From conventional sensors to fibre optic sensors for strain and force measurements in biomechanics applications: a review

Coaxial Cable Distributed Strain Sensing: Methods, Applications and Challenges

Distributed strain sensing is a powerful tool for in situ structural health monitoring for a wide range of critical engineering infrastructures. Strain information from a single sensing device can be captured from multiple locations simultaneously, offering a reduction in hardware, wiring, installation costs, and signal analysis complexity. Fiber optic distributed strain sensors have been the widely adopted approach in this field, but their use is limited to lower strain applications due to the fragile nature of silica fiber. Coaxial cable sensors offer a robust structure that can be adapted into a distributed strain sensor. They can withstand greater strain events and offer greater resilience in harsh environments. This paper presents the developments in methodology for coaxial cable distributed strain sensors. It explores the two main approaches of coaxial cable distributed strain sensing such as time domain reflectometry and frequency domain reflectometry with applications. Furthermore, this paper highlights further areas of research challenges in this field, such as the deconvolution of strain and temperature effects from coaxial cable distributed strain sensor measurements, mitigating the effect of dielectric permittivity on the accuracy of strain measurements, addressing manufacturing challenges with the partial reflectors for a robust coaxial cable sensor, and the adoption of data-driven analysis techniques for interrogating the interferogram to eliminate concomitant measurement effects with respect to temperature, dielectric permittivity, and signal-to-noise ratio, amongst others.

Passive and Active Exoskeleton Solutions: Sensors, Actuators, Applications, and Recent Trends

Recent advancements in exoskeleton technology, both passive and active, are driven by the need to enhance human capabilities across various industries as well as the need to provide increased safety for the human worker. This review paper examines the sensors, actuators, mechanisms, design, and applications of passive and active exoskeletons, providing an in-depth analysis of various exoskeleton technologies. The main scope of this paper is to examine the recent developments in the exoskeleton developments and their applications in different fields and identify research opportunities in this field. The paper examines the exoskeletons used in various industries as well as research-level prototypes of both active and passive types. Further, it examines the commonly used sensors and actuators with their advantages and disadvantages applicable to different types of exoskeletons. Communication protocols used in different exoskeletons are also discussed with the challenges faced.

A Simple Method to Manufacture a Force Sensor Array Based on a Single-Material 3D-Printed Piezoresistive Foam and Metal Coating

Nowadays, 3D printing is becoming an increasingly common option for the manufacturing of sensors, primarily due to its capacity to produce intricate geometric shapes. However, a significant challenge persists in integrating multiple materials during printing, for various reasons. In this study, we propose a straightforward approach that combines 3D printing with metal coating to create an array of resistive force sensors from a single material. The core concept involves printing a sensing element using a conductive material and subsequently separating it into distinct parts using metal-coated lines connected to the electrical ground. This post-printing separation process involves manual intervention utilizing a stencil and metallic spray. The primary obstacle lies in establishing a sufficient contact surface between the sprayed metal and the structure, to ensure effective isolation among different zones. To address this challenge, we suggest employing a lattice structure to augment the contact surface area. Through experimental validation, we demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating two sensing elements from a single-material 3D-printed structure, with a maximum electrical isolation ratio between the sensors of above 30. These findings hold promise for the development of a new generation of low-tech 3D-printed force/displacement sensor arrays.

Intrarenal pressure detection during flexible ureteroscopy with fiber optic pressure sensor system in porcine model

To validate the feasibility of a fiber-optic pressure sensor-based pressure measurement device for monitoring intrarenal pressure and to analyze the effects of ureteral acess sheath (UAS) type, surgical location, perfusion flow rate, and measurement location on intrarenal pressure (IRP). The measurement deviations and response times to transient pressure changes were compared between a fiber-optic pressure sensing device and a urodynamic device IRP in an in vitro porcine kidney and in a water tank. Finally, pressure measurements were performed in anesthetized female pigs using fiber-optic pressure sensing device with different UAS, different perfusion flow rates, and different surgical positions at different renal calyces and ureteropelvic junctions (UPJ). According to our operation, the result is fiber optic pressure sensing devices are highly accurate and sensitive. Under the same conditions, IRP varied among different renal calyces and UPJ (P < 0.05). IRP was lowest at 50 ml/min and highest at 150 ml/min (P < 0.05). Surgical position had a significant effect on IRP (P < 0.05). 12/14 Fr UAS had a lower IRP than 11/13 Fr UAS. Therefore fiber optic pressure sensing devices are more advantageous for IRP measurements. In ureteroscopy, the type of ureteral sheath, the surgical position, the perfusion flow rate, and the location of the measurement all affect the intrarenal pressure value.

