Optical Shape Sensing Fiber for Catheter Event Triggering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In medical procedures, interventional elongated devices like catheters require operators to put down the device or ask for assistance to trigger events, such as tagging landmarks, due to the need for two hands to operate both the device and additional system controls, which is inefficient and disrupts workflow.

Innovation Solution

A medical system equipped with an optical shape sensing fiber that allows users to manipulate the device to trigger events without additional interfaces, using detection and analysis units to recognize specific manipulations, such as deformations or taps, applied to the device to control other system components, enabling single-handed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If additional control interfaces are provided on the medical device, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The medical device monitors and detects its own manipulation actions through integrated sensors that sense the manipulation action on the manipulation section, eliminating the need for separate control interfaces or additional operators to trigger events

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manipulation section serves dual functions: it is both the control interface for triggering events and the functional section of the medical device, allowing the device to perform multiple operations without adding separate control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the medical device is manipulated with one hand, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to lack of additional hand for control

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is merged with the manipulation function by integrating sensors directly into the manipulation section, allowing the same hand that manipulates the device to also trigger events through the manipulation itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors act as intermediaries that detect the manipulation action applied by the user and automatically translate it into event triggering, eliminating the need for a second hand or operator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If multiple operators are used to control the system, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and responds to manipulation actions through integrated sensors, eliminating the need for multiple operators or assistants to control the medical device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensors provide real-time feedback about the manipulation action applied to the manipulation section, enabling the system to automatically determine when an event should be triggered based on the detected action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution allows seamless integration of event triggering with device manipulation, enhancing surgical workflow by utilizing unused degrees of freedom for control, reducing the need for external interfaces and minimizing system complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fiber configured for optical shape sensing of the medical device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical shape sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3350670B1Medical system using optical shape sensing fiber for triggering an event
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3350670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3350670B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP3350670B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical system using an interventional elongated medical device having an optical fiber configured for optical shape sensing of the medical device. The system comprises a detection unit configured to detect a confined manipulation section along the medical device for manipulation by a user without an interaction interface arranged on the medical device and an analysis unit configured to analyze a user manipulation applied to the manipulation section based on optical shape sensing of the medical device in the manipulation section and to trigger an event in the medical system, if the analysis unit identifies the user manipulation in the manipulation section as a specific manipulation associated with the event to be triggered.