CN101404921A - Fiber optic instrument sensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical instrument system comprises an elongate instrument body (33); an optical fiber (12) coupled in a constrained manner to the elongate instrument body, the optical fiber including one or more Bragg gratings; a detector (15) operably coupled to a proximal end of the optical fiber and configured to detect respective light signals reflected by the one or more Bragg gratings; and a controller operatively coupled to the detector, wherein the controller is configured to determine a geometric configuration of at least a portion of the elongate instrument body based on a spectral analysis of the detected reflected portions of the light signals.

Description

Fiber optic instrument sensing system

Technical field

Present invention relates in general to medical apparatus and instruments, but invade the elongated control instrument of getting involved or diagnosing such as being used for minimum level, and more specifically, relate to a kind of position and/or method of temperature, system and device that is used for sensing or measures one or more remote location of this elongated medical apparatus and instruments handled of edge.

Background technology

The minimum level invasion procedure of at present known diagnosis that is used for physical state and treatment adopt elongated apparatus (such as conduit or have more inflexible arm or axle) come near and be devoted to handle intravital various organizational structure.Because a variety of causes, the part that can determine the apparatus that these are elongated is very valuable with respect to the three-dimensional space position of other structures (such as operating-table), other apparatuses or linked groups's structure.The temperature that can detect the position of apparatus also is valuable.Can adopt traditional technology (such as, can be from such as Johnson ﹠amp; The Electromagnetic Position Sensor that the supplier of the Biosense Webster branch company of Johnson company buys, the perhaps traditional hot galvanic couple that can buy from supplier) measure three-dimensional space position or temperature respectively such as Keithley apparatus company, but because member geometrical constraint, the active difficult problem of electromagnetism etc. and may be confined to be used in during elongated medical apparatus and instruments uses.

Need alternative technology to assist and in monitoring three-dimensional space position and/or temperature, carry out minimum level intrusion intervention or diagnostic procedure.

Well-known, come the wavelength change in the detection of reflected light by using Bragg equation (wavelength=2 * d * sin θ), can determine the percentage elongation of the diffraction grating figure that longitudinally is provided with along fiber or other slim-lined constructions.In addition, by means of understanding, can calculate the temperature reading of diffraction grating position to the thermal expansion character of the fiber of carrying diffraction grating figure or other slim-lined constructions.

Can be from Luna Innovation company such as Bu Laike Regensburg town, Virginia, the Micron Optics company in Atlanta, Georgia city, the LxSixPhotonics company of Quebec, Canada, and what is called " optical fiber Bragg grating " (" the FBG ") pick off of that acquisition of manufacturer of the Ibsen Photonics A/S of Denmark or its member have been used in the strain that comes in the various application in the measurement structure (such as highway bridge and wing), and the temperature in the structure (such as supply chamber).

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to measure the strain and/or the temperature of the distal portion office of steerable conduit or other elongate medical devices, to help to carry out medical diagnosis or intervention procedure.

In one embodiment, the medical apparatus and instruments system comprises: flexible slender bodies; Be attached to the respective proximal part of this slender bodies and a plurality of optical fiber cores of distal portions, each optical fiber core all comprises a plurality of Bragg gratings that separate; The detector that comprises frequency domain reflectometer, this detector may be operably coupled to the respective proximal of fibre core and are configured for the part that is reflected by corresponding Bragg grating that detects light wave; And controller, this controller may be operably coupled to detector and is configured for based on the structure of the spectrum analysis of the reflecting part of detected light wave being determined at least a portion of this slender bodies.Each fibre core all has corresponding broadband reference reflector, and these broadband reference reflector are to be operatively connected to fibre core by corresponding a plurality of Bragg gratings.Selectively, a plurality of optical fiber cores can be incorporated in the optical fiber.

Description of drawings

Accompanying drawing shows the design and the effectiveness of illustrated embodiment of the present invention, and in the accompanying drawing, similar element is represented by common reference number.

Fig. 1 shows the example of elongated implement, such as traditional manually operated conduit.

