Multi-Core Fiber Optic Self-Diagnostics for Medical Device 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 distributed sensors to track medical instruments in the vasculature, providing 3D information and detecting damage or kinks through wavelength shifts in reflected light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used to track medical devices, then radiation exposure and contrast media are avoided, but the systems are prone to interference from consumer electronics and have limited depth range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based tracking with optical fiber-based tracking. The optical fiber system uses light propagation through fiber optic cables to track the medical device, eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics while maintaining the ability to track device position and orientation without radiation exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber system serves multiple functions: it provides tracking information, detects damage or kinks through wavelength shifts, and can be combined with ECG and blood flow monitoring. This multi-functionality enhances reliability while avoiding the interference problems of electromagnetic systems
2Ease of operation
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then line-of-sight reliance is avoided, but signal drop out occurs and depth range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electromagnetic wave propagation with light propagation through optical fibers. This allows the tracking system to maintain continuous signal transmission regardless of the device's position or orientation in the vasculature, eliminating signal dropout and extending the effective depth range through the fiber optic cable
3Measurement precision
If fiber optic shape sensing is used for tracking, then accurate 3D information is obtained without radiation, but the system complexity increases with multiple core fibers and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical fiber into multiple core fibers, each containing sensors at different positions along the fiber length. This segmentation allows distributed sensing throughout the fiber, providing detailed 3D shape information while enabling the system to tolerate damage to individual fibers or sensor sections
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the reflected light wavelength shifts are continuously monitored to detect damage or kinks. This feedback allows the system to identify and compensate for fiber damage, maintaining tracking precision even when some core fibers are compromised
4Reliability
If optical fiber damage detection is implemented, then functionality is maintained with partial damage, but the detection system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own reflected light characteristics. When damage or kinks occur, the wavelength shifts in the reflected light automatically indicate the location and nature of the damage, allowing the system to identify functional compromises without requiring external diagnostic equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple core fibers with distributed sensors, providing redundancy. If some fibers or sensor sections are damaged, the remaining functional fibers continue to provide sufficient tracking information, maintaining overall system reliability while the damage detection system identifies the extent of the compromise
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 offers accurate tracking and damage detection without radiation exposure, maintaining functionality even with partial fiber damage, and combining with ECG and blood flow monitoring for enhanced precision.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber core is configured to receive broadband light 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 toward the distal end
Implementation Method 2
Given that each sensor positioned along the optical fiber core is configured to reflect light of a different, specific spectral width, the array of sensors enables distributed measurements throughout the prescribed length of the multi-core optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
These distributed measurements may include wavelength shifts having a correlation with strain experienced by the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method directed to detecting damage to an optical fiber of a medical device. The optical fiber includes one or more core fibers each including a plurality of sensors configured to (i) reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and (ii) alter the reflected light signal for use in determining a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber. The system also includes a console having non-transitory computer-readable medium storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to the multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals, receiving reflected light signals of different spectral widths of the broadband incident light by one or more of the plurality of sensors, identifying at least one unexpected spectral width or a lack of an expected spectral width, and determining the damage has occurred to the optical fiber based on the identification.