FIBER-OPTIC REALSHAPE SENSING FEEDING TUBE

Abstract

A FORS feeding tube system employing a feeding tube (30) for channeling a fluid flow from a proximal end and a distal end of the feeding tube (30), and further employing a FORS sensor (40) for generating sensing data informative of a shape reconstruction of a segment or an entirety of FORS sensor (40). The feeding tube (30) and the FORS sensor (40) are integrated to configure a FORS feeding tube (20), and the sensing data is further informative of a shape of a segment or an entirety of FORS feeding tube (20) derived from the integration of feeding tube (30) and FORS sensor (40). The FORS feed tube system may further employ a navigation controller to control a tracking of a positioning of a segment or an entirety of the FORS feeding tube (20) within an anatomical tract (e.g., a gastrointenstinal tract).

Claims

1. A FORS feeding tube system, comprising: a feeding tube including a feeding lumen for channeling a fluid flow from a proximal end of the feeding tube to a distal end of the feeding tube; a FORS sensor for generating sensing data informative of a shape reconstruction of at least a segment of the FORS sensor; wherein the feeding tube and the FORS sensor are integrable to configure a FORS feeding tube extending between the proximal end of the feeding tube and a distal end of the FORS sensor; and wherein the sensing data is further informative of a shape of at least a segment of the FORS feeding tube derived from an integration of the FORS sensor and the feeding tube.

2. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning guide integrated with the FORS sensor; wherein the FORS sensor and the positioning guide are at least partially insertable into the feeding lumen; and wherein at least one of: the feeding tube further including a proximal FORS sensor lock operable to fix an insertion of the FORS sensor and the positioning guide within the feeding lumen; and the positioning guide (50) including a distal FORS sensor (40) lock operable to fix an insertion of the FORS sensor (40) and the positioning guide (50) within the feeding lumen.

3. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 1, wherein the feeding tube further includes a navigation lumen; and wherein the FORS sensor is positionable within the navigation lumen.

4. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 1, further comprising: a protective sleeve integrated with an exterior of the feeding tube, wherein the FORS sensor is at least partially insertable into the protective sleeve.

5. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 1, further comprising: a protective sleeve, wherein the feeding tube and the FORS sensor are at least partially insertable into the protective sleeve.

6. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 1, further comprising: a navigation controller operable, responsive to a generation of the sensing data by the FORS sensor, to control a tracking of the shape of the at least segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within an anatomical tract, wherein a tracking by the navigation controller of the shape of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: the navigation controller operable to control a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; and the navigation controller operable to control a determination of at least one metric associated with the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract.

7. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 6, wherein the control by the navigation controller of the display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: a display of the of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube in space; a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as an overlay on a patient image registered with the FORS feeding tube; and a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as an overlay on a patient model registered with the FORS feeding tube.

8. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 6, wherein the control by the navigation controller of the determination of the at least one metric associated with the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: a determination of an insertion length of the at least the segment the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; a prediction of a correct placement of nasogastric the at least the segment the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; and a measurement of physiologically-relevant parameters associated with FORS sensor.

9. A FORS feeding tube system, comprising: a feeding tube including a feeding lumen for channeling a fluid flow from a proximal end of the feeding tube to a distal end of the feeding tube; a FORS sensor for generating sensing data informative of a shape reconstruction of the at least a segment of FORS sensor; wherein the feeding tube and the FORS sensor are integrated to configure a FORS feeding tube extending between the proximal end of the feeding tube and the distal end of the FORS sensor; and wherein the sensing data is further informative of a shape of at least a segment of the FORS feeding tube derived from the integration of the feeding tube and the FORS sensor.

10. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 9, further comprising: a positioning guide integrated with the FORS sensor; wherein the FORS sensor and the are at least partially inserted into the feeding lumen; and wherein at least one of the feeding tube further includes a proximal FORS sensor lock fixing the insertion of the FORS sensor and the positioning guide within the feeding lumen, and the positioning guide includes a distal FORS sensor lock fixing the insertion of the FORS sensor and the positioning guide within the feeding lumen.

11. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 9, wherein the feeding tube further includes a navigation lumen; and wherein the FORS sensor is positioned within the navigation lumen.

12. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 9, further comprising: a protective sleeve integrated within an exterior of the feeding tube, wherein the FORS sensor is at least partially insertable within the protective sleeve.

13. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 9, further comprising: a navigation controller operable, responsive to a generation of the sensing data by the FORS sensor, to control a tracking of the shape of the at least segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within an anatomical tract, wherein a tracking by the navigation controller of the shape of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: the navigation controller operable to control a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; and the navigation controller operable to control a determination of at least one metric associated with the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract.

14. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 13, wherein the control by the navigation controller of the display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: a display of the of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube in space; a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as an overlay on a patient image registered with the FORS feeding tube; and a display of the shape of the at least the segment of the FORS feeding tube as an overlay on a patient model registered with the FORS feeding tube.

15. The FORS feeding tube system of claim 13, wherein the control by the navigation controller of the determination of the at least one metric associated with the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract includes at least one of: a determination of an insertion length of the at least the segment the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; a prediction of a correct placement of nasogastric the at least the segment the FORS feeding tube as positioned within the anatomical tract; and a measurement of physiologically-relevant parameters associated with FORS sensor.

16. (canceled)

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20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary FORS feeding tube placements in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a general embodiment of a FORS feeding tube in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a integration of a FORS sensor and a feeding tube in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIGS. 4A-5F illustrate exemplary embodiments of a FORS sensor feeding tube in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a FORS feeding tube system in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart representative of an exemplary embodiment of a FORS feeding tube method in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary displays of a FORS feeding tube in accordance with the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] As an improvement upon prior feeding tube placement methods, the inventions of the present disclosure propose a Fiber-Optic RealShape (FORS) sensing solution for facilitating an accurate placement of a feeding tube positioned within an anatomical tract. The FORS sensing solution provides a integration of a FORS sensor and a feeding tube to configure a FORS feeding tube for facilitating a tracking of a shape of a segment or an entirety of the FORS feeding tube positioned within an anatomical tract (e.g., a gastrointenstinal tract or a vascular tract).

[0031] For example, referring to FIG. 1, various FORS sensors 20 of the present disclosure are shown positioned in a gastrointenstinal tract including a stomach 10, a small intestine 11 and a large intestine 12. More particularly, a nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20N is shown for a nasogastric enteral feeding NG in stomach 10, a nasoduodenal enteral feeding ND in an upper duodenum of small intestine 11 or a nasojejunal enteral feeding NJ a mid-jejunum of small intestine 11. Additionally, a gastrostomy FORS feeding tube 20G is shown for a gastrostomy enteral feeding, and a jejunostomy FORS feeding tube 20J is shown for jejunostomy enteral feeding.

[0032] Still referring to FIG. 1, each FORS feeding tube 20 includes a FORS sensor providing three-dimensional (3D) shape information of a feeding tube for improved placement of a FORS feeding tube 20 within the gastrointenstinal tract. As will be further described herein, for navigation purposes, the shape of a FORS feeding tube 20 may be displayed (1) individually in space, (2) as an overlay on a live image (e.g., via a camera), and/or (3) as an overlay on a patient model. Additionally, as will be further described herein, the shape of a FORS feeding tube 20 may be analyzed to determine various metrics about important parameters including, but not limited to, an insertion length of a FORS feeding tube 20 within the gastrointenstinal tract, a curvature-based prediction of a correct placement of a FORS feeding tube 20 within the gastrointenstinal tract, and a measurement of physiologically-relevant parameters (e.g., breathing motion, internal body temperature, breathing, patient swallowing, patient movement, peristatic motion, coughing, etc.).

