Optical Fiber Shape Sensor with Curving Direction Regulating Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shape sensors for endoscopes face challenges in accurately detecting curved shapes and bending directions within body cavies due to external forces and torsion, especially when limited to few holding points, leading to distortion and imprecise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A shape sensor system incorporating a curving direction regulating section, such as a core member with specific cross-sectional structures, is integrated into the optical fiber to control bending direction and enhance rigidity in desired axes, allowing precise measurement of curved shapes by varying light loss amounts based on fiber curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shape sensor is inserted into body cavities with few holding points, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to distortion from external forces and torsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing rigidity-enhancing sections at specific locations along the optical fiber rather than uniformly throughout. These sections are strategically positioned to resist external forces and torsion where they are most likely to occur during insertion, while maintaining flexibility in other regions for ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining optical fiber with rigidity-enhancing sections made of different materials that provide enhanced mechanical strength and torsion resistance. This composite structure allows the sensor to maintain both flexibility for insertion and rigidity for accurate shape detection.
2Measurement precision
If the optical fiber is made more rigid to resist external forces, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced flexibility for navigating body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber into distinct regions: flexible sections that allow easy navigation through body cavities and rigidity-enhancing sections that provide measurement stability. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic structure where the optical fiber can transition between flexible and rigid states. The rigidity-enhancing sections provide stiffness when needed for measurement, while the overall structure remains capable of bending and flexing for navigation, creating a dynamically adaptable system.
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
The system effectively regulates bending direction, reducing distortion and enabling precise measurement of curved shapes even with few holding points, by utilizing light loss variations to determine bending amounts and directions, thus improving accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber configured to propagate desired detection light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a change in characteristics of the light detected through the detection object section in accordance with a change in curvature of the optical fiber when the optical fiber curves
Data Source
AI summary
A shape sensor comprises a shape sensor main body which comprises an optical fiber capable, a detection object section, and a light detecting section to detect the detection light and which is capable of measuring a shape of a measurement target object by utilizing a change in characteristics of the light detected through the detection object section in accordance with a change in curvature of the optical fiber when the optical fiber curves; and a curving direction regulating section which is provided on at least a part of the optical fiber along an optical axis thereof and regulates a curvable direction of the optical fiber to a desired direction; wherein the curving direction regulating section is a core member which is disposed in at least a part of the shape sensor main body along the light propagating direction of the optical fiber and whose main curving direction is regulated.