Fig. 2 shows another example of elongated implement, such as the steerable catheter of mechanization driving.

Fig. 3 A-Fig. 3 C shows the optical fiber that will have Bragg grating and is implemented into elongated implement (but conduit of handling such as mechanization).

Fig. 4 A-Fig. 4 D shows the optical fiber that will have Bragg grating and is implemented into elongated implement (but conduit of handling such as mechanization).

Fig. 5 A-Fig. 5 D shows the optical fiber that will have Bragg grating and is implemented into elongated implement (such as the conduit of mechanically handling).

Fig. 6 shows the elongated implement cross-sectional view of (such as comprising the fibre-optic conduit that has Bragg grating).

Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view of elongated implement (such as the conduit that comprises multifilament Bragg grating structure).

Fig. 8 shows the cross-sectional view of elongated implement (such as the conduit that comprises multifilament Bragg grating structure).

Fig. 9 A-Fig. 9 B shows the vertical view and the cross-sectional view of elongated implement (such as the conduit with the stringy texture that has Bragg grating).

Figure 10 A-Figure 10 B shows the vertical view and the cross-sectional view of elongated implement (such as the conduit with the stringy texture that has Bragg grating).

Figure 11 A-Figure 11 B shows the vertical view and the cross-sectional view of elongated implement (such as the conduit with the stringy texture that has Bragg grating).

Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H shows the cross-sectional view of the elongated implement with various position of fibers and structure.

Figure 13 shows the optical fiber sensing system that has Bragg grating.

Figure 14 A-Figure 14 B shows the optical fiber sensing system that has Bragg grating.

Figure 15 A-Figure 15 B shows the optical fiber sensing system structure that has Bragg grating.

Figure 16 A-Figure 16 D shows the optical fiber sensing system is attached in the guiding catheter structure of mechanization control.

Figure 17 A-Figure 17 G shows the optical fiber sensing system is attached in the sheath catheter structure of mechanization control.

Figure 18 shows the cross-sectional view of the fibre bundle in the working chamber that is in conduit.

The specific embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, but show the conduit 1 of traditional manual control.Can optionally strain backguy 2 by the handle on the proximal part of control lead structure 3 so that conduit to have more flexible distal portions 5 controllably crooked or handle.Handle 3 for example can turn or be connected to slidably proximal catheter structure 34, and this proximal catheter structure can be configured to and can be held in the hand, and can be connected to the elongated portion 35 of conduit 1.The more near-end of conduit but usually more uncontrolled part 4 can be configured in compliance with (for example from the load of surrounding tissue, to help to make conduit (part that comprises proximal part) to pass such as by angiopoietic those crooked routes), but compare with distal portions 5, this part is still not steerable.

With reference to Fig. 2, show and U.S. Patent application series the 11/176th, but the conduit 6 that those similar mechanizations of describing in detail in No. 598 are handled.But some similarities of the conduit 1 of the manual control among this conduit 6 and Fig. 1 are, this conduit 6 have far-end with have more the backguy 10 that flex section 8 links to each other, compare with being configured to difficult manipulation proximal part 7 harder and more counter-bending or that handle, this has more flex section and is configured to when with various forms tension backguy 10 this and has more that flexible part is handled or bending.But the described embodiment of the steerable catheter 6 that mechanization drives comprises near-end axis or axle 9, this near-end axis or axle are configured at first not contact with finger or hands but engage with electromechanical apparatus driver, this electromechanical apparatus driver is configured to adjust and drive every axle 9 by means of computer, with the accurate manipulation or crooked the moving of carrying out conduit 6.Axle 9 can be connected to proximal catheter structure 32 rotationally, this proximal catheter structure can be configured to be mounted to electromechanical apparatus drive assembly (such as above-mentioned U.S. Patent application series the 11/176th, describe in No. 598), and can be connected to the elongated portion 33 of conduit 6.

