Abstract: A system for monitoring changes during therapy includes a first probing segment (112) having an optical fiber sensor disposed therein. The first segment is percutaneously inserted in or near a target area and providing a local reference for one or more treatment devices. A second probing segment (114) has an optical fiber sensor disposed therein. The second segment is generally disposed apart from the first probe and provides a spatial reference point for the first segment. The first and second segments have at least one common position to function as a reference between the first and second probes. A shape determination method (107) is configured to determine a shape of each of the first and second segments based on feedback signals to measure changes in the shapes during a procedure and update a therapy plan in accordance with the changes.

Abstract: A system, device and method for measuring dynamic movement of a subject include a mesh configured to flexibly and snuggly fit over at least a portion of the subject. The mesh includes one or more shape sensing optical fibers disposed therein, and a second feedback modality of measurement that includes sensors or detectors incorporated therein such that the one or more shape sensing optical fibers monitors movement of the sensors or detectors on a subject. A reconstruction module is coupled to the shape sensing fibers to receive feedback signals and interpret dynamic changes in a shape and position of the sensors or detectors based on the feedback signals. The reconstruction module accounts for the dynamic changes to improve a medical activity on the subject.

Abstract: A reflection reduction device includes an optical fiber (104) configured for optical sensing and having an end portion. A tip portion (102) is coupled to the end portion. The tip portion includes a length dimension (d) and is index matched to the optical fiber. The tip portion is further configured to include an absorption length to absorb and scatter light within the length dimension, and a surface (S) opposite the end portion is configured to reduce back reflections.

Abstract: An image-guided prosthetic valve deployment system employs a prosthetic valve (80), a catheter (70) and a delivery tracking system (90). The catheter (70) has an elongated body with a proximal tip (71a) and a distal tip (71b), and the elongated body includes a delivery section (72) adjacent the distal tip (71b) for deploying the prosthetic valve (80) relative to a heart valve (21) within an anatomical region (20). The delivery section (72) includes a delivery segment (73) for sensing a shape and an orientation of the delivery section (72) within the anatomical region (20) relative to a reference point (74). The delivery tracking system (90) tracks a position and an orientation of the prosthetic valve (80) relative to the heart valve (21) as a function of a sensed shape and a sensed orientation of the delivery section (72) within the anatomical region (20) relative to the reference point (74) by the delivery segment (73).

Abstract: A telescopic endoscope employing a primary endoscope (30, 50) having a instrument channel, a miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) deployed within the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50), and an endoscope tracker including one or more sensors (32, 61) and one or markers (41, 52) for sensing any portion of the miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) extending from a distal end of the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50).

Abstract: A shape sensing device, system and method include an interventional instrument (102) having regions of articulation to be configured to change shape during an interventional procedure. An optical fiber (202) is disposed on or about the areas of articulation in a pattern to provide an optical signal indicating an instantaneous change or current position or orientation of the instrument. A signal interpretation module (115) is configured to receive the optical signals and interpret the instantaneous change or cur rent position or orientation of the instrument.

Abstract: An integrated optical shape sensing system and method include an arrangement structure (132) configured to receive a fiber port or connector. A platform (130) is configured to provide a distance relationship with the arrangement structure such that the fiber port or connector is trackable to provide a location reference. The platform secures a patient in proximity to the arrangement structure. An optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102) has a first optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector. An optical interrogation module (108) is configured to collect optical feedback from the instrument and has a second optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector such that a known reference position is provided for accurate shape reconstruction.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing system employing an elongated device (20), an optical fiber (10) embedded within the elongated device (20) with the optical fiber (10) including one or more cores, an optical interrogation console (30) and a 3D shape reconstructor (40). In operation, the optical interrogation console (30) generates reflection spectrum data indicative of a measurement of both an amplitude and a phase of a reflection for each core of the optical fiber (10) as a function of wavelength and the 3D shape reconstructor (40) reconstructs a 3D shape of the optical fiber (10). The 3D shape reconstructor (40) executes a generation of local strain data for a plurality of positions along the optical fiber (10) responsive to the reflection spectrum data, a generation of local curvature and torsion angle data as a function of each local strain along the fiber, and a reconstruction of the 3D shape of the optical fiber (10) as a function of each local curvature and torsion angle along the optical fiber (10).