Recent Progress and Challenges of Implantable Biodegradable Biosensors

Implantable biosensors have evolved to the cutting-edge technology of personalized health care and provide promise for future directions in precision medicine. This is the reason why these devices stand to revolutionize our approach to health and disease management and offer insights into our bodily functions in ways that have never been possible before. This review article tries to delve into the important developments, new materials, and multifarious applications of these biosensors, along with a frank discussion on the challenges that the devices will face in their clinical deployment. In addition, techniques that have been employed for the improvement of the sensitivity and specificity of the biosensors alike are focused on in this article, like new biomarkers and advanced computational and data communicational models. A significant challenge of miniaturized in situ implants is that they need to be removed after serving their purpose. Surgical expulsion provokes discomfort to patients, potentially leading to post-operative complications. Therefore, the biodegradability of implants is an alternative method for removal through natural biological processes. This includes biocompatible materials to develop sensors that remain in the body over longer periods with a much-reduced immune response and better device longevity. However, the biodegradability of implantable sensors is still in its infancy compared to conventional non-biodegradable ones. Sensor design, morphology, fabrication, power, electronics, and data transmission all play a pivotal role in developing medically approved implantable biodegradable biosensors. Advanced material science and nanotechnology extended the capacity of different research groups to implement novel courses of action to design implantable and biodegradable sensor components. But the actualization of such potential for the transformative nature of the health sector, in the first place, will have to surmount the challenges related to biofouling, managing power, guaranteeing data security, and meeting today's rules and regulations. Solving these problems will, therefore, not only enhance the performance and reliability of implantable biodegradable biosensors but also facilitate the translation of laboratory development into clinics, serving patients worldwide in their better disease management and personalized therapeutic interventions.

Multi-node wearable optical sensor based on microfiber Bragg gratings

Flexibly wearable sensors are widely applied in health monitoring and personalized therapy. Multiple-node sensing is essential for mastering the health condition holistically. In this work, we report a multi-node wearable optical sensor (MNWOS) based on the cascade of microfiber Bragg gratings (µFBG), which features the reflective operation mode and ultra-compact size, facilitating the functional integration in a flexible substrate pad. The MNWOS can realize multipoint monitoring on physical variables, such as temperature and pressure, in both static and dynamic modes. Furthermore, the eccentric package configuration endows the MNWOS with the discernibility of bending direction in addition to the bending angle sensing. The multi-parameter sensing is realized by solving the sensing matrix that represents different sensitivity regarding the bending and temperature between FBGs. The MNWOS offers great prospect for the development of human-machine interfaces and medical and health detection.

Peak patellar tendon force progressions during heavy load single-leg squats on level ground and decline board

BACKGROUND

Progressive tendon loading programs for patellar tendinopathy typically include single-leg squats with heavy weights either on level ground or on a decline board. Changes in patellar tendon force due to variations of the heavy load single-leg squat have not yet been objectively quantified. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the mass of an external weight and the use of a decline board on the peak patellar tendon force during a heavy load single-leg squat.

METHODS

Twelve healthy participants performed single-leg back squats on a decline board and level ground at 70%, 80% and 90% of their one repetition maximum. Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were measured and the peak patellar tendon force was calculated using musculoskeletal modelling. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA determined the main effects for the mass of the external weights and the use of a decline board as well as their interaction effect.

FINDINGS

Peak patellar tendon forces were significantly higher on the decline board compared to level ground (p < 0.05). Neither on the decline board, nor on level ground did the peak patellar tendon force increase significantly when increasing the external weights (p > 0.05).

INTERPRETATION

Progression in peak patellar tendon forces during a heavy load single-leg squat can only be obtained with a decline board. Increasing the mass of the external weight from 70% to 90% of the one repetition maximum does not result in a progressively higher peak patellar tendon force.

Interfragmentary strain measurement post-fixation to guide intraoperative decision making: a narrative review

PURPOSE

Interfragmentary strain influences whether a fracture will undergo direct and indirect fracture healing. Orthopedic trauma surgeons modulate strain and create optimal biomechanical environments for specific fracture patterns using fixation constructs. However, objective intraoperative interfragmentary strain measurement does not currently inform fixation strategy in common practice. This review identifies potential methods and technologies to enable intraoperative strain measurement for guiding optimal fracture fixation strategies.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were methodologically queried for manuscripts containing terms related to "bone fracture," "strain," "measurement," and "intraoperative." Manuscripts were systematically screened for relevance and adjudicated by three reviewers. Relevant articles describing methods to measure interfragmentary strain intraoperatively were summarized.

RESULTS

After removing duplicates, 1404 records were screened initially. There were 49 manuscripts meeting criteria for in-depth review. Of these, four reports were included in this study that described methods applicable to measuring interfragmentary strain intraoperatively. Two of these reports described a method using instrumented staples, one described optical tracking of Kirschner wires, and one described using a digital linear variable displacement transducer with a custom external fixator.

CONCLUSION

The four reports identified by this review describe potential methods to quantify interfragmentary strain after fixation. However, further studies are needed to confirm the precision and accuracy of these measurements across a range of fractures and fixation methods. Additionally, described methods require the insertion and likely removal of additional implants into the bone. Ideally, innovations that measure interfragmentary strain intraoperatively would provide dynamic biomechanical feedback for the surgeon to proactively modulate construct stability.

Skin-like and highly elastic optical fiber strain sensor based on a knot-bend shape for human motion monitoring

A simply designed, highly sensitive, stretchable, compact wearable, and skin-like optical fiber sensing instrument is designed and demonstrated for joint motion monitoring. The fiber sensing scheme comprises only a section of single-mode fiber (SMF) deformed in the knot-like configuration, which performs as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on a modal coupling mechanism between the core and cladding modes of the deformed SMF section. This proposed optical fiber sensor based on a knot-like configuration is mounted onto wearable woven fabric and then garments on the limbs of a healthy human's body. As the flexion angle of the human limb is varied, the interference fringe coding based on the spectral shift difference of the periodical transmission spectra is perceived. The proposed wearable optical fiber sensor exhibits excellent sensitivities from around -0.431 to -0.614n m/∘ realized for elbow and knee joint flexion between a range of motion around 0°-90°. Additionally, this sensor also displays high repeatability and stability and a fast response time of 1.4 ms, combined with a small standard deviation of about 2.585%. The proposed sensor device possesses manufacturing simplicity, high processing accuracy, lightness, and elasticity, as well as certain improvements over other goniometers and optical fiber sensors. These attributes of the proposed sensor prove its applicability for human joint angle monitoring.

