System and method employing fiber optic shape tracking
First Claim
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1. A system comprising a medical device comprising:
- a) one or more flexible optical fibers, a first flexible optical fiber of said one or more flexible optical fibers comprising one or more sets of 3 sensors with different emission spectra embedded in the fiber and spaced around the circumference of the fiber, wherein said sensors are configured to report the bending of the one or more flexible optical fibers; and
b) a data collection and analysis component comprising 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.
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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.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system comprising a medical device comprising:
- a) one or more flexible optical fibers, a first flexible optical fiber of said one or more flexible optical fibers comprising one or more sets of 3 sensors with different emission spectra embedded in the fiber and spaced around the circumference of the fiber, wherein said sensors are configured to report the bending of the one or more flexible optical fibers; and
b) a data collection and analysis component comprising 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a) one or more flexible optical fibers, a first flexible optical fiber of said one or more flexible optical fibers comprising one or more sets of 3 sensors with different emission spectra embedded in the fiber and spaced around the circumference of the fiber, wherein said sensors are configured to report the bending of the one or more flexible optical fibers; and
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15. A method for determining the shape of a medical device, comprising:
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a) inserting a medical device comprising one or more flexible optical fibers, a first flexible optical fiber of said one or more flexible optical fibers comprising one or more sets of 3 sensors with different emission spectra embedded in the fiber and spaced around the circumference of the fiber, wherein said sensors are configured to report the bending of the medical device into an environment; and b) detecting bending of said medical device in said environment by collecting information from said sensors. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification