Comparing Path-Based Shape Accuracy:
TSSC’s Generation 1 vs Generation 2 Fiber Optic Systems
Improved Shape Accuracy in 2nd Generation System
This study evaluates the shape sensing accuracy improvements between The Shape Sensing Company’s Generation 1 and prototype Generation 2 fiber optic shape sensing systems. Using a planar test setup with curvatures ranging from 0 to 20 m-1 (bending radii of straight to 5 cm), shape accuracy was assessed through 30 repeated tests for each system. The Generation 2 system demonstrated significant improvements, reducing mean absolute error from 1.9 mm to 0.60 mm and maximum error from 12.25 mm to 2.49 mm. The error distribution showed consistently lower errors in the prototype Generation system, with most measurements falling within 0-2 mm of the target path compared to Generation 1’s broader range of 0-4 mm. These improvements were achieved through improved hardware and processing algorithms, representing meaningful progress towards meeting the demanding requirements of clinical applications.
In minimally invasive procedures, accurate real-time navigation is essential for optimal patient outcomes. Traditional navigation techniques such as fluoroscopy or electromagnetic tracking face limitations including two-dimensional and grayscale visualization, electromagnetic interference, and/or radiation exposure. Fiber optic shape sensing (FOSS) systems, based on optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), address these limitations by enabling real-time 3D shape reconstruction along the length of an optical fiber. These systems utilize distributed strain measurements from fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) to determine local curvature and twist, which are then used to reconstruct the full shape.
The reconstruction of 3D shape from FOSS measurements relies on accurate curvature and twist measurements along the fiber length. While The Shape Sensing Company’s (TSSC) Generation 1 FOSS system represented a significant milestone toward clinical requirements, it exhibited limitations in achieving the high twist sensitivity required for smaller diameter sensors and demanding clinical environments. These limitations, though acceptable for many use cases, underscored the need for further innovation.
TSSC’s prototype Generation 2 system is based on a new platform that is designed to address these challenges with improved hardware and processing
algorithms that enhance twist sensitivity, enabling precise shape sensing even in smaller diameter sensors and tortuous shapes. This breakthrough not only improves overall shape accuracy but also broadens the range of potential applications for the technology. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the Generation 1 and Generation 2 systems, specifically examining their performance in shape accuracy tests.
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Improved Shape Accuracy in 2nd Generation System – White Paper