Patent Publication Number: US-11638536-B1

Title: Optical connection systems and methods thereof

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/185,777, filed Feb. 25, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,474,310, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/983,402, filed Feb. 28, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     At times, a tip of a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) or central venous catheter (“CVC”) can move becoming displaced from an ideal position in a patient&#39;s superior vena cava (“SVC”). A clinician believing such a PICC or CVC has displaced typically checks for displacement by chest X-ray and replaces the PICC or CVC if necessary. Because X-rays expose patients to ionizing radiation, medical devices such as PICCs and CVCs are being developed with integrated optical-fiber stylets for clinicians to easily and safely check for displacement thereof. However, in order for the clinicians to check for displacement, the PICCs or CVCs, which are sterile as provided, need to be at least optically connected to non-sterile capital equipment without compromising sterile conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a relay module that allows for single-use medical devices such as the foregoing PICCs and CVCs to be at least optically connected to non-sterile capital equipment without compromising sterile conditions. 
     Disclosed herein are optical connection systems including electrical-and-optical connection systems and methods thereof. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein is an electrical-and-optical connection system including, in some embodiments, an extension tube having a plug and a relay module having a receptacle. The extension tube includes one or more optical-fiber cores extending along a length of the extension tube, one or more electrical wires extending along the length of the extension tube over the one or more optical fibers, and the plug. The plug is formed of a metal piece around the one or more electrical wires. The plug is configured to pierce through at least a sterile barrier. The relay module is configured to relay electrical and optical signals to a receiver thereof. The relay module includes one or more optical-fiber cores within a housing of the relay module, one or more electrical wires within the housing of the relay module, and the receptacle disposed in the housing. The receptacle is configured to simultaneously accept insertion of the plug therein and establish both electrical and optical connections between the plug and the receptacle from a sterile field to a non-sterile field. 
     In some embodiments, the metal piece is fixedly coupled to the one or more electrical wires of the extension tube by an electrically conductive adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, the metal piece is crimped onto the one or more electrical wires of the extension tube fixedly coupling the metal piece thereto. 
     In some embodiments, the receptacle includes one or more electrical contacts configured to form the electrical connection with the metal piece when the plug is inserted into the receptacle with the sterile barrier therebetween. Such a configuration enables the electrical connection from the sterile field to the non-sterile field. 
     In some embodiments, the receptacle includes an optical receiver configured to accept insertion of an optical terminal of the plug and form the optical connection when the plug is inserted into the receptacle with the sterile barrier therebetween. Such a configuration enables the optical connection from the sterile field to the non-sterile field. 
     In some embodiments, the electrical-and-optical connection system further includes a plug-inserting device configured to removably attach to a surface of the relay module. 
     The plug-inserting device includes a plug holder configured to hold the extension tube or the plug. The plug-inserting device is configured to insert the plug into the receptacle when the plug-inserting device is attached to the relay module, the plug holder is holding the plug, and the plug-inserting device is actuated to insert the plug into the receptacle. 
     In some embodiments, the plug-inserting device includes a lever as an actuator for inserting the plug into the receptacle. The lever is configured to insert the plug into the receptacle when the lever is moved through a circular sector toward the plug holder. 
     In some embodiments, the relay module is configured to sit on or alongside a patient beneath the sterile barrier. 
     In some embodiments, the housing includes a patient-facing surface configured to be adhered to the patient. Such a configuration enables the relay module to be secured to the patient while establishing both the electrical and optical connections between the plug and the relay module. 
     Also disclosed herein is an optical connection system including, in some embodiments, an extension tube having extension-tube connector and a relay module having a relay-module connector. The extension tube includes one or more optical-fiber cores extending along a length of the extension tube and the extension-tube connector. The extension-tube connector includes an optical terminal disposed in a mating surface of the extension-tube connector. The relay module is configured to relay optical signals to a receiver thereof. The relay module includes one or more optical-fiber cores within a housing of the relay module and the relay-module connector. The relay-module connector includes an optical receiver disposed in a mating surface of the relay-module connector. The extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector are configured to mate across a transparent window of a sterile barrier and establish an optical connection between the optical terminal in a sterile field and the optical receiver in a non-sterile field. 
