# US 10,864,056 B2 · Low-complexity optical force sensor for a medical device

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- Number: US 10,864,056 B2
- Document ID: US10864056B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/985,125
- Filed: 2018-05-21
- Published: 2018-11-22
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-29
- Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
- Applicants: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
- Inventors: Gleb V. Klimovitch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864056B2

## CPC

- A61B 90/06: {Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for}
- G01B 11/16: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
- G01L 1/24: by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis {using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet}
- G01L 5/0028: {Force sensors associated with force applying means (G01L5/0052, G01L5/0057, G01L5/0061 take precedence)}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61M 2025/0002: {with a pressure sensor at the distal end}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the distance is about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the optical receiver comprises a light detector configured to generate the output signal according to an amount or intensity of light impinging on the optical receiver.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the optical filter and the optical receiver are substantially the same size and shape and are oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical path.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the light source is a LED.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The medical device of claim 5, wherein the LED is a multi-color LED.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the light source is optically coupled with at least one optical fiber.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the light source is movable with respect to the optical receiver.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is configured to be coupled to an electronic control unit (ECU) for processing the output signal generated by the optical receiver responsive to light projected by the light source to determine the external force applied to the medical device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is formed as a catheter for exploration or treatment of a vessel, organ or other body cavity.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device it is formed as a guide wire for guiding a catheter or medical apparatus through a vessel, organ or other body cavity.

### Claim 12

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.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the distance is about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the optical receiver comprises a light detector configured to generate the output signal according to an amount or intensity of light impinging on the optical receiver.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the optical filter and the optical receiver are substantially the same size and shape and are oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical path.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the light source is a LED.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 16, wherein the LED is a multi-color LED.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the light source is optically coupled with at least one optical fiber.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the light source is movable with respect to the optical receiver.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The medical optical force sensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the medical optical force sensing assembly is configured to be coupled to an electronic control unit (ECU) for processing the output signal generated by the optical receiver responsive to light projected by the light source to determine the external force applied to the medical optical force sensing assembly.