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.

Sparse Ultrasound Image Reconstruction From a Shape-Sensing Single-Element Forward-Looking Catheter.

Objective: Minimally invasive procedures, such as intravascular and intracardiac interventions, may benefit from guidance with forward-looking (FL) ultrasound. In this work, we investigate FL ultrasound imaging using a single-element transducer integrated in a steerable catheter, together with an optical shape sensing (OSS) system.

Methods: We tested the feasibility of the proposed device by imaging the surface of a tissue-mimicking (TM) phantom and an ex vivo human carotid plaque.