     In some embodiments, the extension-tube connector includes one or more alignment magnets disposed in the mating surface of the extension-tube connector around an optical terminal. In addition, the relay-module connector includes one or more alignment magnets disposed in the mating surface of the relay-module connector around an optical receiver. 
     In some embodiments, a shape of each connector of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector enforces a particular orientation of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector when mated across the transparent window. 
     In some embodiments, magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets of each connector of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector enforces a particular orientation of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector when mated across the transparent window. 
     In some embodiments, a shape of each connector of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector is rotationally symmetric. Such a configuration allows a number of rotationally equivalent orientations of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector when mated across the transparent window. 
     In some embodiments, all magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets of the extension-tube connector are of a same orientation but opposite all magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets of the relay-module connector. Such a configuration allows a number of rotationally equivalent orientations of the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector when mated across the transparent window. 
     In some embodiments, the relay module is configured to sit on or alongside a patient beneath the sterile barrier. 
     In some embodiments, the housing includes a patient-facing surface configured to be adhered to the patient. Such a configuration enables the relay module to be secured to the patient while establishing both the electrical and optical connections between the plug and the relay module. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of an electrical-and-optical connection system. The method includes, in some embodiments, a relay-module placing step, a sterile-barrier placing step, and a first plug-inserting step. The relay-module placing step includes placing a relay module on or alongside patient. The sterile-barrier placing step includes placing a sterile barrier over the patient. Such a step establishes a sterile field over the sterile barrier and a non-sterile field under the sterile barrier. The first plug-inserting step includes inserting a plug of an extension tube communicatively connected to a medical device in the sterile field into a receptacle of the relay module in the non-sterile field. The first plug-inserting step simultaneously establishes both electrical and optical connections between the medical device and the relay module across the sterile barrier. 
     In some embodiments, the relay-module placing step occurs before the sterile-barrier placing step. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes a mounting step and second plug-inserting step. The mounting step includes mounting a plug-inserting device over a surface of the relay module. The second plug-inserting step includes inserting the plug into a plug holder of the plug-inserting device. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes an actuating step of actuating a lever of the plug-inserting device for inserting the plug into the receptacle. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of an optical connection system. The method includes, in some embodiments, a relay-module placing step, a sterile-barrier placing step, and a mating step. The relay-module placing step includes placing a relay module on or alongside a patient. The sterile-barrier placing step includes placing a sterile barrier having a transparent window over the patient. Such a step establishes a sterile field over the sterile barrier and a non-sterile field under the sterile barrier. The mating step includes mating an extension-tube connector of an extension tube communicatively connected to a medical device in the sterile field with a relay-module connector of the relay module in the non-sterile field with the transparent window between the extension-tube connector and the relay-module connector. The mating step establishes the optical connection between the medical device and the relay module across the sterile barrier. 
     In some embodiments, the relay-module placing step occurs before the sterile-barrier placing step. 
     In some embodiments, the mating step includes orientating the extension-tube connector such that its shape matches a shape of the relay-module connector. 
     In some embodiments, the mating step includes orientating the extension-tube connector such that magnetic poles of its one or more alignment magnets complement magnetic poles of one or more alignment magnets of the relay-module connector. 
