Optical Fiber Sensor for Minimally Invasive Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive medical instruments face a tradeoff between data rate and size due to the need for high-data-rate electrical signals, which requires large electrical wires, making them bulkier and less suitable for small diameters.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical fiber to transmit high-data-rate sensor signals from the distal end to the proximal end, with a data conversion device converting electrical signals to optical signals, allowing for a compact and MRI-compatible design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical wires are used to transmit sensor data from the distal end to the proximal end, then high data rate transmission is achieved, but the instrument size increases due to the space required for the wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical wire transmission with optical fiber transmission. The optical fiber transmits sensor data as light signals instead of electrical signals, enabling high data rates while occupying minimal space within the instrument. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing high-speed data transmission without the bulk associated with electrical wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber serves dual functions: it acts as both the mechanical core providing structural support to the instrument and the data transmission medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural components, reducing overall instrument size while maintaining high data transmission capabilities.
2Length of moving object
If the instrument diameter is reduced for minimally invasive use, then patient trauma is reduced, but the space available for data transmission wires is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing electrical wires with optical fibers, the patent enables high data rate transmission within the constrained diameter of minimally invasive instruments. Optical fibers have significantly smaller cross-sectional requirements compared to electrical wires needed for equivalent data rates, allowing high-performance data transmission in compact instrument designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium from electrical to optical, fundamentally altering the physical parameters of data transmission. This parameter change allows for much higher data rates in smaller cross-sections, as optical fibers can transmit vastly more data per unit area compared to electrical conductors.
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 high-speed data transmission while maintaining a small instrument size, reducing noise and allowing for further size reduction by using the optical fiber as both data transmission and mechanical support.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal from the distal end to the proximal end, the optical fiber coupled to the output of the data conversion device for receiving the optical signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a minimally invasive medical instrument (100) having a proximal end (100b) and a distal end (100a) and comprising a sensor arrangement (10) arranged at the distal end (100b) of the medical instrument (100). The sensor arrangement (10) comprises a sensor (20) configured to generate sensor data in the form of an electrical sensor signal, and a data conversion device (40) configured to convert the electrical sensor signal into an optical signal and comprising an electrical input (41) for receiving the electrical sensor signal and an optical output (42) for transmitting the optical signal. The sensor arrangement (10) further comprises an optical fiber (50) configured to transmit the optical signal from the distal end (100a) to the proximal end (100b), the optical fiber (50) coupled to the output of the data conversion device (40) for receiving the optical signal, the optical fiber (50) extending from the distal end(100a) to the proximal end (100b) of the instrument (100).The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a minimally invasive medical instrument (100)