Sensor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a temperature sensor comprising: a first sleeve; at least part of the first optical fiber is located in the first sleeve; the first end part of the second optical fiber is positioned in the first sleeve and is opposite to the first optical fiber; the second end part of the second optical fiber is positioned in the second sleeve and is arranged opposite to the reflecting component inserted into the second sleeve; the first temperature sensing cavity is defined by the first end part of the first optical fiber and the first end part of the second optical fiber; and the second temperature sensing cavity is defined and formed by the second end part of the second optical fiber and the reflecting component. The temperature sensor may measure temperatures at a plurality of locations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic temperature sensors offer advantages such as small size, light weight, high sensitivity, wide dynamic response range, and resistance to electromagnetic interference. They can accurately demodulate and calculate temperature information using optical methods, making them suitable for various applications in aerospace, petroleum, biology, and medicine. Currently, various fields have expressed a demand for sensors capable of measuring temperature at multiple locations. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a sensor that can measure temperature at multiple locations.

[0004] The above objective is achieved by means of the sensor described below.

[0005] This disclosure provides a sensor, comprising: a first sleeve; a first optical fiber, at least partially located within the first sleeve; a second optical fiber, a first end of which is located within the first sleeve and disposed opposite to the first optical fiber; a second end of which is located within a second sleeve and disposed opposite to a reflective member inserted into the second sleeve; a first temperature sensing cavity defined by the first optical fiber and the first end of the second optical fiber; and a second temperature sensing cavity defined by the second end of the second optical fiber and the reflective member.

[0006] In one embodiment, the distance between the first temperature sensing cavity and the second temperature sensing cavity is 5mm-150mm.

[0007] In one embodiment, the length of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is 5mm-30mm.

[0008] In one embodiment, the material of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is selected from one of the following: metal, ceramic or glass.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are unsleeved quartz optical fibers.

[0010] In one embodiment, the material of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is selected from one of the following: ceramic or glass.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first optical fiber or the second optical fiber is an optical fiber fitted with a ceramic sleeve or a glass sleeve.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first sleeve or the second sleeve is made of metal.

[0013] In one embodiment, the length of the first temperature sensing cavity or the second temperature sensing cavity is 10μm-30μm.

[0014] In one embodiment, the reflective member is a quartz optical fiber, and the first end of the reflective member is located in the second sleeve; it further includes: a second reflective member disposed opposite to the second end of the reflective member; and a third temperature sensing cavity defined by the second end of the reflective member and the second reflective member, which is located in the second sleeve or in a third sleeve spaced apart from the second sleeve.

[0015] This disclosure provides a pressure guidewire, including the sensor described in any of the above claims.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pressure guidewire includes: a guidewire body, the guidewire body including a tube wall and an inner cavity extending therethrough; the sensor is disposed in the inner cavity, and a sensing hole is provided on the tube wall at the location of the first temperature sensing cavity and the second temperature sensing cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly described below. The drawings are merely illustrative of some embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of all embodiments of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a sensor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the guidewire according to this disclosure is shown.

[0021] 1-First sleeve 2-Second sleeve 3-First optical fiber 4-Second optical fiber 41-First end of the second optical fiber 42-Second end of the second optical fiber 5-Reflective member 6-First temperature sensing cavity 7-Second temperature sensing cavity 8-Adhesive part 9-Third optical fiber 91-First end of the third optical fiber 92-Second end of the third optical fiber 10-Third sleeve 11-Third temperature sensing cavity 13-Tube wall 14-Inner cavity 15-Proximal end of the guidewire body 16-Distal end of the guidewire body 31-First sensing hole 21-Second sensing hole Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms “an” or “a” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “connected” or “connected,” and similar terms are not limited to the physical or mechanical connection or connection shown in the drawings, but may include equivalent connections or connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, which may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0024] A sensor includes: a first sleeve 1; a first optical fiber 3, at least partially located within the first sleeve 1; a second optical fiber 4, a first end 41 of the second optical fiber located within the first sleeve 1 and disposed opposite to the first optical fiber 3; a second end 42 of the second optical fiber located within a second sleeve 2 and disposed opposite to a reflective member 5 inserted into the second sleeve 2; a first temperature sensing cavity 6, defined by the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber and located between the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber; and a second temperature sensing cavity 7, defined by the second end 42 of the second optical fiber and the reflective member 5 and located between the second end 42 of the second optical fiber and the reflective member 5.

[0025] The distance between the first fiber 1 and the first end 41 of the second fiber is the cavity length of the first temperature sensing cavity 6, and the distance between the second end 42 of the second fiber and the reflective member 5 is the cavity length of the second temperature sensing cavity 7. The first temperature sensing cavity 6 and the second temperature sensing cavity 7 can measure the temperature at different locations without interfering with each other. When the temperature changes, the temperature sensing cavity at the corresponding location will expand and contract due to heat, which will cause the cavity length of the temperature sensing cavity to change. The change in cavity length can be modulated by the principle of interference, thereby realizing the measurement of temperature.

