00:02Latvia is developing a technological niche, optical fiber. It exports more than 90% of
00:09its production. Dr. Yudris, a vascular surgeon and phlebologist, uses it daily in his operations.
00:16It is flexible and transmits light, ultraviolet and infrared rays. Thanks to it, surgery is less
00:22invasive and the post-operative recovery is quicker. It's only 0.5 mm of diameter. It's
00:30very thinny and it's possible to input in the vein and it's less traumatic, not pain after
00:37the procedure. The patient will take shower after 24 hours and second day after the procedure go to
00:44swing. The Latgale region, which borders Lithuania, Russia and Belarus, is the birthplace of Latvian
00:56fiber optics. A range of specialist companies has sprung up in Lavani, thanks to the European
01:02project Optical Fiber Valley, the fiber optic valley. At Lightguide, for example, they produce
01:09around 20 million meters of optical fiber a year, tailor their products to customer requirements
01:14and export to more than 50 countries. This one is 270 micron in diameter in the core and
01:23it is used for the treatment of kidney stones or lithotripsy when the kidney stones are destroyed
01:30using laser energy. For the simple medical devices consisting of one fiber and a simple connector,
01:37we manufactured around 1 million units per year.
01:43The total budget for Optical Fiber Valley exceeds 5.4 million euros. Of this, more than 40% comes from
01:51the European Cohesion Policy and the remainder from companies and partner organizations.
01:59Demand for fiber optic technology in medicine and other sectors is booming in Europe. The Latvian
02:05investment and development agency is promoting this business activity.
02:11Right now, I would say this cutting edge technology is maybe 3% of Latvian GDP, but these companies are
02:17growing really fast. So our hope is that within 10 years, we'll have 10% of the GDP will be
02:23generated
02:24from deep tech and, of course, from the smart materials technology, which is fiber optics as a part of it.
02:34Some catheters are as thin as a strand of hair.
02:38They are used in various areas of surgery and, according to Dr. Udris, they do more than just improve
02:44patients' quality of life. It's less traumatic and we are using approximately four times less energy if
02:52we compare to 25 years ago.
