Bragg Fiber Optic Tip Sensing for Radiation-Free Vessel Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular guidance methods for medical devices, such as guidewires and catheters, face issues with radiation exposure from fluoroscopic methods and interference in electromagnetic tracking systems, which are prone to electromagnetic interference and signal dropouts.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic shape sensing system using optical fiber technology with distributed sensors to track the distal tip of medical devices, providing confirmation of tip placement and detecting vessel defects by correlating fluctuations with stored data and electrocardiogram monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic methods are used for tracking medical device tips, then location confirmation is achieved, but radiation exposure and harmful contrast media exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic/fluoroscopic tracking systems with a mechanical sensing system using a core fiber that physically contacts the stylet. The core fiber detects mechanical movements and fluctuations of the stylet tip through direct physical contact, eliminating the need for radiation-based fluoroscopic methods while maintaining tip location tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The core fiber acts as an intermediary between the stylet and the monitoring system. It transmits mechanical information about stylet tip movements and fluctuations to the monitoring system through physical contact, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct electromagnetic radiation exposure to track the stylet position
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used to avoid radiation exposure, then radiation exposure is eliminated, but electromagnetic interference and signal dropouts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based tracking with a mechanical contact-based sensing system. The core fiber physically touches the stylet and detects mechanical movements through direct contact, substituting electromagnetic sensing with mechanical sensing to eliminate electromagnetic interference and signal dropout issues
Solution Approach 2:
The core fiber system is self-contained and does not rely on external electromagnetic fields or generators. The mechanical contact between the core fiber and stylet creates a self-sufficient sensing system that generates its own signal through physical contact, making it immune to external electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then line-of-sight reliance is avoided, but interference from consumer electronics occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic sensing with mechanical sensing through direct physical contact. The core fiber mechanically contacts the stylet to detect tip movements, substituting electromagnetic field interactions with mechanical force transmission, thereby eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics like cellular telephones
4Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic methods are used for tip tracking, then location confirmation is achieved, but harmful contrast media exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging methods with direct mechanical sensing through the core fiber. The mechanical contact system detects tip location and movements without requiring contrast media injection, eliminating the associated health risks while maintaining accurate location confirmation capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively tracks the distal tip of medical devices and detects vessel defects without radiation exposure, reducing interference and signal dropouts, while providing accurate location confirmation and defect detection.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor positioned along the optical fiber core is configured to reflect light of a different, specific spectral width
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method directed to detecting damage to an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes core fibers including a plurality of sensors configured to (i) reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and (ii) change a characteristic of the reflected light signal based on experienced strain. The system can include a console having memory storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing receiving reflected light signals of different spectral widths of the broadband incident light by one or more of the plurality of sensors, processing the reflected light signals to detect fluctuations of a portion of the optical fiber, and determining a location of the portion of the optical fiber or a defect affecting a vessel in which the portion is disposed based on the detected fluctuations. The portion may be a distal tip of the optical fiber.