Each embodiment described in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 all can have the working chamber (not shown) of the central axis below that for example is positioned catheter body or can not have this working chamber.If working chamber is formed by guide-tube structure, then it can directly extend to outside the far-end of conduit, perhaps can be covered or block by the far-end of conduit.In many processing procedures, obtain about these conduits or other elongated implement (such as, can be from such as Johnson ﹠amp; The accurate information of remote location those that the supplier of the Biosense Webster branch company of Johnson company or Intuitive Surgical company buys) is very useful.But following example and relevant explanation thereof are to carry out about the conduit that the mechanization shown in Fig. 2 is handled, and identical principle can be applied to other elongated implement (but conduit of the manual control shown in Fig. 1) or from such as Johnson ﹠amp; Other elongated implement that the supplier of the Ethicon Endosurgery branch company of Johnson company or Intuitive Surgical company buys (no matter whether having high flexible).

With reference to Fig. 3 A-Fig. 3 C, but show the conduit 6 that mechanization is handled, this conduit has the optical fiber 12 that is provided with along an orientation of the wall of conduit 6.Under the crooked situation shown in Fig. 3 B and Fig. 3 C, this fiber does not have coaxially to be provided with the axis 11 of bending.In fact, be attached at least two differences along the length of conduit 6 bodies 33 (or longitudinally by these at least two differences constraints) and break away from respect to catheter body under the situation in the centre position that tension state is in catheter body 33 shown in Fig. 3 A at fiber 12, under the situation shown in Fig. 3 B, the vertical restrained part of fiber 12 will be in extended state, and under the situation shown in Fig. 3 C, the vertical restrained part of fiber 12 will be in compressive state.For Solid Mechanics, these relations are basic, but as described in the text, can be used for the detection of determining of auxiliary temperature and/or elongated implement by means of Prague fiber grating.With reference to Fig. 4 A-Fig. 5 D, show a plurality of different embodiment.With reference to Fig. 4 A, show mechanical type conduit 6, this conduit has the fiber 12 that passes chamber 31 and arrange, the near-end of described chamber 31 from the remote extension of the distal portions 8 of catheter body 33 to proximal catheter structure 32.In one embodiment, broadband reference reflector (not shown) be arranged at respect to the exercisable mode of fibre bragg grating the fiber near-end near, wherein, establish optical path length at each reflector/grating relation (comprising theme fiber cloth glug sensor arrangement); In addition, this structure also comprises the reflectometer (not shown), such as frequency domain reflectometer, carries out spectrum analysis with the reflecting part to detected light wave.

Attaching means 30 can be set to stop the axial or lengthwise movement of fiber 12 in the position of each attaching means 30.Replacedly, attaching means 30 can be only with respect to chamber 31 with the position constraint of fiber 12 in the position of attaching means 30.For example, in a variant of Fig. 4 A illustrated embodiment, the attaching means 30 of distal-most end can be configured to forbid fiber 12 in the position of this attaching means 30 with respect to catheter body 33 vertically or move axially, and more the attaching means 30 of near-end can be only as a guide, to lift fiber 12 in the position of this attaching means 30 away from the wall in chamber 31.In another variant of Fig. 4 A illustrated embodiment, more the attaching means 30 of near-end and more the attaching means 30 of far-end all can be configured to forbid fiber 12 the position of these attaching means vertically or move axially etc.As shown in Fig. 4 A illustrated embodiment, the chamber 31 that is in the zone of proximal catheter structure 32 is unfettered, freely carries out vertically or axially-movable with respect to proximal catheter structure 32 to allow fiber.Being configured in specific location stops the attaching means of the relative motion between attaching means and the fiber to comprise: little binding agent or polymer weld seam, the interference engagement that forms by little how much parts that comprise such as the material of polymer or metal, wherein braiding structure be configured to especially closely with the motion of prevention fiber the position, or the like.Be configured for guiding fiber 12 and allow fiber 12 with respect to this attaching means relatively vertically or the attaching means of axially-movable can comprise the fritter that limits aperture, ball, hemisphere or the like, these apertures pass the geometric center of these structures usually, so that theme fiber 12 therefrom passes through.

