Low-complexity optical force sensor for a medical device
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
InventorGleb V. Klimovitch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for detecting deformation of an elongate body may comprise a light source configured to sequentially provide light of multiple frequencies, an optical receiver configured to receive light from the light source, and a filter disposed between the light source and the optical detector. The filter may comprise multiple segments, each of the segments configured to filter light at one of the frequencies so as to alter the amount of light incident on said optical receiver. A total amount of light detected by the optical receiver may change during the sequence so as to be indicative of deformation of the elongate body.
Claims20
An elongated medical device suitable for intravascular insertion, said device comprising:
- a shaft having a distal portion with a distal tip and a proximal portion;
- and
- an optical force sensor disposed within the shaft proximate the distal tip, the optical force sensor comprising:
- a light source, an optical filter, and an optical receiver;
- wherein the light source is configured to project light along an optical path toward the optical filter and the optical receiver;
- wherein the optical filter defines a center point of the optical path coincident with an origin of an X-Y axis of a Cartesian coordinate system;
- and
- wherein the optical receiver is arranged at a distance from the light source along an axis perpendicular to an X-Y plane of the coordinate system;
- wherein the optical receiver is configured to generate an output signal responsive to light projected by the light source;
- and
- wherein the output signal is indicative of an external force applied to the medical device.
A medical optical force sensing assembly comprising:
- a light source;
- an optical filter;
- and
- an optical receiver;
- wherein the light source is configured to project light along an optical path toward the optical filter and the optical receiver;
- wherein the optical filter defines a center point of the optical path coincident with an origin of an X-Y axis of a Cartesian coordinate system;
- and
- wherein the optical receiver is arranged at a distance from the light source along an axis perpendicular to an X-Y plane of the coordinate system;
- wherein the optical receiver is configured to generate an output signal responsive to light projected by the light source;
- and
- wherein the output signal is indicative of an external force applied to the medical optical force sensing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.