraction properties of light passing through optical fibers, similar to how it behaves when passing through a lens, to develop an endoscope using optical fibers.
This replacement of conventional lenses allows the size of the endoscope to be reduced to just 1.25mm while ensuring high-quality imaging.
The researchers noted that conducting endoscopies in certain locations, such as the knee joint, typically requires surgery under general anesthesia. The new endoscope can be inserted through a very small opening, significantly reducing the surgical burden on patients.
Additionally, the material used to create the endoscope is plastic, which can lower production costs and enhance safety when developed as a single-use product.
The research team aims to commercialize the product by 2024.
Professor Masaya Nakamura, a member of the research team, stated that the new endoscope can capture images of parts of the body that were previously inaccessible, such as blood vessels and nerves.
The research team will continue to develop applications for the product across various fields.