     These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which describe particular embodiments of such concepts in greater detail. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a first shape-sensing system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a second shape-sensing system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates the second shape-sensing system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-section of a catheter tube of a medical device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a plug of an extension tube of a medical device for establishing both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a detailed view of a relay module with a receptacle for establishing optical connections or both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a plug-inserting device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the second shape-sensing system in use during a patient procedure in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates the second shape-sensing system in use during a patient procedure with a sterile barrier in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an extension-tube optical connector of an extension tube of a medical device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a relay module with a relay-module optical connector for establishing optical connections in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Before some particular embodiments are disclosed in greater detail, it should be understood that the particular embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that a particular embodiment disclosed herein can have features that can be readily separated from the particular embodiment and optionally combined with or substituted for features of any of a number of other embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Regarding terms used herein, it should also be understood the terms are for the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps in a group of features or steps, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” features or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the particular embodiments including such features or steps need not necessarily be limited to the three features or steps. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     With respect to “proximal,” a “proximal portion” or a “proximal end portion” of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near a clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Likewise, a “proximal length” of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. A “proximal end” of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. The proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter; however, the proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter. 
     With respect to “distal,” a “distal portion” or a “distal end portion” of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near or in a patient when the catheter is used on the patient. Likewise, a “distal length” of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. A “distal end” of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. The distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter can include the distal end of the catheter; however, the distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As set forth above, there is a need for a relay module that allows for single-use medical devices such as the foregoing PICCs and CVCs to be at least optically connected to non-sterile capital equipment without compromising sterile conditions. Disclosed herein are optical connection systems including electrical-and-optical connection systems and methods thereof. 
     Features of the optical connection systems provided herein will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description, which provide particular embodiments of the optical connection systems in greater detail. For context, shape-sensing systems are described first followed by medical devices and relay modules of the shape-sensing systems, as well as methods of the foregoing. The optical connection systems and the electrical-and-optical connection systems are described among a combination of the shape-sensing systems, the medical devices, and the relay modules. 
     Shape-Sensing Systems 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a first shape-sensing system  100  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a second shape-sensing system  200  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  3    illustrates the second shape-sensing system  200  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  8    illustrates the second shape-sensing system  200  in use during a patient procedure in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  9    illustrates the second shape-sensing system  200  in use during a patient procedure with a sterile barrier  903  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, the shape-sensing system  100  or  200  includes, in some embodiments, a medical device  110 , a console  130  or  230 , and relay module  120  configured for connecting the medical device  110  to a remainder of the shape-sensing system  100  or  200  such as the console  230 . The medical device  110  is typically used in a sterile field while the relay module  120  and the console  130  or  230  are typically used in a non-sterile field as defined by at least the sterile barrier  903  (e.g., drape) as one of several possible sterile barriers (e.g., drape, plastic holder, sheath, etc.). 
     The medical device  110  includes at least an integrated optical-fiber stylet including one or more optical-fiber cores, each core, in turn, having a number of fiber Bragg grating (“FBG”) sensors along a length thereof for shape sensing with the shape-sensing system  100  or  200 . (See integrated optical-fiber stylet  424  in  FIG.  4    for an example of the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110 .) However, the medical device  110  can also include electrical componentry such as an electrocardiogram (“ECG”) stylet and one or more electrical wires in support of the ECG stylet. 
     Certain features of the medical device  110  are set forth in more detail below with respect to particular embodiments of the medical device  110  such as the PICC  310 . That said, some features (e.g., the optical fiber stylet, the ECG stylet, etc.) set forth below with respect to one or more embodiments of the medical device  110  such as the PICC  310  can be shared among two or more embodiments of the medical device  110 . As such, “medical device  110 ” is used herein to generically refer to more than one embodiment of the medical device  110  when needed for expository expediency. This is despite certain features having been described with respect to particular embodiments of the medical device  110  such as the PICC  310 . 
     While only shown for the console  230 , each console of the consoles  130  and  230  includes memory  236  and one or more processors  234  for converting reflected optical signals from the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  into displayable shapes for the medical device  110 . The displayable shapes for the medical device  110  can be displayed on an integrated display screen integrated into the console  130  or  230  or a display screen of a stand-alone monitor coupled to the console  130  or  230 . 