Optical fiber strain sensor with high and tunable sensitivity

We demonstrate a fiber-optic strain sensor with high and tunable sensitivity by constructing a Fabry-Perot interferometer with tunable stretching length. By improving the ratio of stretching length to interference length for the proposed sensor, the measured strain sensitivity is up to 1932 pm/με, which is an order of magnitude higher than the maximum value of reported fiber-optic strain sensors so far. The sensitivity for a prepared sensor could be also tuned conveniently by changing the stretching length, and experimental results show that the sensitivity could be tuned from 1932 to 978 pm/με by reducing the stretching length from 12 to 6 mm. Furthermore, the proposed device is economical, straightforward, robust, and reproducible. The advantages make the proposed device promising in practical applications.

Biomechanical stress analysis using thermography: A review

Biomechanics investigators are interested in experimentally measuring stresses experienced by dental structures, whole bones, joint replacements, soft tissues, normal limbs, etc. To do so, various experimental methods have been used that are based on acoustic, optical, piezo-resistive, or other principles, like digital image correlation, fiber optic sensors, photo-elasticity, strain gages, ultrasound, etc. Several biomechanical review papers have surveyed these research technologies, but they do not mention thermography. Thermography can identify temperature anomalies indicating low- or high-stress areas on a bone, implant, prosthesis, etc., which may need to be repaired, replaced, or redesigned to avoid damage, degradation, or failure. In addition, thermography can accurately predict a structure's cyclic fatigue strength. Consequently, this article gives an up-to-date survey of the scientific literature on thermography for biomechanical stress analysis. This review (i) describes the basic physics of thermography, thermo-elastic properties of biomaterials, experimental protocols for thermography, advantages, and disadvantages, (ii) surveys published studies on various applications that used thermography for biomechanical stress measurements, and (iii) discusses general findings and future work. This article is intended to inform biomechanics investigators about the potential of thermography for stress analysis.

Experimental Methods for Studying the Contact Mechanics of Joints

Biomechanics researchers often experimentally measure static or fluctuating dynamic contact forces, areas, and stresses at the interface of natural and artificial joints, including the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. This information helps explain joint contact mechanics, as well as mechanisms that may contribute to disease, damage, and degradation. Currently, the most common in vitro experimental technique involves a thin pressure-sensitive film inserted into the joint space; but, the film's finite thickness disturbs the joint's ordinary articulation. Similarly, the most common in vivo experimental technique uses video recording of 3D limb motion combined with dynamic analysis of a 3D link-segment model to calculate joint contact force, but this does not provide joint contact area or stress distribution. Moreover, many researchers may be unaware of older or newer alternative techniques that may be more suitable for their particular research application. Thus, this article surveys over 50 years of English-language scientific literature in order to (a) describe the basic working principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each technique, (b) examine the trends among the studies and methods, and (c) make recommendations for future directions. This article will hopefully inform biomechanics investigators about various in vitro and in vivo experimental methods for studying the contact mechanics of joints.

Fiber-Optic-Based System for High-Resolution Monitoring of Stretch in Excised Tissues

Cardiovascular diseases cause a high number of deaths nowadays. To improve these statistics, new strategies to better understand the electrical and mechanical abnormalities underlying them are urgently required. This study focuses on the development of a sensor to measure tissue stretch in excised tissues, enabling improved knowledge of biomechanical properties and allowing greater control in real time. A system made of biocompatible materials is described, which is based on two cantilevered platforms that integrate an optical fiber inside them to quantify the amount of stretch the tissues are exposed to with a precision of μm. The operating principle of the sensor is based on the variation of the optical path with the movement of the platforms onto which the samples are fixed. The conducted tests highlight that this system, based on a simple topology and technology, is capable of achieving the desired purpose (a resolution of ∼1 μm), enabling the tissue to be bathed in any medium within the system.

Monitoring the Opening of Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE) in a 3D-Printed Skull Model Using Fiber Optic F-P Sensors

We present a novel method for the online measurement of multi-point opening distances of midpalatal sutures during a rapid palatal expansion (RPE) using fiber optic Fabry-Perot (F-P) sensors. The sensor consists of an optical fiber with a cut flat end face and an optical reflector, which are implanted into the palatal base structure of an expander and is capable of measuring the precise distance between two optical reflective surfaces. As a demonstration, a 3D-printed skull model containing the maxilla and zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) was produced and a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander (MARPE) with two guide rods was used to generate the midpalatal suture expansion. The reflected spectrums of the sensors were used to dynamically extract cavity length information for full process monitoring of expansion. The dynamic opening of the midpalatal suture during the gradual activation of the expander was measured, and a displacement resolution of 2.5 μm was demonstrated. The angle of expansion was derived and the results suggested that the midpalatal suture was opened with a slight V-type expansion of 0.03 rad at the first loading and subsequently expanded in parallel. This finding might be useful for understanding the mechanical mechanisms that lead to different types of expansion. The use of a fiber optic sensor for mounting the rapid palatal expander facilitates biomechanical studies and experimental and clinical evaluation of the effects of RPE.

