Medical Fiber Optic Networks & FiberShack.com
As fiber optics become more and more essential in medical devices, cleanliness is key to performance. From minimally invasive surgery (MIS), to real-time imaging in MRI, CT, PET, and SPECT systems, fiber optics help patient diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. But contamination of fiber optic ends—often invisible to the naked eye—can cause device failure so cleaning is crucial.
Why Clean Fiber Optics
Dirty fiber connections, aka end faces, can cause intermittent performance issues or make instruments unusable. To ensure reliability, you must inspect, clean and reinspect fiber optic connections before use.
How to Clean
1. Identify and Remove Contaminants
Microscopic dust, oils and residues require 200x or 400x inspection scopes to detect. Regular inspection before and after cleaning ensures contaminant free connections.
2. Use the Right Cleaning Materials
Don’t use clothing, generic wipes or touch the termini directly as they’ll introduce more contaminants. Instead use products specifically designed for fiber optic cleaning.
3. Choose the Right Cleaning Tools
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Wipes and Swabs: Use specialty wipes for plugs and swabs for sockets.
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Cleaning Fluids: High purity cleaning fluids dissolve oils and dissipate static that attracts dust.
4. Understanding Different Contaminants
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Particulates: Static charged solids require a cleaning fluid to neutralize static and lift debris.
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Oils: Dissolves with high purity fiber optic cleaning fluids.
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Salts: Cleaning fluids alone may leave residue; mechanical action with wipes or swabs is needed for complete removal.
Best Practices
Use High Purity Cleaning Fluids
Avoid aqueous (water based) cleaners or pure isopropyl alcohol (IPA) which can leave moisture, damage fibers or ignite on highly energized fiber surfaces. Instead use fast drying, high purity fluids specifically designed for fiber optics.
Wet-to-Dry Cleaning Technique
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Apply a small amount of cleaning fluid to the corner of a dry wipe or the tip of a swab.
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Gently clean the fiber optic termini.
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Discard used wipes or swabs to prevent re-contamination.
Performance in Medical Devices
Clean fiber optics is key to medical precision. Contaminants can cause malfunction, fire or connection failure during critical procedures. To ensure device reliability always use fiber optic cleaning products and inspect termini before connecting.
Contact a specialized supplier like FiberShack.com for advice on fiber optic cleaning tools and fluids for your application.