     The shape-sensing system  100  further includes a stand-alone optical interrogator  140  communicatively coupled to the console  130 , whereas the shape-sensing system  200  further includes an integrated optical interrogator  232  integrated into the console  230 . The optical interrogator  140  or  232  is configured to send input optical signals into the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  by way of the relay module  120  and receive reflected optical signals from the optical-fiber stylet by way of the relay module  120 . 
     The relay module  120  includes a housing  324 , a cable  326  extending from the housing  324 , and one or more optical-fiber cores  628  (“optical fiber  628 ”) extending through the housing  324  and along the cable  326 . (For the optical fiber  628 , see  FIG.  6   .) The relay module  120  is configured to establish at least an optical connection between the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  and the optical fiber  628  of the relay module  120 . The relay module  120  is also configured with a plug  330  at a terminus of the cable  326  to establish at least another optical connection between the optical fiber  628  of the relay module  120  and the optical interrogator  140  or  232 . The optical fiber  628  of the relay module  120  is configured to convey the input optical signals from the optical interrogator  140  or  232  to the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  and the reflected optical signals from the optical-fiber stylet to the optical interrogator  140  or  232 . 
     The relay module  120  can also be configured to establish an electrical connection between the medical device  110  and the relay module  120 , an electrical connection between the relay module  120  and the console  103  or  230 , or both as set forth in more detail below. In support of such electrical connections, the relay module  120  can include one or more electricals wires extending through the housing  324  and along the cable  326  like the optical fiber  628 . 
     The relay module  120  can further include one or more sensors  222  selected from at least a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer disposed within the housing  324 . The one or more sensors  222  are configured to provide sensor data to the console  130  or  230  by way of the one or more electrical wires within the housing  324  and the cable  326  for determining a reference plane for shape sensing with the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110 . 
     Certain features of the relay module  120  are set forth in more detail below with respect to particular embodiments of the relay module  120 . That said, some features set forth below with respect to one or more embodiments of the relay module  120  are shared among two or more embodiments of the relay module  120 . As such, “relay module  120 ” is used herein to generically refer to more than one embodiment of the relay module  120  when needed for expository expediency. This is despite certain features having been described with respect to particular embodiments of the relay module  120 . 
     Medical devices 
       FIG.  3    also illustrates a PICC  310  as the medical device  110  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-section of a catheter tube  312  of the PICC  310  including an integrated optical-fiber stylet  424  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  5    illustrates a plug  322  of an extension tube or cable  320  of the medical device  110  for establishing both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, the PICC  310  includes the catheter tube  312 , a bifurcated hub  314 , two extension legs  316 , and two Luer connectors  318  operably connected in the foregoing order. The catheter tube  312  includes two catheter-tube lumens  413  and the optical-fiber stylet  424  disposed in a longitudinal bead of the catheter tube  312  such as between the two catheter-tube lumens  413 , as extruded. Optionally, in a same or different longitudinal bead of the catheter tube  312 , the PICC  310  can further include the ECG stylet. The bifurcated hub  314  has two hub lumens correspondingly fluidly connected to the two catheter-tube lumens  413 . Each extension leg of the two extension legs  316  has an extension-leg lumen fluidly connected to a hub lumen of the two hub lumens. The PICC  310  further includes the extension tube  320  either extending from the bifurcated hub  314  or communicatively coupled to the bifurcated hub  314 . When extending from the bifurcated hub  314 , the extension tube  320  can be a skived portion of the catheter tube  312  including the optical-fiber stylet  424  and, if present, the ECG stylet, which extension tube  320  can terminate in the plug  322  for establishing an optical connection between the optical-fiber stylet  424  of the PICC  310  and the optical fiber  628  of the relay module  120 , as well as any electrical connections. The skived portion of the catheter tube  312  can be disposed in another tube, which, in combination, forms the extension tube  320  terminating in the plug  322  for establishing the foregoing optical and electrical connections. 
