Shape Sensing Fiber Optic Tip Protection Systems and Devices

Abstract

A fiber-optic assembly for insertion in a patient, includes a shape sensing optical fiber and a mechanical layer surrounding a distal section of the optical fiber. The distal section includes an optical fiber tip and an expansion configured to inhibit damage of the optical fiber tip. The expansion includes a proximal end proximal of the optical fiber tip, a distal end distal of the optical fiber tip, and a diameter greater than a diameter of the shape sensing optical fiber. The optical fiber can include a plurality of optical fiber cores. One or more of the plurality of optical fiber cores can include a plurality of sensors distributed along at least the distal portion of the optical fiber configured to project reflected light signals proximally along the optical fiber to indicate a shape of the optical fiber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.