Welch Allyn Offers 100 Watt Xenon Fiber Optic Illuminator to Medical OEMs

SKANEATELES FALLS, N.Y., July 31 -- Welch Allyn Inc.'s lighting products division will now offer a 100 W xenon fiber optic illuminator to medical original equipment manufacturers. designed for integration into endoscopic systems, the illuminator is based on a unique optical technology that allows it to project bright, white light through one- to two-millimeter-diameter plastic or glass fibers.

"We gained access to the technology behind our 100 W xenon fiber optic illuminator through our May 2001 acquisition of Cogent Light Technologies' medical fiber optic headlight business," said Ian Edwards, marketing manager for Welch Allyn's lighting products division. "This unique Cogent Light technology allows the 100 W illuminator to inject high-intensity, sunlight-quality light into fibers as small as one or two millimeters in diameter. So for medical endoscopy applications, where small fibers are extremely desirable, there is really nothing that can compete."

Welch Allyn's Cogent Light fiber optic illuminator consists of a 140 x 260 x 286 mm metal casing that houses a 100 W xenon bulb and all necessary control electronics and cooling components. "Our 100W fiber optic illuminator also features a 1000-hour lamp life, which is essential in a medical scenario," said Edwards.