Except be provided with two additional constraint parts 30 guide and/or stop fiber 12 with respect to these attaching means these positions vertically or moving axially, the embodiment of the embodiment of Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 A is similar.In a variant, each attaching means all is overall relative motion attaching means, isolating the longitudinal strain in each unit in three " unit ", described three " unit " provide by utilizing attaching means 30 along catheter body 33 length of fiber 12 to be separated into three sections.In another variant of Fig. 4 B illustrated embodiment, near-end and far-end attaching means 30 can be overall relative motion attaching means, and attaching means 30 can be a guided constraint spare in the middle of two, guided constraint spare is configured to, the position allows the vertical or axial relative motion between fiber and these attaching means in these, but keeps the center-aligned of fiber near chamber 31 in these positions.

With reference to Fig. 4 C one embodiment has been described, except since the whole length of fiber of passing catheter body 33 by material (this material constitute catheter body 33) encapsulation and restrained, those embodiment among this embodiment and Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B are similar.In other words, although having chamber 31 really, the embodiment among Fig. 4 C freely carries out vertically or axially-movable with respect to proximal catheter structure 32 to allow fiber 12, but by fiber (when fiber longitudinally extends through catheter body 33 materials of this fiber of the encapsulation) occupation space, do not limit such chamber and move along this of catheter body 33 with permission except that inevitable.

Fig. 4 D shows a kind of structure, and this structure not only extends through proximal catheter structure 32 except chamber 31 but also passes the proximal part 7 of catheter body 33; The distal portions that passes the fiber 12 of catheter body 33 distal portions is configured beyond the material package and constraint of catheter body 33 substantially, and is similar with the structure among Fig. 4 C.

Fig. 5 A-Fig. 5 D shows except that fiber 12 is provided with along the crooked axis 11 of catheter body 33 substantially and those similar embodiment shown in Fig. 4 A-Fig. 4 D, and having three attaching means with embodiment among Fig. 4 B compares, in the embodiment of Fig. 5 B, have seven attaching means 30.

With reference to Fig. 6, show the cross section of a part of catheter body 33 of constructing shown in Fig. 4 C, so that be clearly shown that fiber 12 does not have coaxially to be provided with the crooked axis 11 of same cross section.Fig. 7 shows similar embodiment, wherein, be provided with in the wall of conduit multi-bundle 13 (such as can buy from LunaTechnologies company those), rather than single fiber as shown in Figure 6, fibre bundle 13 comprises the fiber or the fibre core 14 of many (being three in this embodiment) independent (for example, littler).When all structures as shown in Figure 7 were placed in curve form (shown in Fig. 3 B or 3C), (from crooked axis 11) the most radially outer that root fiber bore bigger compression stress or tightening force than more radially inner fiber in the individual fibers 14.Replacedly, in all embodiment as shown in Figure 8, wherein show the cross section of catheter body 33 parts of shown in Fig. 5 C, constructing, multi-bundle 13 coaxially is provided with about the crooked axis 11 of conduit 6, and restraints each root in three individual fibers 14 in 13 and all bear in various degree tightening force and/or compression stress according to the bending of subject catheter or manipulation form.For example, with reference to Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B (cross section), at the place, centre position, all three individual fibers 14 of bundle 13 can be in the no-load form shown in the formation.When being bent downwardly, as shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B (cross section), two fibers that constitute the below of bundle 13 can be configured to bear compression stress, and the fiber of the top bears tightening force.For the situation about being bent upwards shown in Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B (cross section), will opposite situation appear.

In fact, can adopt various structures, this is taken at concrete application, those shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H.For the sake of simplicity, under situation not, show each the cross section embodiment among Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H with reference to the chamber of adjacent fibre or attaching means, promptly, with reference to constructing each embodiment that describes among Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H with those the similar catheter bodies shown in for example Fig. 4 C and Fig. 5 C, wherein, fiber is configured the material package of catheter body 33 substantially; Other variants (those shown in Fig. 4 A-Fig. 5 D) that comprise the combination and the arrangement of attaching means and restraining structure also fall within the scope of the invention.Figure 12 A shows the embodiment with a fiber 12.Figure 12 B shows the variant with two fibers 12, and these two fibers are in the structure of the tightening force that can detect the three dimensions skew that is enough to calculate duct portion.Figure 12 C shows the variant of two fibers, and for the bending that detects axis of bending shown in Figure 12 C, this can be considered to redundant.Figure 12 D and Figure 12 E have described the structure of three fibers that are configured for the three dimensions skew that detects the subject catheter part.Figure 12 F shows the variant of four fibers with the three dimensions skew that is configured for accurate detection subject catheter part.Embodiment shown in Figure 12 G and Figure 12 H except comparing and be combined with a plurality of fibre bundles with having single fiber in each position, is similar to the embodiment of Figure 12 B and Figure 12 E respectively.Each embodiment (each all shows the cross section that comprises at least one fibre-optic elongated implement) shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H all can be with amount of deflection, torsion, compression stress or tightening force and/or the temperature of helping determine elongated implement.Can describe these relations in detail with reference to Figure 13, Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B.

In fact, the three-dimensional position of elongate articles can be determined along the suffered increment curvature in each longitudinal cross-section of this elongate articles by definite.In other words, in the space, vertically bend to any degree in downward a plurality of somes place if know elongate articles in length along this elongate articles, just can determine that distal portions reaches the more position of proximal part in three dimensions, this is owing to know continuous and their lengthwise positions relative to each other of each several part.For this reason, can adopt the variant (those shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H) of embodiment to determine conduit or the position of other elongated implement in three dimensions.In order to determine to utilize the analysis of optical fiber Bragg grating along the local curvature at each lengthwise position place of elongate articles.

With reference to Figure 13, show single optical fiber 12 with four groups of Bragg diffraction gratings, every group of Bragg diffraction grating all can be used as local deflection sensor.This fiber 12 can join with the part of elongated implement, for example, and as shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H.Can utilize single detector 15 to detect and analyze from signal more than a fiber.For multifilament structure (those shown in Figure 12 B-Figure 12 H), can utilize near-end manifold (manifold) structure that each fiber is connected with one or more detectors.The interfacing that is used for transmission signal between detector and fiber is known in the optical data transmission field.This detector is operably connected with controller, and this controller is configured to based on the spectrum analysis of detected reflected light signal being determined fibre-optic geometric construction and and then being determined at least a portion of relevant elongated implement (for example, conduit) body.Providing further details in the laid-open U.S. Patents application 2006/0013523.

In single fiber embodiment shown in Figure 13, each diffraction grating all has different spacing d1, d2, d3, d4, and therefore is used for the near-end light source of described single fiber and the variation that detector can detect wavelength at each " pick off " length L 10, L20, L30, L40.Therefore, under the situation of the lengthwise position of the measured length variation really of each given " pick off " length L 10, L20, L30, L40 place, " pick off " length L 10, L20, L30, L40 and known structure (those shown in the cross section among Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H), can determine relevant skew and/or the position of elongated implement in the space.A difficult problem for structure shown in Figure 13 is, must utilize the quite wide adjustable detector of quite wide emitter of frequency band and frequency band to come to catch length differentiation data in the proximal end from each sensor length, this may jeopardize the quantity etc. of the sensor length that can monitor.In any case a plurality of fibers 12 shown in Figure 13 and detector 15 structures can comprise those embodiment shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H, to help to determine the three-dimensional position of elongate medical device.

In another embodiment of the single sensing fiber shown in Figure 14 A, each sensor length L50, L60, L70, L80 can be configured to, each all has identical grating space, and (for example to the analysis of some complexity, described in " the Sensing Shape-Fiber-Bragg-grating sensor arraysmonitor shape at high resolution " of the 18-21 page or leaf of 2005 9 monthly magazines of SPIE ' s OE magazine) can adopt narrower frequency band source, to monitor the percentage elongation at each sensor length place, suppose that these sensor lengths are arranged on longitudinally the diverse location L1 away from near-end detector 15, L2, L3, the L4 place.In another (being correlated with) embodiment shown in Figure 14 B, the part of special fiber (such as distal portions) can have to form and helps the prolongation of the far-end of this fiber or the constant grating that high resolution detection is carried out in shortening.For the structure described in the above-mentioned science magazine article, this constant grating structure also is feasible.

With reference to Figure 15 A and Figure 15 B, with those the similar embodiment shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14 A-Figure 14 B in, can utilize fiber Bragg grating sensing package to come sensing temperature.With reference to Figure 15 A, shown in single fiber reaches outside the far-end of conduit 6, and unfettered or be subjected to still less constraint at least with respect to other surrounding structures, thus the length of this part of fiber shown in making is along with variation of temperature freely changes.By means of to the little thermal expansion of stretching out one or more Bragg diffraction gratings in pars fibrosa and this extension and the understanding of thermal contraction character, the variation of length can be used for inferring variation of temperature, and therefore can be used for temperature sensing.With reference to Figure 15 B, in the distal portions of catheter body 33, can form little cavity 21 or chamber, freely move in this cavity 21 with the distal portions 22 that helps fiber 12, thereby help not carry out temperature sensing from far-end having to stretch out shown in Figure 15 A under the situation of fiber.

Have only when these pars fibrosas are connected to the neighbouring part of conduit or elongated implement in fact in some way, the fiber among the embodiment described herein just can provide the accurate measurement that the focal length in the part of associated catheter or elongated implement is changed.In one embodiment, except one or more fiber also can be used for from the far-end sensing temperature, preferably make a fiber or plurality of fibers closely be connected with on every side apparatus body or retrained by it along the whole length of apparatus, and can have free part, as under reference Figure 15 A and the described two kinds of situations of Figure 15 B.For example, in one embodiment, each root in many skew sensing fibers all can terminate in the temperature sensing part, determine and the height local temperature sensing and the comparison at the different azimuth place of the far-end of elongated implement to help the position.In another embodiment, the proximal part that is in the more unbending duct portion of fiber freely floats in catheter body, and more far-end/more flexible pars fibrosa closely connects, and monitors highly accurately to help the far-end to conduit or elongated implement, the bending that has more flex section.

With reference to Figure 16 A, Figure 16 B and Figure 16 D, the mechanized guidewire that shows similar conduit is to instrument integration embodiment.Those accompanying drawings (and Figure 17 and Figure 18) in No. the 11/176th, 598, the U.S. Patent application series have been adopted and have revised.Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B show has three optical fibers 12 being used for detected catheter bending and remote location and the embodiment of detector 15.Figure 16 C shows the embodiment with four optical fibers 12 that are used for the detected catheter position.Figure 16 D shows the cohesive process (integration) of setting up these embodiment.As shown in Figure 16 D, in step " E+ ", to be used for fibre-optic axle (mandrel) and be woven into braid layer, after this (step " F "), the optical fiber that (after removing these axles) will have Bragg grating is arranged in the cross-sectional space that had before been taken by these axles.Preferably based on desired fiber 12 and on every side the degree of restraint between catheter body 33 materials select axle with respect to the geometry that is selected after removing these axles with the fiber that takies the shared position of previous axle.For example, if be contemplated to be highly constrained relation (comprising encapsulation substantially), axle will be very near the size of fiber.If the geometrical relationship of the looser constraint of expectation; the size of axle can be increased to the relative motion that allows between select location place's fiber 12 and the catheter body 33 or after removing axle, can insert tube-like piece (such as polyimides or PTFE sleeve pipe); so that " pipeline " in the space with the relative motion that is used for fiber to be provided, and/or only be fiber and around the protective layer between the material (constituting conduit or apparatus body 33) of this fiber.Similarly principle can be applied to such as among described those embodiment of reference Figure 17 A-Figure 17 G.

With reference to Figure 17 A-Figure 17 F, show the bonding state of two sheath apparatus, each sheath apparatus includes single optical fiber 12.Figure 17 G shows the cohesive process of setting up these embodiment.As shown in Figure 16 D, in step " B ", be provided for fibre-optic axle, after this (step " K "), the optical fiber that (after removing these axles) will have Bragg grating is arranged in the cross-sectional space that had before been taken by axle.

With reference to Figure 18, in another embodiment, the bundle 13 of fiber 14 can be set in the working chamber below of ready-made mechanization conduit (guiding as shown in Figure 18 or sheath apparatus class), and the bundle of fiber can be connected in conduit with selected geometrical constraint degree (aforesaid) in one or more positions, thereby provides three dimensions to detect.

Tensile load on the elongated implement and compressive load can detect along the bent intermediate axis by the skew of the conventionally form in the fiber that radially outward is provided with or by single fiber.Can by the auxiliary tightening force of conventionally form in the fiber that outwards is provided with in sensing those structures as shown in Figure 12 A-Figure 12 H (for example, except that by with the tightening force and/or compression stress of the coaxial single fiber institute sensing of bent intermediate axis) detect moment of torsion.

In another embodiment, compare with more traditional tinsel or other structures, be used for making elongated implement (such as steerable conduit) crooked, handle and/or the draw piece that is subjected to of compression can comprise the optical fiber that has Bragg grating, and the skew that can monitor them when these optical fibers are subjected to draw piece to be subjected to load is to impel the bending/manipulation of apparatus.This monitoring can be used for preventing to be subjected to the draw piece overstrain, and can also the aforesaid position that is used for detecting apparatus integral body.

Claims (16)

1. medical apparatus and instruments system comprises:

The elongated implement body;

Be connected to the optical fiber of described elongated implement body in restrained mode, described optical fiber comprises one or more Bragg gratings;

Detector may be operably coupled to described fibre-optic near-end and is configured for the corresponding light signal of detection by described one or more Bragg grating reflections; And

Controller may be operably coupled to described detector and is configured to based on the geometric construction of the spectrum analysis of the detected reflecting part of described optical signal being determined at least a portion of described elongated implement body.

2. medical apparatus and instruments according to claim 1 system, wherein, described elongated implement body is flexible.

3. medical apparatus and instruments according to claim 1 and 2 system, wherein, described elongated implement body is that mechanization is controlled.

4. medical apparatus and instruments according to claim 1 and 2 system, wherein, described elongated implement body is manually controlled.

5. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-4, also comprise reference reflector, described reference reflector is to be connected to described optical fiber with respect to the exercisable mode of described one or more Bragg gratings.

6. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-5, described detector comprises frequency domain reflectometer.

7. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-6, wherein, described optical fiber comprises a plurality of fibre cores, and each fibre core all comprises one or more Bragg gratings.

8. medical apparatus and instruments according to claim 7 system, each optical fiber core all comprises a plurality of Bragg gratings that separate.

9. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-6, described optical fiber comprises a plurality of Bragg gratings that separate.

10. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-9, wherein, described optical fiber is encapsulated in the wall of described elongated implement body substantially.

11. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-9, wherein, described elongated implement body limits inner chamber, wherein, described optical fiber is set in the described inner chamber.

12. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-9, described elongated implement body has wall, described wall limits and includes the chamber, and wherein, described optical fiber is set at described including in the chamber.

13. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system in claim 1-9 or 11, described elongated implement body has crooked axis, described optical fiber is connected to described elongated implement body, thereby described optical fiber is alignd with described crooked axis basically, and move with respect to described crooked axis when described elongated implement body makes described optical fiber through by bending the time.

14. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-12, described elongated implement body has crooked axis, described optical fiber is connected to described elongated implement body, thereby whether bending all makes described optical fiber align with described crooked axis basically to described elongated implement body.

15. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-12, described elongated implement body has crooked axis, described optical fiber is connected to described elongated implement body, thus described elongated implement body whether bending all make described optical fiber keep parallel with described crooked axis basically rather than align with it.

16. according to each described medical apparatus and instruments system among the claim 1-15, wherein, described elongated implement body is a catheter body.

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