Fiber-Optic Force Sensors for MRI-Guided Interventions and Rehabilitation: A Review

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides both anatomical imaging with excellent soft tissue contrast and functional MRI imaging (fMRI) of physiological parameters. The last two decades have witnessed the manifestation of increased interest in MRI-guided minimally invasive intervention procedures and fMRI for rehabilitation and neuroscience research. Accompanying the aspiration to utilize MRI to provide imaging feedback during interventions and brain activity for neuroscience study, there is an accumulated effort to utilize force sensors compatible with the MRI environment to meet the growing demand of these procedures, with the goal of enhanced interventional safety and accuracy, improved efficacy and rehabilitation outcome. This paper summarizes the fundamental principles, the state of the art development and challenges of fiber optic force sensors for MRI-guided interventions and rehabilitation. It provides an overview of MRI-compatible fiber optic force sensors based on different sensing principles, including light intensity modulation, wavelength modulation, and phase modulation. Extensive design prototypes are reviewed to illustrate the detailed implementation of these principles. Advantages and disadvantages of the sensor designs are compared and analyzed. A perspective on the future development of fiber optic sensors is also presented which may have additional broad clinical applications. Future surgical interventions or rehabilitation will rely on intelligent force sensors to provide situational awareness to augment or complement human perception in these procedures.

In Vivo Optogenetic Modulation with Simultaneous Neural Detection Using Microelectrode Array Integrated with Optical Fiber

“…For example, researchers integrate high-resolution twist/torsion optical fiber sensors to monitor eventual movements of the patients utilizing the electromagnetic interference independency (EMI) of optical fibers [27]. Furthermore, some optical fiber-based sensors also are studied for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) interventions [28]. The optical fiber force sensors can help to provide force sensing in the MRI interventions, which increases the safety or accuracy of interventions.…”

MRI Robots for Needle-Based Interventions: Systems and Technology

“…To the best of our knowledge, there is no commercial MRI safe or MRI conditional force sensor available in the market. However, a review paper covering custom-made MRI safe or MRI conditional force sensors has been published recently [90]. This paper focused on fiber-optic based force sensors for interventional applications and rehabilitation devices.…”

Force calibration for an endovascular robotic system with proximal force measurement

“…' 3 The distal forces are direct measurements of contact forces between the tool tip and vasculature and are measured with special active catheters that are equipped with sensors at the tip. [4][5][6][7][8] Active catheters here refer to catheters with steerable mechanism usually have distal force sensors close to their tips. These active catheters do not measure FIGURE 1 Endovascular robotic system.…”