Shape sensing fiber optic tip protection systems and devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12575893-B2
Application number	US-202217849447-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2022
Priority date	Jun 24, 2022
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

Disclosed herein are fiber-optic assemblies for insertion within a patient body, that include an optical fiber and a secondary mechanical layer extending around a circumference of the optical fiber along at least the distal portion of the optical fiber. A distal tip section of the optical fiber includes a portion of the optical fiber disposed within a circuitous path, or an expansion of the optical fiber. The optical fiber may be a shape sensing optical fiber. A medical device assembly includes the fiber-optic assembly coupled with a catheter, a stylet, a probe, or a guidewire. The secondary mechanical layer and/or the expansion may be formed of an electrically conductive material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A fiber-optic assembly for insertion within a patient body, comprising:
a shape sensing optical fiber defining a distal portion comprising a distal section of the optical fiber, the distal section including an optical fiber tip; and a secondary mechanical layer extending around a circumference of the optical fiber along at least the distal portion of the optical fiber, the secondary mechanical layer including a distal end disposed distal the optical fiber, wherein:
the distal section is disposed within the secondary mechanical layer,
the distal section includes a portion of the optical fiber disposed within a circuitous path defined with respect to the secondary mechanical layer, the circuitous path configured to inhibit damage of the optical fiber tip during use of the optical fiber, and
a portion of the distal section extends distally away from the optical fiber tip toward the distal end of the secondary mechanical layer.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical fiber includes a plurality of optical fiber cores; one or more of the plurality of the optical fiber cores includes a plurality of sensors distributed along at least the distal portion of the optical fiber; and the sensors are configured to project reflected light signals proximally along the optical fiber based on a shape of the optical fiber.

3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary mechanical layer is formed of a tube.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a substance filling an annular space between the optical fiber and the secondary mechanical layer, the substance defining a mechanical buffer between the optical fiber and the secondary mechanical layer.

5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the substance includes an elastomeric material.

6 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the substance includes a fluid.

7 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the secondary mechanical layer includes a closed distal end.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary mechanical layer is coupled with the optical fiber so as to inhibit longitudinal displacement of the optical fiber with respect to the secondary mechanical layer.

9 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the circuitous path includes a spiral, a coil, a serpentine shape, a loop, a J-shape, or any combination thereof.

10 . An elongate medical device assembly, comprising:
a shape sensing optical fiber assembly coupled with any one of a catheter, a stylet, a probe, or a guidewire, the optical fiber assembly comprising:
an optical fiber defining an optical fiber tip and a distal portion extending proximally away from the optical fiber tip; and
a secondary mechanical layer extending around a circumference of the optical fiber along at least the distal portion of the optical fiber, the secondary mechanical layer including a distal end disposed distal the optical fiber, wherein:
the distal section is disposed within the secondary mechanical layer,
the distal section includes a portion of the optical fiber disposed within a circuitous path defined with respect to the secondary mechanical layer, the circuitous path configured to inhibit damage of the optical fiber tip during use of the optical fiber, and
a portion of the distal section extends distally away from the optical fiber tip toward the distal end of the secondary mechanical layer.

11 . The elongate medical assembly of claim 10 , wherein:
the optical fiber includes a plurality of optical fiber cores; one or more of the plurality of the optical fiber cores includes a plurality of sensors distributed along at least a portion of the optical fiber; and the sensors are configured to project reflected light signals proximally along the optical fiber based on a shape of the at least a portion of the optical fiber.

12 . The elongate medical assembly of claim 11 , wherein at least a subset of the plurality of sensors are distributed along the distal portion, the distal portion including the optical fiber tip.

Assignees

• Bard Access Systems Inc

Inventors

• Misener Anthony K
• Sowards Steffan
• Mclaughlin William Robert

Classifications

• G02B6/02076

  Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings · CPC title

• G02B6/02057

  comprising gratings · CPC title

• A61B5/065

  Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe · CPC title

• A61B1/07 Primary

  using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres · CPC title

• A61B2034/2046

  Tracking techniques · CPC title