Detection of collisions in medical procedures
First Claim
1. A method of detecting collisions between elements in a medical procedure comprising:
- providing a medical device which is related to a second object in the procedure such that relative movement may occur in the medical procedure;
mounting on either the medical device or the second object a detection device responsive to impacts between the medical device and the second object;
the detection device comprising a flexible body within which is mounted at least one optical fiber arranged such that the impact causes bending of the optical fiber;
and detecting changes in light transmission through the at least one optical fiber to detect the bending and thus the collision.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting collisions between elements in a medical procedure such as between a magnet and another element in the procedure mounting on the medical device a flexible body within which is mounted one or more parallel side by side optical fibers arranged such that the impact causes bending of one or more of the optical fibers and detecting changes in light transmission through the optical fiber to detect the bending and thus the collision. The single fiber or fibers are located in a junction between a lower body of resilient foam and a surface layer of a stiffer flexible material.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting collisions between elements in a medical procedure comprising:
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providing a medical device which is related to a second object in the procedure such that relative movement may occur in the medical procedure;
mounting on either the medical device or the second object a detection device responsive to impacts between the medical device and the second object;
the detection device comprising a flexible body within which is mounted at least one optical fiber arranged such that the impact causes bending of the optical fiber;
and detecting changes in light transmission through the at least one optical fiber to detect the bending and thus the collision. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An impact detection device comprising:
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a flexible body arranged to be mounted on an object expected to be involved in an impact;
at least one optical fiber arranged such that the impact causes bending of the optical fiber;
and a sensing system for detecting changes in light transmission through the at least one optical fiber to detect the bending and thus the collision. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification