SH02 HAROLD H. HOPKINS – BROUGHT LIGHT TO DARKNESS

Abstract

There is no doubt endoscopy and minimal invasive surgery has revolutionised the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of a multitude of surgical disorders. Some of the most important milestones in the development of endoscopy and minimal invasive surgery have been attributed to the work of Harold H. Hopkins.Harold H. Hopkins, born on December 6, 1918, was a renowned physicist for his contribution in optical science. The first notable invention of Hopkins was the zoom lens. However, his first notable contribution to medicine started when he met Hugh Gainsborough, a gastroenterologist dissatisfied with the instruments for performing gastroscopy. The development of the ‘fiberscope’, consisting of a bundle of very fine glass fibres that eventuated as the flexible fiberoptic endoscopes in use today.In 1959, the invention of the “rod‐lens” system represented a significant development in endoscopy from the conventional lens system used at the time by using glass rods that occupy most of the telescope tube, hence reducing the glass/air interfaces. The result was brighter images and smaller diameter of the telescope. Nevertheless, it was not until 1965 when the idea was recognised by Professor George Berci, a young Australian surgeon at the time, who introduced the system to Karl Storz in Germany and manufactured the first prototype. The subsequent range of rigid endoscopes produced became worldwide standards for their excellent image quality.Hopkins died on October 22, 1994, but his legacy in development of optical systems revolutionised the development and application of endoscopy and minimal invasive surgery.