The Shape Sensing Company Inc.

Pierrick Vulliez

Justin Braun

Alex Tongue

MFB twist distribution data is calculated along a multi-fiber shape sensor bundle (MFB) using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) phase interrogation data. Phase data is extracted from OFDR interferometric interrogation data acquired from an MFB having single core radially offset fibers with fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) helically wrapped about and rigidly adhered to a central single core fiber with BRFs. A change in phase between current and previously acquired phase signals is calculated for the fibers. The change in phase is unwrapped and FBG gap-induced unwrapping discontinuities are accounted for in the change in phase. The FBG gap-mitigated phase differences are determined for each of the offset fibers and then averaged. The center fiber gap-mitigated phase difference is subtracted from the average to yield a twist-phase difference. Bending-induced changes are removed to create bend-compensated twist-phase difference distribution which is used to calculate the MFB twist distribution data along the MFB.

Calculating distributed twist of a multi-fiber 3D shape sensor bundle (MFB) using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) phase interrogation data

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Santa Barbara, TX, United States of America

Pierrick Vulliez