[0033] To facilitate an understanding of the various inventions of the present disclosure, the following description of FIGS. 2-5F teaches basic inventive principles of the present disclosure associated with an assembly and use of a FORS feeding tube of the present disclosure. From this description, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate how to apply the inventive principles of the present disclosure for making and using additional embodiments of a FORS feeding tube of the present disclosure. Please note the components of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 2-5F are not drawn to scale, but drawn to conceptually visualize the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a FORS feeding tube of the present disclosure employs a feeding tube 30 and a FORS sensor 40, and optionally employs a positioning guide 50.

[0035] Feeding tube 30 generally includes a tubular body 31 having a feeding lumen 32 for channeling a fluid flow (e.g., nutritional liquid, water and/or liquid medicine) from a proximal end 31p to a distal end 31d. Feeding tube 33 may further include a feeding luer 33, male or female, for connection to a source of the fluid flow (not shown). More particularly, in practice, feeding tube 30 is has dimensions suitable for a feeding a malnutrition patient. Examples of feeding tubes 30 include, but are not limited to, nasogastric feeding tubes, gastrostomy feeding tubes, jejunostomy feeding tubes, and esophagostomy feeding tubes.

[0036] FORS sensor 40 includes a single core or multi-core optical fiber 41 having controlled grating patterns (e.g., Fiber Bragg Gratings), a characteristic backscatter (e.g., Rayleigh backscatter) or any other arrangement of reflective elements and/or transmissive elements embedded, etched, imprinted, or otherwise formed in optical fiber 41. In practice, the controlled gratings, characteristic backscatter, or reflective/transmissive elements may extend along any segment or an entirety of optical fiber 41 as symbolically shown by dashed line 42 extending from a proximal end 41p to a distal end 41d. Also in practice, FORS sensor 40 may include of two (2) or more individual optical fibers 41 that may or may not be helixed.

[0037] In practice, optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 may be made partially or entirely of any glass, silica, phosphate glass or other glasses, or made of glass and plastic or plastic, or other materials used for making optical fibers. For impeding any damage to FORS sensor 40 when introduced into the patient anatomy via manual or robotic insertion, each optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 may be integrated into a positioning guide 50 via an embedding into a guide wire or a stylet as known in the art or permanently encircled by a protective sleeve as known in the art.

[0038] In practice, the protective sleeve may be made from any flexible material of a specified hardness including, but not limited to, pebax, nitinol, furcation tubing, and stranded metal tubing. Also in practice, the protective sleeve may consist of two or more tubular components of same or different degrees of flexibility and hardness in an overlapping and/or sequential arrangement.

[0039] FORS sensor 40 further includes an optical connector 43 for connecting optical fiber 41 to a launch or an optical source (e.g., optical integrator) as will be further described herein.

[0040] The inventions of the present disclosure are premised on an integration of feeding tube 30 and FORS sensor 40 to configure a FORS feeding tube for facilitating a tracking of a shape of a segment or an entirety of the FORS feeding tube as positioned within an anatomical tract. In practice, an integration of feeding tube 30 and FORS sensor 40 may be in any suitable configuration for a particular enteral feeding or a particular parental feeding.

[0041] For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a first integration approach of the present disclosure is to insert FORS sensor 40 into feeding lumen 32 of feeding tube 30 whereby proximal end 31p of feeding tube 30 and distal end 41d of FORS sensor define a FORS feeding tube 20a inclusive of proximal end 31p and/or distal end 41d, or exclusive of proximal end 31p and distal end 41d. In practice, the insertion may be permanent or temporary, and may partially or fully extend within feeding lumen 32 as shown.

[0042] FIG. 4A illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3A with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 embedded into a guidewire 51, and being partially or fully inserted into feeding lumen 32 of feeding tube 30. A proximal FORS sensor lock 60 for temporarily fixing the insertion of optical fiber 41 and guidewire 51 into feeding lumen 32 includes a hub 61 attached to guidewire 51 and a locking luer 62 (which may also serve as feeding luer 33 of FIG. 2).

[0043] Alternatively, a duel luer lock may be utilized to allow for insertion of optical fiber 41 and guidewire 51 as well an injection of saline or other fluids.