     While the PICC  310  is provided as a particular embodiment of the medical device  110  of the shape-sensing system  100  or  200 , it should be understood that any of a number of medical devices including catheters such as a CVC can include at least an optical-fiber stylet and, optionally, electrical componentry such as the ECG stylet and the one or more wires in support thereof, terminating in a plug for establishing an optical connection or both optical and electrical connections between the medical device and the relay module  120 . 
     Relay Modules 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a detailed view of the relay module  120  with a receptacle  632  for establishing optical connections or both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  9    illustrates the second shape-sensing system  200  in use during a patient procedure with the sterile barrier  903  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, the relay module  120  includes the housing  324 , the receptacle  632  disposed in the housing  324 , the cable  326  extending from the housing  324 , and at least the optical fiber  628  within the housing  324  and the cable  326 . Again, the relay module  120  can include one or more electricals wires extending through the housing  324  and along the cable  326  similar to the optical fiber  628  in some embodiments. 
     The receptacle  632  includes an optical receiver configured to accept insertion of an optical terminal of a plug of the medical device  110  (e.g., the plug  322  of the PICC  310 ) for establishing an optical connection between the relay module  120  and the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  (e.g., the optical-fiber stylet  424  of the PICC  310 ) when the plug is inserted into the receptacle  632 . The receptacle  632  can also include one or more electrical contacts configured to contact an electrical terminal (e.g., the metal piece of the plug  322 ) of the plug of the medical device  110  (e.g., the plug  322  of the PICC  310 ), when present, for establishing an electrical connection between the relay module  120  and the one or more electrical wires of the medical device  110  when the plug is inserted into the receptacle  632 . 
     The cable  326  includes the plug  330  for establishing an optical connection between the relay module  120  and the optical interrogator  232  of the console  230 , as well as an electrical connection between the relay module  120  and the console  230  in some embodiments. 
     The optical fiber  628  extends from the receptacle  632  through the cable  326  to the plug  330 . The optical fiber  628  is configured to convey the input optical signals from the optical interrogator  232  to the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  (e.g., the optical-fiber stylet  424  of the PICC  310 ) and the reflected optical signals from the optical-fiber stylet to the optical interrogator  232 . 
     As set forth above, the relay module  120  can further include the one or more sensors  222  selected from the gyroscope, the accelerometer, and the magnetometer disposed within the housing  324 . The one or more sensors  222  are configured to provide sensor data for determining a reference plane for shape sensing with the optical-fiber stylet of the medical device  110  (e.g., the optical-fiber stylet  424  of the PICC  310 ). 
     As with the optical fiber  628 , the one or more electrical wires, when present in the relay module  120 , extend from the one or more sensors  222 , if present, the receptacle  632 , or both the one or more sensors  222  and the receptacle  632  through the cable  326  to the plug  330 . In addition to any needed electrical power, the one or more electrical wires are configured to convey input electrical signals from the console  230  to the one or more sensors  222 , when present in the relay module  120 . The one or more electrical wire are also configured to convey any output electrical signals from the one or more sensors  222 , the ECG stylet, if present in the medical device  110 , or both the one or more sensors  222  and the ECG stylet to the console  230 . 
     The relay module  120  is configured to sit beneath the sterile barrier  903  on or alongside a patient P such as on a chest of the patient. As such, the relay module  120  need not require disinfection or sterilization. However, should the relay module  120  require disinfection or sterilization, the relay module  120  can be configured to be amenable to disinfection or sterilization. For example, the housing  324  of the relay module  120  can be non-porous or chemically resistant to oxidants. The relay module  120  can be configured for manual disinfection with a ChloraPrep® product by Becton, Dickinson and Company (Franklin Lakes, N.J.), or the relay module  120  can be configured for automatic high-level disinfection or sterilization with vaporized H 2 O 2  by way of Trophon® by Nanosonics Inc. (Indianapolis, Ind.). 
