A medical endoscope is an important medical device that enters the human body through the body's natural orifices or small incisions created by surgery to directly peek at changes in the relevant area for internal and surgical fine examination and minimally invasive treatment. The following is detailed information about the technical background of medical endoscopes.

Development history

The development of medical endoscopes has gone through several important stages. Initially, there were rigid tube endoscopes (1806-1932), followed by semi-curved endoscopes (1932-1957), then fibre-optic endoscopes (1957 onwards), and up to the current electronic endoscopes (1983 onwards). These technological advances have enabled endoscopes to provide higher image quality and a wider range of clinical applications.

Imaging Technology

The imaging technology of medical endoscopes is one of their core technologies. While traditional optical endoscopes mainly rely on optical lenses and unique light path design to achieve reflective imaging, modern electronic endoscopes are imaged by a combination of electronic components and optical assemblies through optoelectronic signals and image processing technology. The resolution of electronic endoscopes has basically realised the replacement of HD to SD, and many manufacturers have also launched ultra-high-definition 4K electronic endoscopy systems.

Structural Features

According to the degree of rigidity and softness of the mirror body, medical endoscopes are mainly divided into rigid mirrors and soft mirrors. Rigid mirrors are mainly used for the diagnosis and treatment of lesions in the superficial parts of the human body cavity, with the advantages of clear imaging, realistic colour and easy operation; soft mirrors are suitable for the diagnosis and treatment of the deeper parts of the cavity due to their soft and bendable characteristics.

Functional characteristics

Medical endoscopes are not only used for diagnosis, but also for specific surgeries or to assist in the implantation of therapeutic artificial products. With the development of technology, the function of endoscopes has gradually expanded from a single function of inspection and diagnosis to a trinity of inspection, diagnosis and treatment.

Technical Challenges

Despite significant advances in medical endoscopy technology, a number of challenges remain. For example, how to reduce equipment cross-infection is an important issue. Traditional endoscopes are difficult to thoroughly clean and sterilise due to their complex structure, making them prone to cross-infection. Disposable endoscope technology was invented to address this issue, but the market for domestically produced 3D laparoscopes has not yet been fully opened.

Future Trends

In the future, endoscopic technology will continue to integrate with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in order to provide more comprehensive information and help doctors achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment. In addition, as image quality continues to improve and clinical applications become more popular, endoscopes will continue to develop towards miniaturisation, multi-functionality and high image quality.

In summary, the background of medical endoscopy technology covers its development history, technical characteristics, challenges, and future development trends. These technological advances have not only improved the effectiveness of medical diagnosis and treatment, but also brought more benefits to patients.