Wearable cardiorespiratory monitoring with stretchable elastomer optical fiber

This work presents a stretchable elastomer optical fiber sensor incorporated into a belt for respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) monitoring. Different materials and shapes of prototypes designed were tested in terms of performance and the best choice was identified. The optimal sensor was tested by 10 volunteers to evaluate the performance. The proposed elastomer optical fiber sensor can achieve simultaneous measurement of RR and HR in different body positions, and also ballistocardiography (BCG) signal measurement in the lying position. The sensor has good accuracy and stability, with maximum errors of 1 bpm and 3 bpm for RR and HR, respectively, and average weighted mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 5.25% and root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.28 bpm. Moreover, the results of the Bland-Altman method showed good agreement of the sensor with manual counting of RR and with electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements of HR.

Lower Limb Exoskeleton Sensors: State-of-the-Art

Due to the ever-increasing proportion of older people in the total population and the growing awareness of the importance of protecting workers against physical overload during long-time hard work, the idea of supporting exoskeletons progressed from high-tech fiction to almost commercialized products within the last six decades. Sensors, as part of the perception layer, play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality of exoskeletons by providing as accurate real-time data as possible to generate reliable input data for the control layer. The result of the processed sensor data is the information about current limb position, movement intension, and needed support. With the help of this review article, we want to clarify which criteria for sensors used in exoskeletons are important and how standard sensor types, such as kinematic and kinetic sensors, are used in lower limb exoskeletons. We also want to outline the possibilities and limitations of special medical signal sensors detecting, e.g., brain or muscle signals to improve data perception at the human-machine interface. A topic-based literature and product research was done to gain the best possible overview of the newest developments, research results, and products in the field. The paper provides an extensive overview of sensor criteria that need to be considered for the use of sensors in exoskeletons, as well as a collection of sensors and their placement used in current exoskeleton products. Additionally, the article points out several types of sensors detecting physiological or environmental signals that might be beneficial for future exoskeleton developments.

Investigation of High-Resolution Distributed Fiber Sensing System Embedded in Flexible Silicone Carpet for 2D Pressure Mapping

Fiber-optic sensors are a powerful tool to investigate physical properties like temperature, strain, and pressure. Such properties make these sensors interesting for many applications including biomedical applications. Fiber sensors are also a great platform for distributed sensing by using the principles of optical frequency domain reflectometry. Distributed sensing is becoming more and more used to achieve high-resolution measurements and to map physical properties of biomaterials at small scale, thus obtaining 2D and 3D mapping of a particular area of interest. This work aims at building and investigating a 2D sensing carpet based on a distributed fiber sensing technique, to map local pressure applied to the carpet. The two-dimensional mapping is obtained by embedding a single-mode optical fiber inside a soft silicone carpet. The fiber has been bent and arranged in a specific configuration characterized by several parallel lines. Different fiber fixation methods have been investigated by means of a comparative analysis to perform better characterization and to achieve a more precise response of the carpet. The best pressure sensitivity coefficient (0.373 pm/kPa or considering our setup 1.165 nm/kg) was detected when the fiber was fully embedded inside the silicone carpet. This paper demonstrates the possibility of mapping a 2D distributed pressure over a surface with a resolution of 2 mm by 2 mm. The surface of investigation is 2 cm by 6 cm, containing 310 sensing points. The sensing carpet has been validated selecting several preferential positions, by testing the consistency of the results over different portions of the carpet.

Optical fiber sensor based on upconversion luminescence for synchronous temperature and curvature sensing

A multifunctional optical fiber sensor based upconversion luminescence (UCL) for synchronous temperature and curvature sensing was proposed. The sensor was fabricated by assembling UCL nanoparticles doped by rare earth (RE) ions in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials. Temperature measurements were achieved through the fluorescent intensity ratio (FIR) technique with the dual green UC luminescence generated. The fabricated sensor provided the temperature sensitivity of 714.82 K-1 with excellent linearity (R2=0.997) at a temperature range of 303 to 423 K. In the lower temperature region, temperature measurement based on the FIR technology is almost independent on the fluorescence intensity of a 525 nm emission peak. Hence, deformation produced by the sensor through bending results in detectable and reversible changes in its reflected light, allowing the curvature to be simultaneously measured. The sensor can monitor temperature and curvature simultaneously, providing a new optical alternative for multi-parameters monitoring in the future.

Multimode optical fiber specklegram smart bed sensor array

SIGNIFICANCE

Monitoring the movement and vital signs of patients in hospitals and other healthcare environments is a significant burden on healthcare staff. Early warning systems using smart bed sensors hold promise to relieve this burden and improve patient outcomes. We propose a scalable and cost-effective optical fiber sensor array that can be embedded into a mattress to detect movement, both sensitively and spatially.

AIM

Proof-of-concept demonstration that a multimode optical fiber (MMF) specklegram sensor array can be used to detect and image movement on a bed.

APPROACH

Seven MMFs are attached to the upper surface of a mattress such that they cross in a 3  ×  4 array. The specklegram output is monitored using a single laser and single camera and movement on the fibers is monitored by calculating a rolling zero-normalized cross-correlation. A 3  ×  4 image is formed by comparing the signal at each crossing point between two fibers.

RESULTS

The MMF sensor array can detect and image movement on a bed, including getting on and off the bed, rolling on the bed, and breathing.

CONCLUSIONS

The sensor array shows a high sensitivity to movement, which can be used for monitoring physiological parameters and patient movement for potential applications in healthcare settings.

Multi-Output Sequential Deep Learning Model for Athlete Force Prediction on a Treadmill Using 3D Markers

Reliable and innovative methods for estimating forces are critical aspects of biomechanical sports research. Using them, athletes can improve their performance and technique and reduce the possibility of fractures and other injuries. For this purpose, throughout this project, we proceeded to research the use of video in biomechanics. To refine this method, we propose an RNN trained on a biomechanical dataset of regular runners that measures both kinematics and kinetics. The model will allow analyzing, extracting, and drawing conclusions about continuous variable predictions through the body. It marks different anatomical and reflective points (96 in total, 32 per dimension) that will allow the prediction of forces (N) in three dimensions (Fx, Fy, Fz), measured on a treadmill with a force plate at different velocities (2.5 m/s, 3.5 m/s, 4.5 m/s). In order to obtain the best model, a grid search of different parameters that combined various types of layers (Simple, GRU, LSTM), loss functions (MAE, MSE, MSLE), and sampling techniques (down-sampling, up-sampling) helped obtain the best performing model (LSTM, MSE, down-sampling) achieved an average coefficient of determination of 0.68, although when excluding Fz it reached 0.92.

AI Prediction of Brain Signals for Human Gait Using BCI Device and FBG Based Sensorial Platform for Plantar Pressure Measurements

Artificial intelligence (AI) in developing modern solutions for biomedical problems such as the prediction of human gait for human rehabilitation is gaining ground. An attempt was made to use plantar pressure information through fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors mounted on an in-sole, in tandem with a brain-computer interface (BCI) device to predict brain signals corresponding to sitting, standing and walking postures of a person. Posture classification was attained with an accuracy range between 87–93% from FBG and BCI signals using machine learning models such as K-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and naïve Bayes (NB). These models were used to identify electrodes responding to sitting, standing and walking activities of four users from a 16 channel BCI device. Six electrode positions based on the 10–20 system for electroencephalography (EEG) were identified as the most sensitive to plantar activities and found to be consistent with clinical investigations of the sensorimotor cortex during foot movement. A prediction of brain EEG corresponding to given FBG data with lowest mean square error (MSE) values (0.065–0.109) was made with the selection of a long-short term memory (LSTM) machine learning model when compared to the recurrent neural network (RNN) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) models.

Metrological Characterization of a High-Temperature Hybrid Sensor Using Thermal Radiation and Calibrated Sapphire Fiber Bragg Grating for Process Monitoring in Harsh Environments

Fiber Bragg gratings inscribed in single crystalline multimode sapphire fibers (S-FBG) are suitable for monitoring applications in harsh environments up to 1900 °C. Despite many approaches to optimize the S-FBG sensor, a metrological investigation of the achievable temperature uncertainties is still missing. In this paper, we developed a hybrid optical temperature sensor using S-FBG and thermal radiation signals. In addition, the sensor also includes a thermocouple for reference and process control during a field test. We analyzed the influence of the thermal gradient and hotspot position along the sensor for all three detection methods using an industrial draw tower and fixed point cells. Moreover, the signal processing of the reflected S-FBG spectrum was investigated and enhanced to determine the reachable measurement repeatability and uncertainty. For that purpose, we developed an analytical expression for the long-wavelength edge of the peak. Our findings show a higher stability against mechanical-caused mode variations for this method to measure the wavelength shift compared to established methods. Additionally, our approach offers a high robustness against aging effects caused by high-temperature processes (above 1700 °C) or harsh environments. Using temperature-fixed points, directly traceable to the International System of Units, we calibrated the S-FBG and thermocouple of the hybrid sensor, including the corresponding uncertainty budgets. Within the scope of an over 3-weeks-long field trial, 25 production cycles of an industrial silicon manufacturing process with temperatures up to 1600 °C were monitored with over 100,000 single measurements. The absolute calibrated thermocouple (Uk=2≈1K…4K) and S-FBG (Uk=2≈10K…14K) measurements agreed within their combined uncertainty. We also discuss possible strategies to significantly reduce the uncertainty of the S-FBG calibration. A follow-up measurement of the sensor after the long-term operation at high temperatures and the transport of the measuring system together with the sensor resulted in a change of less than 0.5 K. Thus, both the presented hybrid sensor and the measuring principle are very robust for applications in harsh environments.

Miniaturized optical fiber probe for prostate cancer screening

Tissue elasticity is universally recognized as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer. As the first diagnostic test, the digital rectal examination is used since malignancy changes the prostate morphology and affects its mechanical properties. Currently, this examination is performed manually by the physician, with an unsatisfactory positive predictive value of 42%. A more objective and spatially selective technique is expected to provide a better prediction degree and understanding of the disease. To this aim, here we propose a miniaturized probe, based on optical fiber sensor technology, for mechanical characterization of the prostate with sub-millimeter resolution. Specifically, the optical system incorporates a customized Fiber Bragg Grating, judiciously integrated in a metallic cannula and moved by a robotic arm. The probe enables the local measurement of the force upon tissue indentation with a resolution of 0.97 mN. The system has been developed in such a way to be potentially used directly in vivo. Measurements performed on phantom tissues mimicking different stages of the prostatic carcinoma demonstrated the capability of our device to distinguish healthy from diseased zones of the prostate. The study on phantoms has been complemented with preliminary ex vivo experiments on real organs obtained from radical surgeries. Our findings lay the foundation for the development of advanced optical probes that, when integrated inside biopsy needle, are able to perform in vivo direct mechanical measurements with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, opening to new scenarios for early diagnosis and enhanced diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer.

Soft and Stretchable Optical Waveguide: Light Delivery and Manipulation at Complex Biointerfaces Creating Unique Windows for On-Body Sensing

Over the past few decades, optical waveguides have been increasingly used in wearable/implantable devices for on-body sensing. However, conventional optical waveguides are stiff, rigid, and brittle. A mismatch between conventional optical waveguides and complex biointerfaces makes wearable/implantable devices uncomfortable to wear and potentially unsafe. Soft and stretchable polymer optical waveguides not only inherit many advantages of conventional optical waveguides (e.g., immunity to electromagnetic interference and without electrical hazards) but also provide a new perspective for solving the mismatch between conventional optical waveguides and complex biointerfaces, which is essential for the development of light-based wearable/implantable sensors. In this review, polymer optical waveguides' unique properties, including flexibility, biocompatibility and biodegradability, porosity, and stimulus responsiveness, and their applications in the wearable/implantable field in recent years are summarized. Then, we briefly discuss the current challenges of high optical loss, unstable signal transmission, low manufacturing efficiency, and difficulty in deployment during implantation of flexible polymer optical waveguides, and propose some possible solutions to these problems.

Biomedical optical fibers

Optical fibers with the ability to propagate and transfer data via optical signals have been used for decades in medicine. Biomaterials featuring the properties of softness, biocompatibility, and biodegradability enable the introduction of optical fibers' uses in biomedical engineering applications such as medical implants and health monitoring systems. Here, we review the emerging medical and health-field applications of optical fibers, illustrating the new wave for the fabrication of implantable devices, wearable sensors, and photodetection and therapy setups. A glimpse of fabrication methods is also provided, with the introduction of 3D printing as an emerging fabrication technology. The use of artificial intelligence for solving issues such as data analysis and outcome prediction is also discussed, paving the way for the new optical treatments for human health.

Fiber Optic Sensors for Vital Signs Monitoring. A Review of Its Practicality in the Health Field

Vital signs not only reflect essential functions of the human body but also symptoms of a more serious problem within the anatomy; they are well used for physical monitoring, caloric expenditure, and performance before a possible symptom of a massive failure-a great variety of possibilities that together form a first line of basic diagnosis and follow-up on the health and general condition of a person. This review includes a brief theory about fiber optic sensors' operation and summarizes many research works carried out with them in which their operation and effectiveness are promoted to register some vital sign(s) as a possibility for their use in the medical, health care, and life support fields. The review presents methods and techniques to improve sensitivity in monitoring vital signs, such as the use of doping agents or coatings for optical fiber (OF) that provide stability and resistance to the external factors from which they must be protected in in vivo situations. It has been observed that most of these sensors work with single-mode optical fibers (SMF) in a spectral range of 1550 nm, while only some work in the visible spectrum (Vis); the vast majority, operate through fiber Bragg gratings (FBG), long-period fiber gratings (LPFG), and interferometers. These sensors have brought great advances to the measurement of vital signs, especially with regard to respiratory rate; however, many express the possibility of monitoring other vital signs through mathematical calculations, algorithms, or auxiliary devices. Their advantages due to miniaturization, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the absence of a power source makes them truly desirable for everyday use at all times.

Monitoring and Synchronization of Cardiac and Respiratory Traces in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review

Synchronization of human vital signs, namely the cardiac cycle and respiratory excursions, is necessary during magnetic resonance imaging of the cardiovascular system and the abdominal cavity to achieve optimal image quality with minimized artifacts. This review summarizes techniques currently available in clinical practice, as well as methods under development, outlines the benefits and disadvantages of each approach, and offers some unique solutions for consideration.

Fit to Burst: Toward Noninvasive Estimation of Achilles Tendon Load Using Burst Vibrations

OBJECTIVE

Tendons are essential components of the musculoskeletal system and, as with any mechanical structure, can fail under load. Tendon injuries are common and can be debilitating, and research suggests that a better understanding of their loading conditions could help mitigate injury risk and improve rehabilitation. To that end, we present a novel method of noninvasively assessing parameters related to mechanical load in the Achilles tendon using burst vibrations.

METHODS

These vibrations, produced by a small vibration motor on the skin superficial to the tendon, are sensed by a skin-mounted accelerometer, which measures the tendon's response to burst excitation under varying tensile load. In this study, twelve healthy subjects performed a variety of everyday tasks designed to expose the Achilles tendon to a range of loading conditions. To approximate the vibration motor-tendon system and provide an explanation for observed changes in tendon response, a 2-degree-of-freedom mechanical systems model was developed.

RESULTS

Reliable, characteristic changes in the burst response profile as a function of Achilles tendon tension were observed during all loading tasks. Using a machine learning-based approach, we developed a regression model capable of accurately estimating net ankle moment-which captures general trends in tendon tension-across a range of walking speeds and across subjects (R² = 0.85). Simulated results of the mechanical model accurately recreated behaviors observed in vivo. Finally, preliminary, proof-of-concept results from a fully wearable system demonstrated trends similar to those observed in experiments conducted using benchtop equipment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that an untethered, unobtrusive system can effectively assess tendon loading during activities of daily life.

SIGNIFICANCE

Access to such a system would have broad implications for injury recovery and prevention, athletic training, and the study of human movement.

Signal Feature Analysis of Contact Force at the Tip of a Flexible Ureteroscope

This paper presents a signal analysis approach to identify the contact objects at the tip of a flexible ureteroscope. First, a miniature triaxial fiber optic sensor based on Fiber Bragg Grating(FBG) is devised to measure the interactive force signals at the ureteroscope tip. Due to the multidimensional properties of these force signals, the principal components analysis(PCA) method is introduced to reduce dimensions. The signal features are then extracted from the representative principal component signals using the wavelet transform(WT) method. Experimental results show that the contact objects at the tip of a ureteroscope are readily discriminated from the measured force signals with the proposed approach.Clinical Relevance-This work commits to analyze the contact force signals at the tip of a flexible ureteroscope for the purpose of contact objects identification.

Techniques for In Vivo Measurement of Ligament and Tendon Strain: A Review

The critical clinical and scientific insights achieved through knowledge of in vivo musculoskeletal soft tissue strains has motivated the development of relevant measurement techniques. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the key findings, limitations, and clinical impacts of these techniques to quantify musculoskeletal soft tissue strains during dynamic movements. Current technologies generally leverage three techniques to quantify in vivo strain patterns, including implantable strain sensors, virtual fibre elongation, and ultrasound. (1) Implantable strain sensors enable direct measurements of tissue strains with high accuracy and minimal artefact, but are highly invasive and current designs are not clinically viable. (2) The virtual fibre elongation method tracks the relative displacement of tissue attachments to measure strains in both deep and superficial tissues. However, the associated imaging techniques often require exposure to radiation, limit the activities that can be performed, and only quantify bone-to-bone tissue strains. (3) Ultrasound methods enable safe and non-invasive imaging of soft tissue deformation. However, ultrasound can only image superficial tissues, and measurements are confounded by out-of-plane tissue motion. Finally, all in vivo strain measurement methods are limited in their ability to establish the slack length of musculoskeletal soft tissue structures. Despite the many challenges and limitations of these measurement techniques, knowledge of in vivo soft tissue strain has led to improved clinical treatments for many musculoskeletal pathologies including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Achilles tendon repair, and total knee replacement. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of these measurement techniques and identifies the key features of in vivo strain measurement that can facilitate innovative personalized sports medicine treatment.

A multifunctional skin-like wearable optical sensor based on an optical micro-/nanofibre

Multifunctional skin-like sensors play an important role in next-generation healthcare, robotics, and bioelectronics. Here, we report a skin-like wearable optical sensor (SLWOS) enabled by a stretchable, flexible, and attachable patch embedded with an optical micro-/nanofibre (MNF), which is highly compatible with human skin, a curved surface, or cloth. Based on the transition from radiation modes into guided modes around the bending area of the MNF, the SLWOS embedded with a wavy MNF is highly sensitive to weak strain, achieving a gauge factor as large as 675 (strain <1%). The flexible SLWOS is also capable of monitoring the bending angle in a broad dynamic range with tunable sensitivity. In addition, temperature measurements in the range of -20 to 130 °C are realized by taking advantage of PDMS's large negative thermo-optic coefficient. The superior sensing performance together with mechanical flexibility enables the real-time monitoring of respiration, arm motion, and body temperature. This SLWOS will have great potential in wearable optical devices ranging from ultrasensitive sensors to photonic healthcare devices.

Application of Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors in Strain Monitoring and Fracture Recovery of Human Femur Bone

Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are gaining popularity in biomedical engineering. However, specific standards for in vivo testing for their use are absolutely limited. In this study, in vitro experimental tests were performed to investigate the behaviors and applications of gratings attached to intact and fractured thighbone for a range of compression loading (<300 N) based around some usual daily activities. The wavelength shifts and the corresponding strain sensitivities of the FBG sensors were measured to determine their effectiveness in monitoring the femoral fracture healing process. Four different arrangements of FBG sensors were selected to measure strains at different critical locations on the femoral sawbones surface. Data obtained for intact and plated sawbones were compared using both embedded longitudinal and coiled FBG arrays. Strains were measured close to the fracture, posterior linea aspera and popliteal surface areas, as well as at the proximal and distal ends of the synthetic femur; their responses are discussed herein. The gratings on the longitudinally secured FBG arrays were found to provide high levels of sensitivity and precise measurements, even for relatively small loads (<100 N). Nevertheless, embedding angled FBG sensors is essential to measure the strain generated by applied torque on the femur bone. The maximum recorded strain of the plated femur was 503.97 µε for longitudinal and -274.97 µε for coiled FBG arrays, respectively. These project results are important to configure effective arrangements and orientations of FBG sensors with respect to fracture position and fixation implant for future in vivo experiments.

