Toray Industries said today that its Raytela polymer optical fiber provides for high-quality imaging in the minimally invasive medical device market.

Raytela can negotiate tight 9mm radius bends, making it useful for devices used in endoscopy, uretroscopy, ophthalmic surgery and other procedures that require smaller devices that can navigate more tortuous paths than previously available, according to the company.

Raytela’s efficiency at transmitting high-intensity light means that it requires less intensity at the light source, Toray added. It also offers a significantly wider degree of light broadcasting at the distal end. This combination of capabilities enables the manufacture of significantly smaller-diameter devices that require fewer light cables.

Raytela can also bend back upon itself 180° with no diminution in light intensity, Toray said. Compared with the glass fibers used in many devices, Raytela has more resistance to fracture and longer life, the company added. It is available in four diameters, from 250 µm to 1000 µm.