Multifiber optical bend sensor to aid colonoscope navigation
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Optical Engineering
Publication Date
12-1-2011
Abstract
A colonoscopys near-blind navigation process frequently causes disorientation for the scope operator, leading to harm for the patient. Navigation can be improved if real-time colonoscope shape, location, and orientation information is provided by a shape-tracking aid, such as a fiber optic bend sensor. Fiber optic bend sensors provide advantages over conventional electromechanical shape-trackers, including low cost and ease of integration. However, current fiber optic bend sensors lack either the ability to detect both bending direction and curvature, or the ability to detect multiple localized bends. An inexpensive multifiber bend sensor was developed to aid users in navigation during colonoscopy. The bend sensor employs active-cladding optical fibers modified with fluorescent quantum dots, bandpass filters, and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor imager as key components. Results from three-fiber sensors demonstrate the bend sensors ability to measure curvature (error of 0.01 mm), direction (100 accuracy), and location (predetermined distance) of a bend in the fiber bundle. Comparison with spectroscopy data further confirmed the accuracy of the bending direction measurement for a three-fiber sensor. Future work includes improvements in fiber manufacturing to increase sensor sensitivity and consistency. An expanded 31 fiber bundle would be needed to track the full length of a colonoscope. © 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Volume
50
Issue
12
DOI
10.1117/1.3656750
Recommended Citation
Kesner, J., Gavalis, R., Wong, P., & Cao, C. (2011). Multifiber optical bend sensor to aid colonoscope navigation. Optical Engineering, 50 (12) https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3656750
ISSN
00913286
E-ISSN
15602303