Optical Shape Sensing Fiber Triggering in Medical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments face challenges in efficiently triggering events, such as positioning or orientation, due to the need for two hands or non-sterile devices, which can compromise workflow and sterility.
Innovation Solution
A triggering device utilizing a shape sensing optical fiber, which is integrated into a medical instrument, allows for user input by changing the fiber's properties, such as curvature or axial strain, and interpreting these changes to generate a trigger signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mouse or external triggering device is used for user input during medical procedures, then triggering functionality is achieved, but sterility is compromised and workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the triggering function with the medical instrument itself by integrating an optical fiber into the instrument's structure. The optical fiber serves dual purposes: maintaining sterility as part of the instrument and enabling user input through shape changes. This merging eliminates the need for separate external triggering devices that would compromise sterility or workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The medical instrument triggers events through its own shape changes detected by the integrated optical fiber, without requiring external devices or additional operators. The instrument essentially triggers itself by changing its configuration, which is detected and translated into trigger signals, thereby serving its own triggering needs and improving workflow efficiency
2Measurement precision
If two hands or two operators are used for positioning and triggering, then accurate positioning is achieved, but workflow efficiency and sterility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables single-operator operation by having the medical instrument trigger events through its own shape changes. The integrated optical fiber detects the instrument's configuration changes and automatically generates trigger signals, eliminating the need for a second operator to press external buttons or mice, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while improving workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber provides real-time feedback on the instrument's shape and position, enabling the system to detect when triggering conditions are met and automatically generate trigger signals. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate positioning is maintained while allowing single-operator control
3Ease of operation
If external triggering devices are used, then triggering functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the triggering functionality into the existing medical instrument structure by integrating an optical fiber that detects shape changes. This combination eliminates the need for separate external triggering devices, buttons, or mice, thereby maintaining full triggering functionality while reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical fiber serves multiple functions: it provides shape sensing for navigation and simultaneously enables triggering functionality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated triggering components, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
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 enables efficient and precise user input within medical instruments, maintaining sterility and improving workflow, while also allowing for integration with existing medical devices with minimal modifications.
Implementation Method 1
Optical shape sensing (OSS) uses reflected light along one or more optical fibers to reconstruct a shape. A principle involved makes use of distributed strain measurement in the optical fiber using characteristic Rayleigh backscatter
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A triggering device includes an optical fiber (126) configured for optical shape sensing. A supporting element (104) is configured to support a portion of the optical fiber. An interface element (106) is configured to interact with the optical fiber associated with the supporting element to cause a change in a property of the fiber. A sensing module (115) is configured to interpret an optical signal to determine changes in the property of the fiber and accordingly generate a corresponding trigger signal.