BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION-1

AUTOMATED TEST SYSTEM FOR FIBER OPTIC ENDOSCOPES USING
VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION

VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION BASED AUTOMATED TEST SYSTEM FOR FIBER OPTIC ENDOSCOPES

ABSTRACT:
This paper deals with the application of Virtual Instrumentation in the field of Bio-Medical Instrumentation. The VI based Endo-Tester is used to assess the optical performance of the fiber optic endoscopes and video system in a clinical setting. Using LabVIEW and IMAQ products we can build an integrated test bench suitable for use by the clinical staff to measure parameters such as light loss, symmetry and distortion in the Fiber Optic Endoscopes.

INTRODUCTION
The popularity of endoscopic surgery is growing, in large part because it is generally safer and less expensive than conventional surgery. As endoscopic surgery becomes more common, accurately evaluating the performance of endoscopes and their peripheral components becomes essential. Assessing the optical performance of endoscopes and video systems is often difficult in the clinical setting. The surgeon depends on a high-quality image to perform minimally invasive surgery, yet assurance of proper function of the equipment by biomedical engineering staff is not always straight forward. Poor images can result from many variables, such as optical problems with the rigid endoscope, damaged fibers in the light cable, video camera malfunctions, and cleanliness of the equpment, lens surfaces on both ends of the endoscope.

We proposed an idea to develop the EndoTester evaluation system in response to worldwide demand for an affordable, accurate and highly versatile test system for assessing the performance characteristics of endoscopes and video systems in the clinical setting.

THE ENDO TESTER EVALUATION SYSTEM
The Endo Tester is an easy-to-use system to assess and accurately quantify the optical characteristics of fiber optic endoscopes. The system which we are going to design from its conception for ease of use, accommodates virtually any type of fiber optic endoscope. Multimedia features and on-line help and instructions provide support for biomedical engineering staff, nurses and physicians. By leveraging off standard PCs and an IMAQ image acquisition board, this LabVIEW based system is highly versatile and affordable.