     While not shown, the housing  324  of the relay module  120  can include a loop extending from the housing  324 , a tether point integrated into the housing  324 , or a ball-lock-pin receiver integrated into the housing  324  configured for attaching a neck strap to the relay module  120 . The loop, the tether point, or the ball-lock-pin receiver enables the relay module  120  to be secured to a neck of the patient P while sitting on the patient&#39;s chest. Additionally or alternatively, the housing  324  includes a patient-facing surface (e.g., a back of the relay module  120 ) configured to be adhered to the patient&#39;s chest. The patient-facing surface enables the relay module  120  to be secured to the patient while sitting on or alongside the patient whether or not the relay module  120  is also secured to the patient&#39;s neck. 
     Again, the receptacle  632  includes the optical receiver configured to accept insertion of the optical terminal of the plug of the medical device  110  (e.g., the plug  322  of the PICC  310 ) and form an optical connection when the plug is inserted into the receptacle  632 . The receptacle  632  can also include one or more electrical contacts configured to contact the electrical terminal (e.g., the metal piece of the plug  322 ) of the plug of the medical device  110  (e.g., the plug  322  of the PICC  310 ), when present, for establishing an electrical connection between the relay module  120  and the one or more electrical wires of the medical device  110  when the plug is inserted into the receptacle  632 . However, with the relay module  120 , such optical and electrical connections are formed with the sterile barrier  903  between the relay module  120  and the medical device  110 . The receptacle  632  and the plug of the medical device  110  enable such connections from a sterile field (e.g., above the sterile barrier  903 ) including the medical device  110  such as the PICC  310  to a non-sterile field (e.g., beneath the sterile barrier  903 ) including the relay module  120 . 
     Connection Systems 
       FIG.  5    illustrates the plug  322  of the extension tube  320  of the medical device  110  for establishing both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  6    illustrates a detailed view of the relay module  120  with the receptacle  632  for establishing optical connections or both optical and electrical connections in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, an electrical-and-optical connection system can include the extension tube  320  having the plug  322  and the relay module  120  having the receptacle  632 . 
     As set forth above, the extension tube  320  can include one or more optical-fiber cores extending from the optical-fiber stylet  424  along a length of the extension tube  320 , one or more electrical wires (e.g., one or more electrical wires  525 ) extending along the length of the extension tube  320  over the one or more optical fibers such as braided over the one or more optical fibers, and the plug  322 . 
     The plug  322  is formed of a metal piece (e.g., a metal ferrule) around the one or more electrical wires, which, in turn, are over the one or more optical-fiber cores. The metal piece can be fixedly coupled to the one or more electrical wires of the extension tube  320  by an electrically conductive adhesive (e.g., electrically conductive epoxy), crimped onto the one or more electrical wires of the extension tube  320 , or a combination thereof. The plug  322  or the metal piece thereof is sufficiently tapered such that it is configured to pierce through at least a sterile barrier such as the sterile barrier  903 . 
     As set forth above, the relay module  120  can be configured to relay both optical signals and electrical signals to a receiver thereof such as the console  230  of the shape-sensing system  200 . When so configured, the relay module  120  includes one or more optical-fiber cores within the housing  324  of the relay module  120 , one or more electrical wires within the housing  324 , and the receptacle  632  disposed in the housing  324 . 
     The receptacle  632  is configured to simultaneously accept insertion of the plug  322  therein and establish both electrical and optical connections between the plug  322  and the receptacle  632  from a sterile field to a non-sterile field. For the optical connection, the receptacle  632  includes the optical receiver set forth above configured to accept insertion of the optical terminal of the plug  322  and form the optical connection when the plug  322  is inserted into the receptacle  632  with the sterile barrier  903  therebetween. Such a configuration enables the optical connection from the sterile field to the non-sterile field. For the electrical connection, the receptacle  632  includes the one or more electrical contacts set forth herein configured to form the electrical connection with the metal piece when the plug  322  is inserted into the receptacle  632  with the sterile barrier  903  therebetween. Such a configuration enables the electrical connection from the sterile field to the non-sterile field. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a plug-inserting device  700  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, the electrical-and-optical connection system set forth above can further include the plug-inserting device  700 . The plug-inserting device  700  is configured to removably attach to a surface of the relay module  120  with the sterile barrier  903  between the plug-inserting device  700  and the relay module  120  as shown in  FIG.  7    for inserting the plug  322  into the receptacle  632  of the relay module  120 . 
