Abstract: Where a flexible tool includes a tool body with a flexible portion, a distal end and a first optical fiber within the flexible portion, shape sensing can be achieved with increased accuracy by inserting or otherwise including a second optical fiber within the flexible portion. The increased accuracy can be achieved when the second optical fiber has a diameter larger than that of the first optical fiber. Once the shape of the flexible tool has been determined using at least the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber can be used for subsequent shape sensing. This may be particularly applicable where the tool includes an instrument such as an optical imaging device inserted in a channel of the tool, where not all of the width of the channel is occupied by functional components behind the operable end of the instrument.

Abstract: A tool may comprise an optical fiber including a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate portion between the proximal end and the distal end, and an adjustable bend between the proximal end and the intermediate portion. Motion of the intermediate portion may be constrained to translational motion substantially along an axis defined by the optical fiber at the intermediate portion. The tool may also comprise a cylindrical passage through which the intermediate portion of the optical fiber extends and a housing enclosing the adjustable bend and the cylindrical passage. The cylindrical passage may extend through a cylindrical member that includes an outer wall surrounding the cylindrical passage. The housing encloses the outer wall of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Example embodiments include an optical assembly for an optical interrogation system having a single core or a multicore sensing fiber, a measurement fiber to couple light into the sensing fiber, and a reference fiber arranged with the measurement fiber as part of an optical interferometer. A beam splitter combines light from the sensing fiber and with light from the reference fiber. A polarization beam splitting prism separates the combined light into first polarized light and second polarized light that is orthogonal to the first polarized light. The optical assembly can substantially reduce the size, complexity, or cost associated with the traditional optical components in an optical interrogation system that it replaces. Other example optical assemblies are described. Embodiments describe optical interrogation systems using the example optical assemblies.

Abstract: A flexible tool includes an optical fiber including a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate portion between the proximal end and the distal end and an adjustable bend between the proximal end and the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion may be constrained to have a single degree of freedom that is translational substantially along an axis defined by the optical fiber at the intermediate portion. The adjustable bend may be enclosed with a housing that provides space within the housing for the adjustable bend to adjust. The optical fiber may be used to provide shape sensing of the flexible tool.

Abstract: The ends of sensing and interrogating multicore fibers are brought into proximity for connection in a first orientation with one or more cores in the sensing fiber being paired up with corresponding one or more cores in the interrogating fiber. Optical interferometry is used to interrogate at least one core pair and to determine a first reflection value that represents a degree of alignment for the core pair in the first orientation. The relative position is adjusted between the ends of the fibers to a second orientation. Interferometry is used to interrogate the core pair and determine a second reflection value that represents a degree of alignment for the core pair in the second orientation. The first reflection value is compared with the second reflection value, and an aligned orientation is identified for connecting the sensing and interrogating fibers based on the comparison.

Abstract: Example embodiments include an optical assembly for an optical interrogation system having a single core or a multicore sensing fiber, a measurement fiber to couple light into the sensing fiber, and a reference fiber arranged with the measurement fiber as part of an optical interferometer. A beam splitter combines light from the sensing fiber and with light from the reference fiber. A polarization beam splitting prism separates the combined light into first polarized light and second polarized light that is orthogonal to the first polarized light. The optical assembly can substantially reduce the size, complexity, or cost associated with the traditional optical components in an optical interrogation system that it replaces. Other example optical assemblies are described. Embodiments describe optical interrogation systems using the example optical assemblies.

Abstract: Where a flexible tool includes a tool body with a flexible portion, a distal end and a first optical fiber within the flexible portion, shape sensing can be achieved with increased accuracy by inserting or otherwise including a second optical fiber within the flexible portion. The increased accuracy can be achieved when the second optical fiber has a diameter larger than that of the first optical fiber. Once the shape of the flexible tool has been determined using at least the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber can be used for subsequent shape sensing. This may be particularly applicable where the tool includes an instrument such as an optical imaging device inserted in a channel of the tool, where not all of the width of the channel is occupied by functional components behind the operable end of the instrument.

Abstract: A hinged tool includes a first member; a second member pivotally connected to the first member at a pivot; and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed to the first member at a load application region and fixed to at least one of the pivot and the second member at a location such that the optical fiber bends when the first member and the second member are pivoted with respect to one another. A method of using a hinged tool includes measuring fiber strain in an optical fiber fixed to the hinged tool, and determining at least one of tool strain applied to the hinged tool and a degree of pivoting of the hinged tool using the fiber strain.

Abstract: The ends of sensing and interrogating multicore fibers are brought into proximity for connection in a first orientation with one or more cores in the sensing fiber being paired up with corresponding one or more cores in the interrogating fiber. Optical interferometry is used to interrogate at least one core pair and to determine a first reflection value that represents a degree of alignment for the core pair in the first orientation. The relative position is adjusted between the ends of the fibers to a second orientation. Interferometry is used to interrogate the core pair and determine a second reflection value that represents a degree of alignment for the core pair in the second orientation. The first reflection value is compared with the second reflection value, and an aligned orientation is identified for connecting the sensing and interrogating fibers based on the comparison.

Abstract: A hinged tool includes a first member; a second member pivotally connected to the first member at a pivot; and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed to the first member at a load application region and fixed to at least one of the pivot and the second member at a location such that the optical fiber bends when the first member and the second member are pivoted with respect to one another. A method of using a hinged tool includes measuring fiber strain in an optical fiber fixed to the hinged tool, and determining at least one of tool strain applied to the hinged tool and a degree of pivoting of the hinged tool using the fiber strain.