Abstract: A medical device calibration apparatus, system and method include a calibration template (202) configured to position an optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102). A set geometric configuration (206) is formed in or on the template to maintain the instrument in a set geometric configuration within an environment where the instrument is to be deployed. When the instrument is placed in the set geometric configuration, the instrument is calibrated for a medical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: An optical motion sensing system (10) for use in imaging an anatomical structure employs an optical motion sensor (20) including a body contour conforming matrix (“BCCM”) (30) and an optical fiber (40). Upon BCCM (30) being adjoined to the anatomical structure, BCCM (30) structurally conforms at least partially to a surface contour of the anatomical structure for reciprocating any motion by the anatomical structure. Optical fiber (40) is at least partially embedded in the BCCM (30) for generating an encoded optical signal (42) indicative of a shape of the optical fiber (40) responsive to any SOS reciprocal motion by the BCCM (30) during an imaging of the anatomical structure. System (10) further employs a motion tracker (50) responsive to encoded optical signal (42) for periodically reconstructing the shape of optical fiber (40) with each change in the shape of optical fiber (40) representing motion by the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping interluminal structures includes an elongated flexible instrument (102). An optical shape sensing device (152, 154) is disposed within the flexible instrument and is configured to determine a shape of the flexible instrument relative to a reference. The shape sensing device is configured to collect information based on its configuration to map an interluminal structure during a procedure. An imaging enabled ablation device (117) is mounted at or near a distal end portion of the flexible instrument.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system includes an optical source has an emission wavelength in the range of 1.6 ?m to 2.0 ?m, in particular having an infrared emission predominantly at a wavelength of 1.8 ?m associated with a transition between an upper energy level and a lower energy level and the optical source comprises an excitation system which generates stimulated emission from a pump level to the upper energy level. The optical source may include a Tm-doped fiber in an optical cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for reducing feedback noise in an optical recording/reproducing system (10) comprising a laser (18) driven by an AC and a DC current thereby generating a pulsating light (22) emitted from said laser (18) to an external cavity defining an optical length (L) from said laser (18) to an optical storage medium (12), such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-Ray Disc, MiniDisc (MD), or magnetooptic disc (MOD). The optical length (L) is adjusted in accordance with the relaxation oscillation frequency.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus equipped with an improved alignment system, is presented herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiation system for providing a projection beam of radiation, a support structure for supporting a patterning device that configures the projection beam according to a desired pattern, a substrate holder for holding a substrate, projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and an alignment system. The alignment system includes a radiation source for illuminating at least one mark which is usable for alignment on a substrate and an imaging system for imaging light which has interacted with the at least one mark to generate alignment information.

Abstract: Radiation-emitting semiconductor device and method of manufacturing such a device. The invention relates to a radiation-emitting semiconductor device (10) comprising a silicon-containing semiconductor body (1) and a substrate (2), which semiconductor body (1) comprises a lateral semiconductor diode positioned on an insulating layer (7) which separates the diode from the substrate (2).

Abstract: An optical diffraction element (1) comprises a diffraction layer (4) which is divided into diffraction strips (6) alternating with intermediate strips (8). The diffraction strips comprise nano-elements (10) which are aligned in one direction and absorb radiation (b) which is linearly polarized in this direction. The diffraction element may be a linear or two-dimensional grating (1) or a Fresnel lens (160). The polarization-sensitive grating can be used in optical systems in which only radiation with a specific polarization direction should be diffracted, or in an optical record carrier to allow reading of an information structure with high spatial frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of localizing a deviant region in a turbid medium. The invention also relates to devices for carrying out such methods. Said methods can possibly be used in optical mammography where a breast of a female body is examined by means of light. Said methods produce images in which any deviations, for example tumors, can be clearly recognized. This is achieved inter alia by providing markers (10) in an image (9) of the turbid medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of localizing a deviant region in a turbid medium. The invention also relates to devices for carrying out such methods. Said methods can possibly be used in optical mammography where a breast of a female body is examined by means of light. Said methods produce images in which any deviations, for example tumors, can be clearly recognized. This is achieved inter alia by providing markers (10) in an image (9) of the turbid medium.