[0044] FIG. 4B illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3A with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 embedded into guidewire 51, and being partially or fully inserted into feeding lumen 32 of feeding tube 30. A proximal FORS sensor lock 70 attached to feeding tube 30 includes a guiding funnel 71, a guidewire clamp 72 (e.g., a shaft collar, a set screw, a clip, etc.), a female luer 73 and a male luer 74 (which may also serve as feeding luer of FIG. 2). Lock 70 temporarily fixes the insertion of optical fiber 41 and guidewire 51 into feeding lumen 32.

[0045] FIG. 4C illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3A with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 41 embedded into guidewire 51, and fully inserted into feeding lumen 32 of feeding tube 30. Guidewire 51 includes a balloon 80 shown inflated to temporarily or permanently fix the insertion of feeding optical fiber 41 and guidewire 51 into feeding lumen 32 of feeding tube 30.

[0046] By further example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a second integration approach of the present disclosure is to attach or mount optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 along an exterior of feeding tube 30 whereby proximal end 31p of feeding tube 30 and distal end 41d of FORS sensor 40 define a FORS feeding tube 20b inclusive of proximal end 31p and/or distal end 41d, or exclusive of proximal end 31p and distal end 41d. In practice, the attachment or mounting of optical fiber 41 may be permanent or temporary, and may partially or fully extend along feeding tube 30.

[0047] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3B with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 being partially or fully inserted into a navigation lumen 34 of feeding tube 30 extending through a wall of tubular body 31 and feeding luer 33.

[0048] FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3B with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 being partially or fully inserted into a protective covering 80 attached or mounted to an exterior of tubular body 31 and feeding luer 33.

[0049] FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3B with optical fiber 41 of FORS sensor 40 attached to an exterior of tubular body 31 of feeding tube 30, and a protective covering 81 encircling optical fiber 41 and tubular body 31.

[0050] To facilitate a further understanding of the various inventions of the present disclosure, the following description of FIGS. 6-8 teaches basic inventive principles associated with FORS feeding tube systems and methods of the present disclosure. From this description, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate how to apply the inventive principles of the present disclosure for making and using additional embodiments of FORS feeding tube systems and methods of the present disclosure. Please note the components of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 6-8 are not drawn to scale, but drawn to conceptually visualize the inventive principles of the present disclosure.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, a FORS feeding tube system of the present disclosure employs a nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG, a workstation 100 and a navigation controller 110 for executing a FORS feeding tube method of the present disclosure involving a patient P lying prone on a patient bed PB.

[0052] In operation, a FORS sensor 40 of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG distally extends from launch 47 adjoined to a rail of patient bed PB as shown or alternatively adjoined to a cart (not shown) next to patient bed PB or adjoined to a workstation (e.g., workstation 100 or a tablet (not shown)). An optical fiber 46 proximally extends from launch 47 to an optical integrator 45. In practice, optical fiber 46 may be a separate optical fiber connected to FORS sensor 40 at launch 47, or a proximal extension of FORS sensor 40 extending through launch 47.

[0053] As known in the art, a FORS controller 44 controls an emission of light by optical interrogator 45 via optical fiber 46 into FORS sensor 40 whereby the light is propagated through FORS sensor 40 to a distal end within the feeding tube to generate sensing data 48 informative of shape reconstruction of a segment or an entirety of FORS sensor 40 relative to launch 47 serving as a fixed reference position. In practice, the distal end of FORS sensor 40 may be closed, particularly for light reflective embodiments of FORS sensor 40, or may be opened, particularly for light transmissive embodiments of FORS sensor 40.

[0054] Navigation controller 110 is installed within workstation 100 including a known arrangement of a monitor 101, a keyboard 102 and a computer 103.

[0055] Navigation controller 110 includes application modules in the form of a FORS sensor tracker 111, an optional camera image tracker 112 and a navigation guide 113.