     The plug-inserting device  700  includes a plug holder  702  and a lever  704 . The plug holder  702  is configured to hold the extension tube  320  or the plug  322 . The lever  704  is an actuator configured to insert the plug  322  into the receptacle  632  of the relay module  120  when the lever  704  is moved through a circular sector toward the plug holder  702  as shown in  FIG.  7   . Indeed, the plug-inserting device  700  is configured to insert the plug  322  into the receptacle  632  when the plug-inserting device  700  is attached to the relay module  120 , the plug holder  702  is holding the plug  322 , and the plug-inserting device  700  is actuated by the lever  704  to insert the plug  322  into the receptacle  632 . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an extension-tube optical connector  1022  of the extension tube  320  of the medical device  110  in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  11    illustrates a relay module  1120  with a relay-module optical connector  1122  for establishing optical connections across a sterile barrier  1103  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     As shown, an optical connection system can include the extension tube  320  having the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay module  1120  having the relay-module connector  1122 . 
     As set forth above, the extension tube  320  can include one or more optical-fiber cores extending from the optical-fiber stylet  424  along a length of the extension tube  320 . The one or more optical-fibers can extend to an optical terminal in a mating surface of the extension-tube connector  1022 . 
     The extension-tube connector  1022  includes one or more alignment magnets  1026  disposed in the mating surface of the extension-tube connector  1022  around the optical terminal or an end portion of the optical-fiber stylet  424 . 
     As set forth above, the relay module  120  can be configured to relay optical signals to a receiver thereof such as the console  230  of the shape-sensing system  200 . When the relay module  1120  is so configured, the relay module  1120  includes one or more optical-fiber cores within a housing  1124  of the relay module  1120  and the relay-module connector  1122 . 
     The relay-module connector  1122  includes one or more alignment magnets  1126  disposed in a mating surface of the relay-module connector  1122  around an optical receiver  1132 . 
     The extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  are configured to mate across a transparent window  1104  of the sterile barrier  1103  (e.g., drape) and establish an optical connection between the optical terminal of the extension-tube connector  1022  in a sterile field and the optical receiver of the relay-module connector  1122  in a non-sterile field. 
     A shape of each connector of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  can be configured to enforce a particular orientation of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  when mated across the transparent window  1104  of the sterile barrier  1103 . For example, each connector of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  shown in  FIG.  11    is rectangular or longer than it is wide, thereby enforcing two of the four most reasonable orientations for rectangular connectors. 
     Magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1026  and  1126  of each connector of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  can additionally or alternatively be configured to enforce a particular orientation of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  when mated across the transparent window  1104  of the sterile barrier  1103 . For example, a first side of the extension-tube connector  1022  can include a first pair of the alignment magnets  1026  having a same magnetic pole orientation (e.g., N). A second side of the extension-tube connector  1022  can include a second pair of the alignment magnets  1026  having a same magnetic pole orientation (e.g., S) but different than the first side of the extension-tube connector. The relay-module connector  1122  can be likewise configured such that similar sides of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  repel each other when brought close to each other and dissimilar sides of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  attract each other when brought close to each other. In this way, two of the four most reasonable orientations of, for example, square-shaped connectors can be enforced. However, if the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  are rectangular as shown in  FIG.  11   , both the shape and the magnetic poles configured as in the example can enforce a single orientation. 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a shape of each connector of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  can be rotationally symmetric. Such a configuration allows a number of rotationally equivalent orientations of the extension-tube connector  102  and the relay-module connector  1122  when mated across the transparent window  1104  of the sterile barrier  1103 . For example, all the magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1026  of the extension-tube connector  1022  can be of a same magnetic pole orientation but opposite all the magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1126  of the relay-module connector  1122  to complement all the magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1126  of the relay-module connector  1122 . Indeed, such a configuration allows a number of rotationally equivalent orientations of the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122  when mated across the transparent window  1104  of the sterile barrier  1103 . 
