Shape accuracy of fiber optic sensing for medical devices characterized in bench experiments.

Purpose: Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) is a new technology that visualizes the full three-dimensional shape of medical devices, such as catheters and guidewires, using an optical fiber embedded in the device. This three-dimensional shape provides guidance to clinicians during minimally invasive procedures, and enables intuitive navigation. The objective of this paper is to assess the accuracy of the FORS technology, as implemented in the current state-of-the-art Philips FORS system.

High-resolution resonant and nonresonant fiber-scanning confocal microscope.

We present a novel, hand-held microscope probe for acquiring confocal images of biological tissue. This probe generates images by scanning a fiber-lens combination with a miniature electromagnetic actuator, which allows it to be operated in resonant and nonresonant scanning modes. In the resonant scanning mode, a circular field of view with a diameter of 190 μm and an angular frequency of 127 Hz can be achieved.