[0056] With FORS sensor 40 being connected to launch 47, FORS sensor tracker 111 processes sensing data 48 to track a shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG relative to launch 47 as known in the art.

[0057] Additionally, FORS sensor tracker 111 may analyze the shape of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG to determine various metrics about important parameters including, but not limited to, an insertion length of a nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG within the gastrointenstinal tract, and a measurement of physiologically-relevant parameters (e.g., breathing motion, internal body temperature, breathing, patient swallowing, patient movement, peristatic motion, coughing, etc.). Additionally, FORS sensor tracker 111 may further process shape parameters and/or metrics to predict the likelihood of correct placement of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG within the gastrointenstinal tract.

[0058] More particularly, FORS sensor tracker 111 may perform a measurement of a length of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG inserted within the gastrointenstinal tract by detecting the FORS axial strain change caused by the temperature change from room temperature to 37 C. after nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG enters patient P.

[0059] Furthermore, FORS sensor tracker 111 may perform a prediction of a position of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG inserted within the gastrointenstinal tract by using curvature along the shape and the length of insertion (e.g., a specific bend occurring 10 cm into feed tube 20NG representing a correct positioning of feed tube 20NG into the patient's esophagus as opposed to the patient's lungs).

[0060] In addition, FORS sensor tracker 111 may implement an automatic detection of a degree of respiratory motion to detect if nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is misplaced in a lung of patient P. This could also be extended to include detecting sphincter locations.

[0061] The FORS feeding tube system optionally employs a camera 90 for generating image data 91 illustrative of still images and/or a live video of patient P as nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is being manually or robotically positioned within a gastrointenstinal tract of patient P as known in the art. If camera 90 is employed by the system, then camera image tracker 112 processes image data 90 for a guidance display 114 on monitor 101.

[0062] Based on the processing of sensing data 49 and imaging data 91, navigation guide 113 controls guidance display 114 of the shape of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG in any suitable form for navigation purposes. A first exemplary form is a guidance display 114a of the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG in space as exemplary shown in FIG. 8A. A second exemplary form is a guidance display 114b of the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG as an overlay on a camera image or video of patient P as exemplary shown in FIG. 8B. A third exemplary form is a guidance display 114C of the shape of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG as an overlay on an anatomical model as exemplary shown in FIG. 8C. The anatomical model may be enhanced to show locations of the lungs, stomach, small intestine, etc.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart 120 representative of an exemplary FORS feeding tube method of the present disclosure will now be described herein in the context of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG of FIG. 6 having proximal FORS sensor lock 70 of FIG. 4B for temporarily fixing FORS sensor 40 within feeding tube 30. From this description, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate how to apply the method to other embodiments of a FORS feeding tube of the present disclosure.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a stage S122 of flowchart 120 encompasses a preparation of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG for manual or robotic placement within the gastrointenstinal tract during a stage S124 of flowchart 120.

[0065] In one embodiment of stage S122, nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is constructed after sterilization by a clamping via proximal FORS sensor lock 70 of a full insertion of FORS sensor 40 within feeding tube 30. Next, nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is registered on dependence of the particular display 114 of the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG within the gastrointenstinal tract.

[0066] For guidance display 114a as shown in FIG. 8A, navigation guide 113 utilizes a template or directs an operator to position a tip of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG at a head, a left shoulder, and a right shoulder to thereby register nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG in space.

[0067] For guidance display 114b as shown in FIG. 8B, navigation guide 113 directs a registration between the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG and camera 90 by having launch 47 mounted on camera 90 or in a fixed relationship to camera 90. Alternatively, registration may be done by holding the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG in the view of camera 90, and performing manual, semi-automatic, or automatic segmentation of the shape of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG in the camera still image or video. Point based registration can also be used, as is known in the art.

[0068] For guidance display 114c as shown in FIG. 8C, navigation guide 113 directs a registration of the shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG to an anatomical model by pointing to standard anatomical landmark(s) as known in the art (e.g., a top of the head, a nose, a mouth, a solar plexus, a belly button, the nipples, etc.). In practice, different models may be selected or a standard model may be morphed to scale to the anatomical landmarks.

