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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Needle Tip Tracking with a Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Receiver
Published on: August 21, 2018
Optical fiber technology enables smart needles for epidurals: an in-vivo swine study
Benito Carotenuto1, Armando Ricciardi1,2, Alberto Micco1
1Optoelectronics Group, Engineering Department, University of Sannio, Benevento I-82100, Italy.
Abstract:
Nowadays, epidural space identification is made by using subjective and manual techniques characterized by failure rates up to 7%. In this work, we propose a fiber optic sensor technology based needle guidance system, that is directly inspired by the most common technique currently used for epidurals; through real-time strain measurements, the fiber Bragg grating integrated inside the needle lumen is able to effectively perceive the typical force drop occurring when the needle enters the epidural space. An in vivo swine study demonstrates the validity of our approach, paving the way for the development of lab-in-a-needle systems.
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