Abstract: One or more launch fixture (650)s for optical shape sensing (OSS), the one launch fixture (650) or each launch fixture (650) being configured to receive and secure an optical fiber within a flexible OSS enabled instrument. A docking device (670) is provided for securing the launch fixture (650)(s) onto a launch fixture base (660). The docking device (670) may include one or more launch fixture (650) slots on one side of the docking device (670), or one or more launch fixture (650) slots on each of two opposing sides of the docking device (670).

Abstract: One or more launch fixture (650)s for optical shape sensing (OSS), the one launch fixture (650) or each launch fixture (650) being configured to receive and secure an optical fiber within a flexible OSS enabled instrument. A docking device (670) is provided for securing the launch fixture (650)(s) onto a launch fixture base (660). The docking device (670) may include one or more launch fixture (650) slots on one side of the docking device (670), or one or more launch fixture (650) slots on each of two opposing sides of the docking device (670).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing system (1) for determining the position and/or shape of an associated object (O), the system comprises an optical fibers (10) having one or more optical fiber cores (9) with one or more fiber Bragg gratings (FBG, 8) extending along the full length where the position and/or shape is be to determined of said object (O). A reflectometer (REFL, 12) measures strain at a number of sampling points along the optical fiber cores, and a processor (PROC, 14) determines the position and/or shape based on said measured strains from the plurality of optical fiber cores. The fiber Bragg grating(s) (FBG, 8) extends along the full length of said optical fiber cores (9), the fiber core having a spatially modulated reflection (r) along the said full length of the optical fiber core so that the corresponding reflection spectrum is detectable in said wavelength scan.

Abstract: A launch fixture for optical shape sensing (OSS) includes a first fixation device (172) configured to receive and secure an optical fiber. A fiber storage area (174) is configured to receive and maintain the optical fiber within specified dimensions. A second fixation device (180) is configured to receive and secure a flexible OSS enabled instrument. A launch region (176) is configured to receive and maintain the optical fiber in a known geometric configuration before entering the second fixation device. A feature (184) is provided for aligning and coupling to a launch fixture base, which is configured to secure the launch fixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing system (1) for determining the position and/or shape of an associated object (O), the system comprises an optical fibers (10) having one or more optical fiber cores (9) with one or more fiber Bragg gratings (FBG, 8) extending along the full length where the position and/or shape is be to determined of said object (O). A reflectometer (REFL, 12) measures strain at a number of sampling points along the optical fiber cores, and a processor (PROC, 14) determines the position and/or shape based on said measured strains from the plurality of optical fiber cores. The fiber Bragg grating(s) (FBG, 8) extends along the full length of said optical fiber cores (9), the fiber core having a spatially modulated reflection (r) along the said full length of the optical fiber core so that the corresponding reflection spectrum is detectable in said wavelength scan.