[0026] The first optical fiber 3 is adapted to irradiate the second optical fiber 4 and collect at least a portion of the light reflected from the first end 41 of the second optical fiber, and is also adapted to irradiate the reflective member 5 and collect at least a portion of the light reflected from the reflective member 5.

[0027] The light emitted from the first optical fiber 3 is partially reflected at the first end 41 of the second optical fiber 4 after passing through the first temperature sensing cavity 6. This reflected light is superimposed on the incident light at the end of the first optical fiber 3 to form a first partial modulated light carrying the optical path difference of the first temperature sensing cavity 6. A portion of the light is reflected at the second end 42 of the second optical fiber, and another portion is reflected back to the second end 42 of the second optical fiber by the second temperature sensing cavity 7 and superimposed on the reflection member 5 to form a second partial modulated light carrying the optical path difference of the second temperature sensing cavity 7. Thus, the modulated light returned from the first optical fiber 3 carries optical path difference information corresponding to the cavity lengths of the first temperature sensing cavity 6 and the second temperature sensing cavity 7.

[0028] The sensor disclosed herein has the following advantages: On the one hand, it can simultaneously measure the temperature at two locations without the two temperature sensors interfering with each other. The accuracy of the two temperature sensing cavities can be adjusted separately by selecting the sleeve length and material. Furthermore, demodulation of the two temperature sensing cavities can be achieved in the same optical path, reducing the cost of demodulation. On the other hand, it can also measure the flow rate and volume of the liquid based on the temperature changes at the two locations. The flow rate and volume of the fluid can be measured based on the time difference between the temperature changes in the first temperature sensing cavity 6 and the second temperature sensing cavity 7, as well as the distance between the first temperature sensing cavity 6 and the second temperature sensing cavity 7.

[0029] The first optical fiber 3 and the second optical fiber 4 in the sensor disclosed herein can be single-mode optical fiber, multi-mode optical fiber, or optical fiber coated with polyimide, epoxy resin, or other coatings, or optical fiber with a ceramic sleeve or glass sleeve.

[0030] The measurement accuracy of the first temperature sensing cavity 6 is related to its sensitivity coefficient, which is as follows:

[0031] Sensitivity coefficient = (A1-B1)*L11 + (A1-C1)*L12

[0032] Wherein, A1 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the first sleeve 1, B1 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the first optical fiber 3, C1 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the second optical fiber 4, L11 is the length of the first optical fiber 3 inserted into the first sleeve 1, and L12 is the length of the first end 41 of the second optical fiber inserted into the first sleeve 1.

[0033] The sensitivity coefficient of the first temperature sensing cavity 6 is directly proportional to the length of the first sleeve 1. The longer the first sleeve, the greater the sensitivity coefficient of the first temperature sensing cavity 6, and thus the higher the measurement accuracy of the first temperature sensing cavity 6. The preferred length range of the first sleeve 1 is 5mm-30mm.

[0034] The sensitivity coefficient of the first temperature sensing cavity 6 is directly proportional to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the first sleeve and the optical fiber. The greater the difference in thermal expansion coefficients, the greater the sensitivity coefficient and the higher the measurement accuracy. Therefore, the difference in thermal expansion coefficients and the length of the first sleeve can be selected according to the accuracy requirements, thereby selecting the appropriate material and length of the first sleeve.

[0035] The sensitivity coefficient of the second temperature sensing cavity is calculated using the same method as that of the first temperature sensing cavity. The sensitivity coefficient of the second temperature sensing cavity is as follows:

[0036] Sensitivity coefficient = (A2 - B2) * L21 + (A2 - C2) * L22

[0037] Wherein, A2 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the second sleeve 2, B2 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the second optical fiber 4, C2 is the thermal expansion coefficient of the reflective member 5, L21 is the length of the second end 42 of the second optical fiber inserted into the second sleeve 2, and L22 is the length of the reflective member 5 inserted into the second sleeve 2.

[0038] The sensitivity coefficients of the first and second temperature sensing cavities can be determined according to their respective accuracy requirements, thereby selecting the appropriate materials and sleeve lengths.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first and second optical fibers are selected as single-mode or multimode optical fibers without a sleeve, which has the following advantages: the friction between the optical fiber and the first sleeve is small, which does not hinder the thermal expansion and contraction of the sleeve; and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber is very low, while the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the first sleeve and the optical fiber is large, thus improving the sensitivity coefficient of the first temperature sensing cavity and thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the first temperature sensing cavity. The material of the first sleeve can be ceramic or glass. Such sensors, because they do not contain metal, are resistant to electromagnetic interference, which can improve the accuracy and stability of the sensor when used in medical devices.

[0040] The diameters of the first optical fiber 3 and the second optical fiber 4 can be, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. The inner diameters of the first sleeve 1 and the second sleeve 2 are slightly larger than the outer diameters of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.

