Fiber Optic Tip Tracking for Radiation-Free Device Placement
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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 and exposing patients to radiation and contrast media.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic shape sensing system using optical fiber technology with distributed sensors to detect and confirm the location of medical device tips, incorporating strain and temperature sensing, and integrating with electrocardiogram monitoring for anatomical movement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used to track medical device tips, then radiation exposure and contrast media exposure are eliminated, but the systems become 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 sensing. Optical fibers use light propagation and strain-induced wavelength shifts rather than magnetic fields, eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics while maintaining the ability to track medical device tips and measure anatomical fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary sensing element within the medical device. These fibers transmit mechanical strain and temperature information from the distal tip back to the console through optical signals, enabling reliable tracking without direct electromagnetic field interaction that causes interference
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then tracking capability is achieved, but the depth range is limited and signal dropout occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into distributed optical fiber sensors placed along the medical device. Multiple sensing points along the fiber provide continuous spatial information, extending the effective depth range and eliminating signal dropout by having redundant sensing locations rather than relying on a single electromagnetic sensor
3Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic methods are used for tracking, then tip localization is achieved, but patients are exposed to harmful X-ray radiation and contrast media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical sensing for electromagnetic/fluoroscopic sensing. By measuring strain-induced wavelength shifts in optical fibers rather than using X-rays and magnetic fields, the system achieves tip localization accuracy without exposing patients to ionizing radiation or requiring contrast media
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber sensors are self-powered and self-sensing, requiring no external radiation or contrast media to function. The fibers passively detect mechanical strain and temperature at the distal tip and transmit this information optically back to the console, making the system independent of harmful external agents
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 interference issues and enhancing depth range, while enabling real-time visualization and machine-learning assisted guidance.
Implementation Method 1
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 medical instrument. These distributed measurements may include wavelength shifts having a correlation with strain and/or temperature experienced by the sensor
Implementation Method 2
These distributed measurements may include wavelength shifts having a correlation with strain and/or temperature experienced by the sensor
Implementation Method 3
the medical instrument includes an optical fiber having one or more optical fiber cores, where each are configured with an array of sensors (reflective gratings), which are spatially distributed over a prescribed length of the core fiber to generally sense external strain and temperature on those regions of the core fiber occupied by the sensor
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.