SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS EMPLOYING FIBER OPTIC SHAPE TRACKING

• US 20110172519A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tufts University, University Health Network, The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (University of Toronto)
• Original Assignee: Tufts University
• Inventors: Milgram, Paul, Lilge, Lothar, Cao, Caroline G. L., Wong, Peter Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/009 with bending or curvature detection of the insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2061 using shape-sensors, e.g. fiber shape sensors with Bragg gratings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02052 comprising optical elements other than gratings, e.g. filters comprising gratings G02B6/02057

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods employing fiber optic shape and position tracking. The systems, devices, and methods permit measurement of and continuous tracking of the shape and position of objects whose shape dynamically changes with time. Applications include tracking and monitoring of endoscopes for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Claims

1. A system comprising a medical device comprising an optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising a plurality of sensors configured to report the shape and position of the medical device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises a guide wire.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises an endoscope.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the endoscope is a colonoscope.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said medical device comprises two or more optical fibers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said medical device contains a single optical fiber.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors comprise a plurality of fluorophores having different spectral properties.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors comprise a plurality of quantum dots having different spectral properties.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors are spaced along the length and circumference of the optical fiber at defined locations.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said different circumferential locations are approximately 120 degrees apart from one another.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are embedded in a region of the fiber created by removal of a portion of a buffer and/or cladding layer of the fiber.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said shape comprises bends in said medical device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said shape comprises pitch and yaw of a region of said medical device.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data collection and analysis component.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said data collection and analysis component comprises a detector configured to detect signal from said sensors, a computer processor for processing data associated with said signal to generate shape information, and a user interface for displaying said shape information to a user.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said user interface further displays an image of an environment located at the distal end of the medical device.

20. A method of manufacturing a medical device of claim 1, comprising:

a) modifying an optical fiber by removing a portion of a buffer and/or cladding material of said optical fiber to create a plurality of cavities and inserting sensors into said plurality of cavities; and

b) associating said optical fiber with a medical device such that the fiber is positioned to detect the shape of the medical device.

17. A method for determining the shape of a medical device, comprising:

a) inserting a medical device comprising an optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising a plurality of sensors into an environment; and

b) detecting the shape of said medical device in said environment by collecting information from said sensors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said environment is a colon.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said medical device is a colonoscope.