Fiber-Optic Reference Plane for Radiation-Free Device Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular guidance of medical devices using fluoroscopic methods exposes patients and clinicians to harmful radiation and contrast media.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic shape sensing system that uses optical fibers with distributed sensors to determine the three-dimensional shape of medical devices, enabling a reference frame for accurate device placement without radiation, by processing reflected light signals to define a viewing perspective and render a 3D image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic methods are used for intravascular guidance of medical devices, then device placement accuracy is improved, but patient and clinician exposure to harmful radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic (radiation-based) methods with optical fiber sensing technology. Optical fibers with distributed strain sensors measure the 3D shape of medical devices by detecting light signal changes caused by mechanical deformation, providing radiation-free guidance with comparable or superior precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary sensing element that indirectly measures device position and shape through light signal modulation. The optical fibers act as a mediator between the medical device and the measurement system, enabling precise shape detection without direct radiation exposure
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic methods are used for intravascular guidance, then device localization is improved, but exposure to harmful contrast media increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes contrast media-based fluoroscopic imaging with optical fiber strain sensing. The optical fibers directly measure mechanical deformation of the device to infer its 3D shape and position, eliminating the need for contrast media injection while maintaining localization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the device's physical state through light signal modulation. The distributed strain sensors along the optical fiber generate a digital representation of the device's 3D shape, replacing the need for contrast media to make the device visible
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optical fiber shape sensing is used instead of fluoroscopy, then radiation exposure is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the optical fiber system: the same optical fiber with distributed strain sensors simultaneously provides 3D shape measurement, device localization, and guidance information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems despite the advanced sensing technology
4Measurement precision
If distributed strain sensors are used in optical fibers, then measurement precision is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical fiber into multiple sensing segments or sections, each with distributed strain sensors. The total shape measurement is obtained by segmenting the fiber into manageable sections and processing their individual strain signals separately, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining high precision
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
Enables safe and precise medical device placement by providing a radiation-free method for visualizing the 3D shape of devices within the body, reducing exposure to harmful radiation and contrast media.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to: (i) reflect a light signal of a different spectral width based on received incident light
Implementation Method 2
change a characteristic of the reflected light signal based on strain experienced by the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method directed to detecting placement of a medical device within a patient body, the system including a medical device including an optical fiber having core fibers. Each of the one or more core fibers can include a plurality of sensors each configured to reflect a light signal having an altered characteristic due to strain experienced by the optical fiber. The system can further include logic configured to determine a 3D shape of the medical device in accordance with the strain of the optical fiber. The logic can be configured to define a reference plane for the 3D shape and render an image of the 3D shape on a display of the system in accordance with the reference plane.