     Methods 
       FIG.  9    illustrates the second shape-sensing system  200  in use during a patient procedure with the sterile barrier  903  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     A method of an electrical-and-optical connection system can be a part of a method of the shape-sensing system  100  or  200 . Such a method can include a relay-module placing step, a sterile-barrier placing step, and a first plug-inserting step. 
     The relay-module placing step includes placing the relay module  1120  on or alongside the patient P such as on the chest of the patient. Prior to the relay-module placing step, the method can further include a disinfecting or sterilizing step of disinfecting or sterilizing the relay module  1120  before placing the relay module  1120  on or alongside the patient. 
     The sterile-barrier placing step includes placing the sterile barrier  903  over the patient. Such a step establishes a sterile field over the sterile barrier  903  and a non-sterile field under the sterile barrier  903  and can occur after the relay-module placing step. 
     The first plug-inserting step includes inserting the plug  322  of the extension tube  320  communicatively connected to the medical device  110  (e.g., the PICC  310 ) in the sterile field into the receptacle  632  of the relay module  120  in the non-sterile field. The first plug-inserting step simultaneously establishes both electrical and optical connections between the medical device  110  (e.g. the PICC  310 ) and the relay module  120  across the sterile barrier  903 . 
     Before the first plug-inserting step, the method can further include a mounting step and second plug-inserting step. The mounting step includes mounting the plug-inserting device  700  over the surface of the relay module  120 . The second plug-inserting step includes inserting the plug  322  into the plug holder  702  of the plug-inserting device  700  for the first plug-inserting step. 
     Following on the mounting and second plug-inserting steps, the method can further include an actuating step of actuating the lever  704  of the plug-inserting device  700  for inserting the plug  322  into the receptacle  632  during the first plug-inserting step. 
     A method of an optical connection system can also be a part of a method of the shape-sensing system  100  or  200 . Such a method can include a relay-module placing step, a sterile-barrier placing step, and a mating step. 
     The relay-module placing step includes placing the relay module  1120  on or alongside the patient P such as on the chest of the patient. Prior to the relay-module placing step, the method can further include a disinfecting or sterilizing step of disinfecting or sterilizing the relay module  1120  before placing the relay module  1120  on or alongside the patient. 
     The sterile-barrier placing step includes placing the sterile barrier  1103  having the transparent window  1104  over the patient. Such a step establishes a sterile field over the sterile barrier  1103  and a non-sterile field under the sterile barrier  1103  and can occur after the relay-module placing step. 
     The mating step includes mating the extension-tube connector  1022  of the extension tube  320  communicatively connected to the medical device  110  (e.g., the PICC  310 ) in the sterile field with the relay-module connector  1122  of the relay module  1120  in the non-sterile field with the transparent window  1104  between the extension-tube connector  1022  and the relay-module connector  1122 . The mating step establishes the optical connection between the medical device  110  and the relay module  1120  across the sterile barrier  1103 . 
     The mating step includes orientating the extension-tube connector  1022  such that its shape matches the shape of the relay-module connector  1122 . The mating step can also include orientating the extension-tube connector  1022  such that the magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1026  complement the magnetic poles of the one or more alignment magnets  1126  of the relay-module connector  1122 . 
     While some particular embodiments have been disclosed herein, and while the particular embodiments have been disclosed in some detail, it is not the intention for the particular embodiments to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and/or modifications can appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, in broader aspects, these adaptations and/or modifications are encompassed as well. Accordingly, departures may be made from the particular embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.