Optical Fiber Sensor Connection Without Keyed Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical shape sensing systems require keyed connectors for proper connection of optical fiber sensors to shape sensing consoles, which restrict backloadability and increase costs and complexity, especially in medical devices like guidewires and catheters.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow optical connection of optical fiber sensors to shape sensing consoles without keyed connectors, using optical response measurement and calibration data reassignment or repositioning to ensure correct core-channel alignment, enabling automatic or manual reconfiguration for accurate shape sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If keyed connectors are used to ensure correct optical connection of fiber cores to channels, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical keyed connector system with an optical identification and matching system. Instead of using mechanical keys to enforce correct alignment, the system uses optical sensors to detect fiber core positions and automatically matches them to the correct channels through software control, thereby eliminating complex mechanical structures while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-alignment through optical detection and automatic calibration. The fiber cores are automatically identified and matched to channels without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical guidance features, allowing the system to selfconfigure the correct connections through optical measurement and software control.
2Manufacturing precision
If keyed connectors are used to ensure correct optical connection, then connection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted backloadability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keyed connectors that restrict backloadability with an optical detection and software-based matching system. This allows simple, unrestricted physical connection of fibers to channels while maintaining high connection accuracy through automatic optical identification and digital matching of fiber cores to their correct channels.
3Measurement precision
If keyed connectors are used to ensure correct fiber core to channel alignment, then shape sensing accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased connection time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary optical characterization of each fiber core during manufacturing or initial setup, storing identification data that enables rapid automatic matching during connection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual alignment procedures while maintaining high measurement precision through automated identification and matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual mechanical alignment with automated optical detection and software-based matching. The system quickly identifies fiber cores through optical measurements and automatically assigns them to correct channels, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining shape sensing accuracy.
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
Facilitates correct optical connection of fiber cores to channels without additional hardware or time, allowing for backloadability and reducing procedure complexity, while maintaining accurate shape sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an optical response of the first fiber core by optically interrogating the first fiber core
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of and a system for optically connecting an optical fiber sensor (12) to an optical shape sensing console (21). The optical shape sensing console (21) has a number of single optical channels (C1, C2, C3). The optical fiber sensor (12) has a number of single fiber cores (A1, A2, A3) angularly spaced with respect to one another around a longitudinal center axis of the fiber sensor (12) and a fiber sensor connection end (30) for connection to an optical coupler (32; 38) connected to the shape sensing console (21). The optical coupler (32; 38) has the optical channels (C1, C2, C3) arranged for optical connection with the fiber cores (A1, A2, A3). A number of single calibration data sets indicative of individual optical properties of the single fiber cores (A1, A2, A3) is assigned to the single optical channels (C1, C2, C3). The fiber sensor connection end (30) is connected to the optical coupler (32; 38) such that a first fiber core (A2) of the fiber cores (A1, A2, A3) is in optical communication with a first optical channel (C1) of the optical channels (C1, C2, C3). An optical response of the first fiber core (A2) is measured by optically interrogating the first fiber core (A2) while a first calibration data set of the calibration data sets is assigned to the first optical channel (C1). The first fiber core (A2) is identified among the fiber cores (A1, A2, A3) of the fiber sensor (12) on the basis of the measured optical response of the first fiber core (A2) and the calibration data sets of the fiber sensor (12). If the first fiber core (A2) is identified as not matching with the first calibration data set used in measuring the optical response, then a second calibration data set of the calibration data sets, which matches with the identified first fiber core (A2), is reassigned to the first optical channel (C1), or the fiber sensor connection end (30) and/or the optical coupler (32; 38) are repositioned such that a second fiber core (A1) matching with the first calibration data set is in optical communication with the first optical channel (C1).