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

Claim 1:
2. An apparatus for detecting and guiding one or more optical connections for one or more imaging modalities, the apparatus comprising:
one or more processors that operate to:
switch the apparatus from a main reference arm to an auxiliary reference arm;
move a linear stage and a rotary motor of the apparatus to pre-engagement or pre-disengagement positions;
measure a, or use a previously stored, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or a peak in at least one A-line scan of a patient interface component (PIC) output connector prior to engagement or disengagement of the one or more optical connections between the PIC and a catheter or probe;
move the linear stage of the apparatus to an engagement position or to a post-disengagement position;
measure an SNR or a peak of the PIC output connector after the engagement and/or the disengagement; and
determine that (i) in a case where the engagement occurs, the engagement is successful or acceptable in a case where a post-engagement SNR or peak is different from the pre-engagement SNR or peak, and/or in a case where the apparatus confirms, or the one or more processors of the apparatus confirm, that only one peak is present in at least one A-line at or about the PIC output connector; and/or (ii) in a case where the disengagement occurs, that the disengagement is successful or acceptable in a case where a post-disengagement SNR or peak is different from the pre-disengagement SNR or peak, and/or in a case where the apparatus confirms, or the one or more processors of the apparatus confirm, that a second peak is present in at least one A-line at a distance from the PIC output connector about equal or equal to a distance between pre-disengagement and post-disengagement positions or about where the catheter or probe connector is expected or estimated.