Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, a localization sensor and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber. The localization sensor is operatively coupled to the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and to the localization sensor and is adapted to receive a first signal from the strain sensor, receive a second signal from the localization sensor, and determine a position or orientation of the elongate body based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The first optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a first strain sensor provided on the first optical fiber. The second optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a second strain sensor provided on the second optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber and is adapted to receive a first signal from the first strain sensor and a second signal from the second strain sensor and to compare the first signal with the second signal.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is coupled to an external structure of a patient and has a strain sensor provided thereon. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a property of respiration of the patient based on the signal.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a plurality of strain sensors provided on the optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to obtain signals from one of the plurality of strain sensors more frequently than from another of the plurality of strain sensors and to determine a position of the elongate body based on the obtained signals from the one of the plurality of strain sensors.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body in a geometric configuration, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber, wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber is in the geometric configuration. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive, from a source other than the optical fiber, information indicative of the geometric configuration, receive a signal from the strain sensor, and associate the signal with the geometric configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize shape sensing fibers are described herein. In certain variations, a fiber may include a service loop or other length that allows for sliding or displacing of a fiber within the lumen of an elongate instrument when the distal portion of the elongate instrument is articulated. Systems and methods for registering a shape sensing fiber, including registration fixtures and registration techniques are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and/or registering a shape sensing fiber in or to various instruments are described herein. Registration fixtures and registration techniques for matching the coordinate system of a fiber to the coordinate system of an elongate instrument or other device are provided. Various systems and methods for integrating a shape sensing fiber into an elongate instrument or other device are also described herein.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is at least partially separate from the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the elongate body and to the optical fiber and the controller is adapted to receive a signal from the optical fiber, detect movement of the optical fiber based on the signal; and update a position of the elongate body relative to the optical fiber based on the detected movement.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, and a detector is provided. The elongate body is capable of being twisted. The optical fiber includes a first portion coupled to the elongate body and a second portion having a curved shape adapted to reduce transfer of twisting or bending from the elongate body to the second portion, the second portion having a strain sensor provided thereon. The detector is coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor.

Abstract: A method for tracking an elongate body is provided. The method includes determining a spatial relationship between an elongate body and an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is located in a structure having a substantially constant shape; receiving a signal from a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber; and determining, based on the signal, whether a position of the optical fiber relative to the structure has changed.

Abstract: A method for measuring bending is provided. The method includes receiving a reflected signal from a strain sensor provided on an optical fiber; determining a spectral profile of the reflected signal; and determining bending of the optical fiber based on a comparison of the spectral profile of the reflected signal with a predetermined spectral profile.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body and an optical fiber is provided. The elongate body has a longitudinal axis and capable of being twisted about the longitudinal axis. The optical fiber is operatively coupled with the elongate body and having a strain sensor provided thereon. The strain sensor is configured to indicate twist of the elongate body.

Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed whereby elongate medical instruments may be registered to adjacent tissue structures and other structures, and may be navigated and operated in a coordinated fashion to maximize ranges of motion, ease of use, and other factors. A method for registering an instrument relative to nearby structures may comprise moving a portion of the instrument between two in situ positions, tracking movement during this movement with both a kinematic model and also a localization sensor based configuration, determining the orientation of the tracked portion relative to both the instrument coordinate system used in the kinematic modeling and also a localization coordinate reference frame, and adjusting the orientation of the instrument coordinate reference frame to minimize the difference between determined orientations using the kinematic model and localization sensors. Methods and configurations for navigating coupled and registered instrument sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining calibration of a distributed localization system are presented. After a baseline calibration of sensors distributed on a working instrument and reference instrument, if movement of the reference instrument is detected, shape sensing data from a Bragg shape sensing fiber also coupled to the reference instrument may be utilized to recalibrate the localization system. The reference instrument preferably is located intraoperatively in a relatively constrained anatomical environment, such as in the coronary sinus of the heart, to prevent significant movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing and driving flexible members in a patient's body are described herein. In one embodiment, a robotic method includes positioning a flexible elongated member that has a preformed configuration, wherein at least a part of the flexible elongated member has a first member disposed around it, and wherein the first member includes a first wire for bending the first member or for maintaining the first member in a bent configuration, releasing at least some tension in the first wire to relax the first member, and advancing the first member distally relative to the flexible elongated member while the first member is in a relaxed configuration.

Abstract: Telerobotic systems with integrated high frequency feedback to enhance users' telerobotic experience are provided. The controller of the telerobotic system is characterized by combining high frequency information with low frequency position or velocity information. The controller is useful for teleoperations with delay and no-delay between the communication channels of the master and slave device.

Abstract: System and methods for interfacing user in the control of elongated flexible members for use inside a patient's body is described herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor configured for generating a virtual representation of a catheter on a viewing screen, a first control for allowing a user to rotate the virtual representation of the catheter about a first axis, until a heading direction of the virtual representation of the catheter aligns with a heading direction of the catheter as it appears in a first fluoroscopic image, and a second control for allowing the user to rotate the virtual representation of the catheter about a second axis, until a tilt angle of the virtual representation of the catheter aligns with a tilt angle of the catheter as it appears in the first fluoroscopic image or in a second fluoroscopic image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotically controlling flexible medical apparatus are described herein. In one embodiment, a robotic surgical system includes a flexible elongated member, a first member movably disposed around at least a portion of the flexible elongated member, a second member movably disposed around at least a portion of the first member, a drive assembly coupled to each of the flexible elongated member, the first member, and the second member, and a control interface for receiving an input command from a user, wherein the drive assembly is configured to automatically move one or both of the first member and the second member while maintaining the flexible elongated member at a fixed axial position in response to the received input command.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include of controlling a shapeable instrument within an anatomical region using a robotic medical system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include preparing a robotic medical system for use with a shapeable instrument and controlling advancement of a shapeable medical device within an anatomic path. Also described herein are methods for altering a data model of an anatomical region.