Title: Fiber optic position and/or shape sensing based on rayleigh scatter

Abstract

A fiber optic position and/or shape sensing device includes an optical fiber with either two or more single core optical fibers or a multi-core optical fiber having two or more fiber cores. In either case, the fiber cores are spaced apart so that mode coupling between the fiber cores is reduced, and preferably, minimized. The optical fiber is physically associated with an object. Strain on at least a portion of the optical fiber where it is associated with the object is determined by an OFDR using one or more Rayleigh scatter patterns for that portion of the optical fiber. The determined strain is used to determine a position and/or a shape of the object.

Inventors:

Froggatt, Mark E.; Duncan, Roger G.

Issue Date:

2010-08-10

Research Org.:

Luna Innovations, Roanoke, VA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531643

Patent Number(s):

7772541

Application Number:

12/047,056

Assignee:

Luna Innnovations Incorporated (Roanoke, VA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61B - DIAGNOSIS

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE

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A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61B - DIAGNOSIS

A61B1/00165 - {with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics
A61B2034/2061 - {using shape-sensors, e.g. fiber shape sensors with Bragg gratings}
A61B2034/301 - {for introducing or steering flexible instruments inserted into the body, e.g. catheters or endoscopes}
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}
A61B5/6852 - {Catheters}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE

G01D5/35316 - {using a Bragg gratings}
G01D5/3539 - {using time division multiplexing}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M11/083 - {by using an optical fiber in contact with the device under test [DUT]}

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G02B6/02042 - {Multicore optical fibres}
G02B6/022 - {using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper

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DOE Contract Number:  

SF 6432-FP

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2008-03-12

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English