Fiber Optic Placement Sensing for Interference-Free Catheter Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic tracking systems for medical devices are prone to interference from consumer electronics and have limited depth range, relying on magnetic fields that can cause signal dropouts and expose patients to radiation.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic shape sensing system using optical fiber technology with reflective gratings to detect the location and confirm the placement of medical devices, incorporating strain and temperature sensing capabilities, and integrating electrocardiogram monitoring for anatomical movement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used to avoid radiation exposure, then patient and clinician safety is improved, but the system becomes prone to interference from consumer electronics and signal dropout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic tracking systems with fiber optic-based sensing systems that use light instead of electromagnetic fields. The fiber optic sensors detect mechanical deformations and anatomical movements through optical signal modulation, eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics while maintaining real-time tracking capability without radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiber optic cables as an intermediary medium between the medical device and the sensing system. These optical fibers transmit mechanical and anatomical information through optical signals rather than electromagnetic fields, serving as an interference-free communication channel that isolates the tracking system from external electromagnetic disturbances.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used for real-time tracking, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the depth range is limited and signal dropout occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into distributed fiber optic sensors placed at multiple locations along the medical device shaft. Each sensor independently measures local deformations and anatomical movements, with data aggregated to provide comprehensive positioning information throughout the entire device length, eliminating the depth limitations of single-point electromagnetic sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based electromagnetic tracking to distributed linear sensing along the length of the medical device. By arranging fiber optic sensors at multiple positions along the device shaft, the system creates a distributed measurement framework that captures positional and anatomical information throughout the entire depth range simultaneously.
3Illumination intensity
If fluoroscopic methods are used for tracking, then visualization capability is improved, but radiation exposure and harmful contrast media are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging with fiber optic-based optical sensing and visualization. The system uses light transmission through fiber optic cables to provide real-time visualization of the medical device and anatomical structures, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation and contrast media while maintaining detailed visual capability throughout the procedure.
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
Provides accurate tracking and confirmation of medical device placement within the vasculature without radiation exposure, overcoming electromagnetic interference and signal dropouts, while enabling real-time visualization and guidance during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor positioned along the optical fiber core is configured to reflect light of a different, specific spectral width... These distributed measurements may include wavelength shifts having a correlation with strain and/or temperature experienced by the sensor
Implementation Method 2
A fiber optic shape sensing system using optical fiber technology with distributed sensors to detect the location and confirm the placement of medical devices
Implementation Method 3
Each optical fiber core is configured to receive light (e.g., broadband) from a console during advancement through the vasculature of a patient, where the broadband light propagates along at least a partial distance of the optical fiber core
Implementation Method 4
Each sensor positioned along the optical fiber core is configured to reflect light of a different, specific spectral width
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system and method directed to detecting placement of a medical device within a patient body, where the system includes a medical device including an optical fiber having core fibers, each of the one or more core fibers including a plurality of sensors each configured to (i) reflect a light signal having an altered characteristic due to strain experienced by the optical fiber. The system further includes logic configured to cause operations of providing an incident light signal to the optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals of different spectral widths of the incident light from the 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 based on the detected fluctuations. In some instances, the detected fluctuations are caused by anatomical movement of the patient body.