Optical fiber instrument system for detecting and decoupling twist effects

• US 8,705,903 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Younge, Robert G., Ramamurthy, Bhaskar S., Schlesinger, Randall L., Udd, Eric, Tanner, Neal A.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAHLL, JERRY T
• Application Number:
  US13/594,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20120321243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 385/13, 600/182
• US Class Current: 385/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/009 with bending or curvature detection of the insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00053 Mapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2061 using shape-sensors, e.g. fiber shape sensors with Bragg gratings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/022 using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper G02B6/02204 takes precedence; optical modulation using photo-elastic effect G02F1/0131

Abstract

An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, and a detector is provided. The elongate body is capable of being twisted. The optical fiber includes a first portion coupled to the elongate body and a second portion having a curved shape adapted to reduce transfer of twisting or bending from the elongate body to the second portion, the second portion having a strain sensor provided thereon. The detector is coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor.

Claims

1. An instrument system comprising:

an elongate body capable of being twisted;

an optical fiber comprising a first portion coupled to the elongate body and a second portion having a curved shape adapted to reduce transfer of twisting or bending from the elongate body to the second portion, the second portion having a strain sensor provided thereon; and

a detector coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor.

2. The instrument system of claim 1, wherein the elongate body and the second portion are not in direct contact.

3. The instrument system of claim 1, wherein the curved shape forms a buffer loop or a service loop.

4. The instrument system of claim 3, wherein the buffer loop or a service loop is disposed near a proximal end of the elongate body to decouple the optical fiber from the elongate body such that twist from the twisting or bending of the elongate body is not induced to the optical fiber.

5. The instrument system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to determine twist of the second portion based on the signal from the strain sensor.

6. An instrument system comprising:

an elongate body capable of being twisted;

an optical fiber having a strain sensor provided thereon;

a rotatable fastener that couples the optical fiber to the elongate body, wherein the rotatable fastener is adapted to reduce transfer of twist from the elongate body to the optical fiber; and

a detector coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor.

7. The instrument system of claim 6, wherein the rotatable fastener comprises a ball-bearing collar, swivel joint, or universal joint.

8. The instrument system of claim 6, wherein the rotatable fastener couples the optical fiber at a proximal end of the elongate body so as to prevent binding or coupling of the optical fiber to the elongate body.

9. An instrument system comprising:

an elongate body having a lumen, the elongate body capable of being twisted;

an optical fiber having a strain sensor provided thereon, wherein the optical fiber is in the lumen and is rotationally stiff, and wherein the lumen has a non-binding wall surface adapted to reduce transfer of twist from the elongate body to the optical fiber; and

a detector coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor.

10. The instrument system of claim 9, wherein the wall surface of the lumen has a smooth material provided thereon.