[0041] The distance between the first temperature sensing cavity and the second temperature sensing cavity is not limited, and is determined according to the distance between two or more locations where the temperature to be measured is to be determined.

[0042] The end faces of the two ends of the first sleeve 1 can be fixedly connected to the outer surfaces of the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber, respectively, through the adhesive part 8. The ends of the first sleeve 1 can be connected to the outer surfaces of the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber by adhesive or laser welding. The adhesive part 8 can be an adhesive or solder. Optionally, the adhesive part 8 can fix the end face of the end of the second sleeve 2 to the outer surface of the second end 42 of the second optical fiber or the outer surface of the reflective member; or, the reflective member 5 can be fully inserted into the second sleeve 2, and the adhesive part 8 can fix the inner surface of the end of the second sleeve 2 to the end face of the reflective member.

[0043] In one embodiment, the sensor may also include multiple temperature sensing chambers connected in series. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the sensor includes: a first sleeve 1; a first optical fiber 3, at least partially located within the first sleeve 1; a second optical fiber 4, with a first end 41 located in the first sleeve 1 and opposite to the first optical fiber 3; a second end 42 located in the second sleeve 2; a third optical fiber, with a first end 91 inserted into the second sleeve 2 and opposite to the second end 42, and the second end 92 inserted into the third sleeve 10 and opposite to a reflective member 5 inserted into the third sleeve 10; a first temperature sensing cavity 6, defined by the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber and located between the first optical fiber 3 and the first end 41 of the second optical fiber; a second temperature sensing cavity 7, defined by the second end 42 of the second optical fiber and the first end 91 of the third optical fiber and located between the second end 42 of the second optical fiber and the first end 91 of the third optical fiber; and a third temperature sensing cavity 11, defined by the second end 92 of the third optical fiber and the reflective member 5 and located between the second end 92 of the third optical fiber and the reflective member 5.

[0044] This disclosure also provides a guidewire, comprising: a guidewire body, the guidewire body including a tube wall 13 and an inner cavity 14 extending therethrough; the aforementioned sensor is disposed in the inner cavity 14, and a sensing hole is provided on the tube wall at the location of the sensor.

[0045] A first temperature sensing cavity 6 and a second temperature sensing cavity 7 of the sensor are sequentially arranged along the proximal end 15 to the distal end 16 of the guidewire body. A first sensing hole 31 and a second sensing hole 21 are respectively provided on the tube wall 13 of the guidewire body. The first sensing hole 31 is located at the location of the first temperature sensing cavity 6 of the sensor, and the second sensing hole 21 is located at the location of the second temperature sensing cavity 7 of the sensor. The guidewire body may also be provided with an adhesive injection hole to inject adhesive into the inner cavity 14, thereby attaching the first optical fiber 3 or the second optical fiber 4 to the tube wall 13, thereby fixing the sensor.

[0046] The guidewire disclosed herein can be used in systems that provide flow rate or velocity during cardiac surgical procedures, including valvuloplasty, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) (sometimes also called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TAMR). In one embodiment, the distance between the first and second temperature sensing chambers is 5 mm to 150 mm, which can be used to place them upstream and downstream of the valve, respectively, to measure flow rate or velocity.

[0047] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensor, characterized in that, include: First casing; The first optical fiber is at least partially located within the first sleeve; The second optical fiber has a first end located in the first sleeve and is disposed opposite to the first optical fiber; the second end of the second optical fiber is located in the second sleeve and is disposed opposite to the reflective member inserted into the second sleeve. The first temperature sensing cavity is formed by the first end of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber; The second temperature sensing cavity is defined by the second end of the second optical fiber and the reflective member.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first temperature sensing cavity and the second temperature sensing cavity is 5mm-150mm.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is 5mm-30mm.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is selected from one of the following: metal, ceramic or glass.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are unsleeved quartz optical fibers.

6. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The material of the first sleeve or the second sleeve is selected from one of the following: ceramic or glass.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first optical fiber or the second optical fiber is an optical fiber fitted with a ceramic sleeve or a glass sleeve.

8. The sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first sleeve or the second sleeve is made of metal.

9. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first temperature sensing cavity or the second temperature sensing cavity is 10μm-30μm.

10. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflective component is a quartz optical fiber, and the first end of the reflective component is located in the second sleeve; Also includes: A second reflective member is disposed opposite to the second end of the reflective member; The third temperature sensing cavity is defined by the second end of the reflective member and the second reflective member, and is located in the second sleeve or a third sleeve spaced apart from the second sleeve.

11. A pressure guidewire, characterized in that, Includes the sensor described in any one of claims 1-10.

12. The pressure guidewire according to claim 11, characterized in that, include: A guidewire body, the guidewire body including a tube wall and an inner cavity extending through it; The sensor is disposed in the inner cavity, and a sensing hole is provided on the tube wall at the location of the first temperature sensing cavity and the second temperature sensing cavity.

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