Multi-Core Fiber Orientation Sensing for Radiation-Free Catheter Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic tracking systems for medical devices are prone to interference from consumer electronics and have limited depth range, relying on external sensors and susceptible to signal dropout, while fluoroscopic methods expose patients to radiation and contrast media.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic shape sensing system using a multi-core optical fiber with spatially distributed reflective gratings to determine the orientation and shape of medical instruments within the vasculature, providing real-time 2D or 3D displays based on wavelength shifts of reflected light.
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 is eliminated, but the system becomes susceptible to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics and has limited depth range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic tracking systems with a fiber optic-based sensing system. Instead of using electromagnetic fields to track medical device position, the system uses optical fibers with reflective gratings that detect mechanical deformation and orientation through wavelength shifts of reflected light. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from consumer electronics while maintaining real-time tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium between the medical device and the detection system. The optical fibers carry wavelength shift information from the reflective gratings on the device to the analysis system, enabling indirect measurement of device orientation and position without direct electromagnetic field interaction, thus avoiding interference from external electronic devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then radiation-free tracking is achieved, but signal dropout occurs and external sensors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by embedding reflective gratings directly onto the medical device surface, allowing the device to sense and report its own orientation and position without requiring external sensors or complex external tracking infrastructure. The device itself carries the sensing function, eliminating signal dropout issues associated with external sensor requirements.
3Productivity
If fluoroscopic methods are used to track medical device tips, then real-time imaging is obtained, but patients are exposed to harmful X-ray radiation and contrast media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic X-ray imaging with optical sensing using reflective gratings on the medical device. Instead of using ionizing radiation to visualize the device tip, the system uses wavelength shifts of reflected light caused by mechanical deformation of the optical fibers, providing real-time imaging without radiation or contrast media exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers with reflective gratings as an intermediary sensing mechanism between the medical device and the imaging system. This intermediary converts mechanical device position and orientation information into optical wavelength shift signals, enabling real-time visualization without requiring harmful fluoroscopic radiation or contrast media.
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 accurate, radiation-free tracking of medical devices within the body, overcoming interference issues and providing anatomically oriented displays for precise placement, reducing exposure to harmful radiation and contrast media.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-core optical fiber 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 multi-core optical fiber toward the distal end
Implementation Method 2
each core fiber of the multi-core optical fiber is 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 those regions of the core fiber occupied by the sensor
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 placing a medical device into a body of a patient, including performing operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to a plurality of core fibers of a multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals of different wavelengths, and processing the reflected light signals associated with the plurality of core fibers to determine (i) a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber relating to the medical device including the multi-core optical fiber, and (ii) an orientation of the multi-core optical fiber relative to a reference frame of the body. Additional operations include generating a display illustrating the physical state of the multi-core optical fiber based at least on the orientation determined during processing of the reflected light. Typically, the display is a two-dimensional representation of the multi-core optical fiber in accordance with the determined orientation.