Multicore Fiber Bragg Grating Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the position and shape of elongated medical devices, such as catheters and endoscopes, during minimally invasive procedures are limited by accuracy due to factors like radiation exposure and the need for correlation between different measurement techniques, and existing optical methods are not precise enough to overcome these limitations.

Innovation Solution

A measurement system utilizing a multicore fiber with inscribed Bragg gratings that provides accurate positional and shape information based on optical signals, allowing for high-resolution determination of insertion length and position, potentially combined with other techniques like imaging for enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If medical imaging techniques are used to determine device position, then position information is provided to the surgeon, but hazardous radiation exposure is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radiation-based medical imaging techniques with an optical measurement system using a multicore fiber. The fiber contains multiple Bragg gratings that reflect specific wavelengths of light, allowing position and shape determination through optical signals without requiring hazardous radiation exposure to the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multicore fiber with Bragg gratings as an intermediary measurement tool. This fiber is inserted into the elongated medical device and serves as a mediator that provides position information through optical reflections, eliminating the need for external radiation-based imaging while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If optical multicore fiber is used to determine device shape and position, then shape information can be obtained, but accuracy is limited due to side effects such as twist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy under twist conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fiber into multiple independent measurement channels by incorporating multiple Bragg gratings with different reflection wavelengths at different positions along the fiber. Each grating acts as an independent sensor, and by analyzing the pattern of reflected wavelengths, the system can determine the fiber's shape and position while compensating for rotational effects like twist that would affect single-channel measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If multiple measurement techniques are used to obtain position information, then comprehensive data is collected, but correlation between different techniques is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of position informationVSAvoidcomplexity of correlating measurement techniques

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines shape sensing and position determination into a single integrated optical measurement system. The multicore fiber with multiple Bragg gratings simultaneously provides both shape information (through the spatial distribution of grating reflections) and position information (through the overall reflection pattern), eliminating the need to correlate data from separate measurement techniques and simplifying the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise guidance of elongated medical devices with improved accuracy, reducing radiation exposure and eliminating the need for correlation between measurement techniques, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of Bragg gratings are inscribed in the multicore fiber, the plurality of Bragg gratings being spaced apart from each other and being positioned along the length of the multicore fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBragg diffraction: Bragg Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS20230185018A1Determining position or insertion length of an enlongated device

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 FBGS TECH GMBH

AI summary

A measurement system for assisting in guiding an elongated medical device in a body is described. The measurement system comprises a multicore fiber for insertion into an elongated medical device such that a position of the tip of the multicore fiber corresponds with a position near the tip of the elongated medical device, the multicore fiber comprising a plurality of cores, and a measurement device being adapted for determining, based on the optical signals measured from the multicore fiber, a known shape applied to the multicore fiber, and for deriving based thereon, a length of the portion of the multicore fiber that has been introduced in the body or a position of the multicore fiber in the body.