[0069] Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment of stage S124, FORS sensor tracker 111 initiates a generation of sensing data 48 as nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is manually or robotically navigated into the gastrointenstinal tract. If camera 90 is employed, a single camera feed may be utilized or a biplane view (top and side shown simultaneously), or a multi-camera view. The camera feed gives online anatomical references to the operator while introducing nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG into the gastrointenstinal tract. Alternatively, static images may be acquired at the start of stage S124 using camera 90.

[0070] More particularly, in practice, virtual reality or augmented reality (AR) may be implemented for a display of a position of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG. For example, a shape of a segment or an entirety of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG may be projected directly onto patient P, or may be shown to the user through AR glasses, or may be superimposed on a live image stream from a tablet or smartphone. For virtual reality, the user may see a model of patient P and then be able to move along nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG and see the pathway that it is taking.

[0071] Prior to, during and/or subsequent to nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG is manually or robotically navigated into the gastrointenstinal tract, FORS sensor tracker 111 may determine various metrics as previously described herein. Of particular importance is a determination of insertion depth and tip location.

[0072] Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, upon targeted placement of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG within the gastrointenstinal tract, a stage S126 of flowchart 120 encompasses a fluid flow through nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20N to the gastrointenstinal tract. In one embodiment of stage S126, FORS sensor 40 is unclamped and removed from feeding tube 30, which remains in the gastrointenstinal tract to facilitate the delivery of the fluid. In an alternative embodiment of stage S126, for embodiments of FORS feeding tubes 20 of the present disclosure employing a permanent integration of a FORS sensor 40 and a feeding tube 30, FORS sensor tracker 111 may continue to determine various metrics during the delivery of the fluid, particularly a measurement of physiologically-relevant parameters (e.g., breathing motion, internal body temperature, breathing, patient swallowing, patient movement, peristatic motion, coughing, etc.).

[0073] Flowchart 120 is terminated upon manual or robotic removal of nasogastric FORS feeding tube 20NG from within the gastrointenstinal tract.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1-8C, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate numerous benefits of the inventions of the present disclosure including, but not limited to, an accurate representation of a shape of a feeding tube within an anatomical tract at any given time to thereby detect any buckling of the feeding tube within the anatomical tract and determine any misplacement of the feeding tube within the anatomical tract, especially in the presence of altered or shifting anatomy.

[0075] Further, as one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate in view of the teachings provided herein, features, elements, components, etc. described in the present disclosure/specification and/or depicted in the Figures may be implemented in various combinations of hardware and software, and provide functions which may be combined in a single element or multiple elements. For example, the functions of the various features, elements, components, etc. shown/illustrated/depicted in the Figures can be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software for added functionality. When provided by a processor, the functions can be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which can be shared and/or multiplexed. Moreover, explicit use of the term processor or controller should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, memory (e.g., read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile storage, etc.) and virtually any means and/or machine (including hardware, software, firmware, combinations thereof, etc.) which is capable of (and/or configurable) to perform and/or control a process.

[0076] Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (e.g., any elements developed that can perform the same or substantially similar function, regardless of structure). Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings provided herein that any block diagrams presented herein can represent conceptual views of illustrative system components and/or circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, one having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate in view of the teachings provided herein that any flow charts, flow diagrams and the like can represent various processes which can be substantially represented in computer readable storage media and so executed by a computer, processor or other device with processing capabilities, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0077] Having described preferred and exemplary embodiments of novel and inventive Fiber Optical RealShape feeding tubes, systems and methods, (which embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the teachings provided herein, including the Figures. It is therefore to be understood that changes can be made in/to the preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which are within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0078] Moreover, it is contemplated that corresponding and/or related systems incorporating and/or implementing the device/system or such as may be used/implemented in/with a device in accordance with the present disclosure are also contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, corresponding and/or related method for manufacturing and/or using a device and/or system in accordance with the present disclosure are also contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.