Shape accuracy of fiber optic sensing for medical devices characterized in bench experiments

Abstract

Purpose: Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) is a new technology that visualizes the full threedimensional shape of medical devices, such as catheters and guidewires, using an optical fiber embedded in the device. This three-dimensional shape provides guidance to clinicians during minimally invasive procedures, and enables intuitive navigation. The objective of this paper is to assess the accuracy of the FORS technology, as implemented in the current state-of-the-art Philips FORS system. The FORS system provides the shape of the entire device, including tip location and orientation. We consider all three aspects. Methods: In bench experiments, we determined the accuracy of the location and orientation of the tip by displacing and rotating the fiber end, while allowing the rest of the fiber to change shape freely. To test the accuracy of the full shape, we have placed the fiber in a groove, which was accurately machined in a thick, stiff metal "path plate." We then compared the reconstructed shape with the known shape of the groove. Results: The tip location is found with submillimeter accuracy, and the orientation is sensed with milliradian accuracy. The shape of a fiber in the path plate faithfully follows the known shape of the groove, with typical deviation less than 0.5 mm in the plane of the plate. Out of plane accuracy, perhaps slightly less relevant clinically, is more challenging, due to the influence of twist; yet even out of the plane, the deviation is only submillimeter. Conclusion:The technology achieves submillimeter precision and provides full three-dimensional shape, surpassing the reported precision of other navigation and tracking technologies, and therefore may potentially alleviate the need for fluoroscopy.

3D Visualisation of Navigation Catheters for Endovascular Procedures Using a 3D Hub and Fiber Optic RealShape Technology: Phantom Study Results

“…The details of the platform have been described previously. 12 , 13 Briefly, the trolley includes a laser that sends light through a multicore optical fibre integrated in a specially designed guidewire. Twists and bends in the optical fibre influence the wavelength spectrum of the reflected light, which enables the reconstruction of the 3D shape of the optical fibre.…”

Advanced Bronchoscopic Technologies for Biopsy of the Pulmonary Nodule: A 2021 Review

“…Shape sensing solves the problems of CT-to-body divergence and respiratory variability by entirely changing how we identify locations. The tools used during this procedure are embedded with fiberoptic wires [ 61 ]. A pre-procedure CT scan is still required to identify the operator-identified target-lesion and pathway, but from that point forward, the operator is guided by the system.…”

Embedded measurement of process monitoring in melt-cast explosive based on distributed optical fiber sensing and numerical verification

“…Fiber optic sensors have been widely used in various fields for decades due to their excellent performance, showing extraordinary prospects. In recent years, DOFS has been applied in aircraft structures [15], civil engineering [16], medical devices [17], structural health monitoring [18] and other fields [19][20][21]. As a sensor, optical fiber has many key advantages over other traditional sensors, such as large range, adaptability to harsh environments, high embeddability, sensitivity to a wide range of parameters, resistance to electromagnetic and voltage, etc [22].…”