Patent ID: 11920929
Assignee: CANON U.S.A., INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  A | IPC A  G

Claim 13:
14. A method for detecting and guiding one or more optical connections for one or more imaging modalities of an apparatus or system, the method comprising:
switching the apparatus or system from a main reference arm to an auxiliary reference arm;
moving a linear stage and a rotary motor of the apparatus or system to pre-engagement and/or pre-disengagement positions;
moving the linear stage to an engagement position for engagement of the one or more optical connections between a patient interface component (PIC) and a catheter or probe while measuring a distance between a reflection of a PIC output connector and a reflection of a catheter or probe connector, or moving the apparatus to a post-disengagement position for disengagement between the one or more optical connections between a patient interface component (PIC) and a catheter or probe while measuring a distance between a reflection of a PIC output connector and a reflection of a catheter or probe connector;
using the distance information to guide and determine when the engagement position or the post-disengagement position is reached;
performing a pullback of the linear stage to release mechanical tension and to determine a status of one or more optical connections of the apparatus or system in a case where the engagement position is reached; and
determining that (i) in a case where the engagement occurs, the engagement is successful or acceptable in a case where only one peak is present in at least one A-line scan of, or at or about, the PIC output connector and/or (ii) in a case where the disengagement occurs, the disengagement is successful or acceptable in a case where there is more than one peak present in at least one A-line scan where the peaks are separated by a distance consistent with a mechanical distance traveled by the linear stage within a margin of error or by a determined distance within a margin of error.