A strand of fiber that's about the diameter of a human hair is what makes up optical fiber cables, which provide homes and businesses with high-speed internet. Optical fibers transmit data by emitting and receiving light to carry information over long distances at fast speeds, making them the preferred choice for telecommunication and data center networks.
But this versatile technology also offers substantial benefits for the field of medicine. For example, it is used in endoscopes -- small, flexible tubes with a camera and light at the end that allow doctors to view organs and other tissues inside the body without cutting them open. These devices are widely used in medical procedures such as gastroscopies, laparoscopies and arthroscopies.
Similarly, medical sensors that use optical fibers can measure and record temperature, pressure and vibration data. These sensor data can then be analyzed to help identify and treat diseases or injuries.
Another trend that has benefited from the development of fiber optics is the increase in robotics-assisted surgery. By offering surgeons better physical feedback, called haptic feedback, the ability to feel how much pressure they are applying or whether they have succeeded in a procedure, this technology has made it possible to perform more delicate and precise work.
Fiber optics can also improve communication, both locally and globally. Many people depend on fiber optics for voice, video and data services. And, while some experts believe that wireless 5G signals will boost electromagnetic fields and cancer risks, these signals stay trapped within the cable, so there is no need to worry.