Stretchable and Highly Sensitive Optical Strain Sensors for Human-Activity Monitoring and Healthcare

Flexible and stretchable strain sensors are essential to developing smart wearable devices for monitoring human activities. Such sensors have been extensively exploited with various conductive materials and structures, which, however, are normally in need of complex manufacturing processes and confronted with the challenge to achieve both large stretchability and high sensitivity. Here, we report a simple and low-cost optical strategy for the design of stretchable strain sensors which are capable of measuring large strains of 100% with a low detection limit (±0.09%), a fast responsivity (<12 ms), and high reproducibility (over 6000 cycles). The optical strain sensor (OS²) is fabricated by assembling plasmonic gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in stretchable elastomer-based optical fibers, where a core/cladding structure with step-index configuration is adopted for light confinement. The stretchable, GNP-incorporated optical fiber shows strong localized surface plasmon resonance effects that enable sensitive and reversible detection of strain deformations with high linearity and negligible hysteresis. The unique mechanical and sensing properties of the OS² enable its assembling into clothing or mounting on skin surfaces for monitoring various human activities from physiological signals as subtle as wrist pulses to large motions of joint bending and hand gestures. We further apply the OS² for quantitative analysis of motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease and demonstrate its compatibility in strong electromagnetic interference environments during functional magnetic resonance imaging, showing great promises for diagnostics and assessments of motor neuron diseases in clinics.

Spatio-temporal deep learning models for tip force estimation during needle insertion

PURPOSE

Precise placement of needles is a challenge in a number of clinical applications such as brachytherapy or biopsy. Forces acting at the needle cause tissue deformation and needle deflection which in turn may lead to misplacement or injury. Hence, a number of approaches to estimate the forces at the needle have been proposed. Yet, integrating sensors into the needle tip is challenging and a careful calibration is required to obtain good force estimates.

METHODS

We describe a fiber-optic needle tip force sensor design using a single OCT fiber for measurement. The fiber images the deformation of an epoxy layer placed below the needle tip which results in a stream of 1D depth profiles. We study different deep learning approaches to facilitate calibration between this spatio-temporal image data and the related forces. In particular, we propose a novel convGRU-CNN architecture for simultaneous spatial and temporal data processing.

RESULTS

The needle can be adapted to different operating ranges by changing the stiffness of the epoxy layer. Likewise, calibration can be adapted by training the deep learning models. Our novel convGRU-CNN architecture results in the lowest mean absolute error of [Formula: see text] and a cross-correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and clearly outperforms the other methods. Ex vivo experiments in human prostate tissue demonstrate the needle's application.

CONCLUSIONS

Our OCT-based fiber-optic sensor presents a viable alternative for needle tip force estimation. The results indicate that the rich spatio-temporal information included in the stream of images showing the deformation throughout the epoxy layer can be effectively used by deep learning models. Particularly, we demonstrate that the convGRU-CNN architecture performs favorably, making it a promising approach for other spatio-temporal learning problems.

Soft and Stretchable Polymeric Optical Waveguide-Based Sensors for Wearable and Biomedical Applications

The past decades have witnessed the rapid development in soft, stretchable, and biocompatible devices for applications in biomedical monitoring, personal healthcare, and human-machine interfaces. In particular, the design of soft devices in optics has attracted tremendous interests attributed to their distinct advantages such as inherent electrical safety, high stability in long-term operation, potential to be miniaturized, and free of electromagnetic interferences. As the alternatives to conventional rigid optical waveguides, considerable efforts have been made to develop light-guiding devices by using various transparent and elastic polymers, which offer desired physiomechanical properties and enable wearable/implantable applications in optical sensing, diagnostics, and therapy. Here, we review recent progress in soft and stretchable optical waveguides and sensors, including advanced structural design, fabrication strategies, and functionalities. Furthermore, the potential applications of those optical devices for various wearable and biomedical applications are discussed. It is expected that the newly emerged soft and stretchable optical technologies will provide a safe and reliable alternative to next-generation, smart wearables and healthcare devices.

Wireless, Portable Fiber Bragg Grating Interrogation System Employing Optical Edge Filter

A small-size, high-precision fiber Bragg grating interrogator was developed for continuous plethysmograph monitoring. The interrogator employs optical edge filters, which were integrated with a broad-band light source and photodetector to demodulate the Bragg wavelength shift. An amplifier circuit was designed to effectively amplify the plethysmograph signal, obtained as a small vibration of optical power on the large offset. The standard deviation of the measured Bragg wavelength was about 0.1 pm. The developed edge filter module and amplifier circuit were encased with a single-board computer and communicated with a laptop computer via Wi-Fi. As a result, the plethysmograph was clearly obtained remotely, indicating the possibility of continuous vital sign measurement.

Optical fiber technology enables smart needles for epidurals: an in-vivo swine study

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.

Vital Sign Monitoring and Cardiac Triggering at 1.5 Tesla: A Practical Solution by an MR-Ballistocardiography Fiber-Optic Sensor

This article presents a solution for continuous monitoring of both respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) inside Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environments by a novel ballistocardiography (BCG) fiber-optic sensor. We designed and created a sensor based on the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) probe encapsulated inside fiberglass (fiberglass is a composite material made up of glass fiber, fabric, and cured synthetic resin). Due to this, the encapsulation sensor is characterized by very small dimensions (30 × 10 × 0.8 mm) and low weight (2 g). We present original results of real MRI measurements (conventionally most used 1.5 T MR scanner) involving ten volunteers (six men and four women) by performing conventional electrocardiography (ECG) to measure the HR and using a Pneumatic Respiratory Transducer (PRT) for RR monitoring. The acquired sensor data were compared against real measurements using the objective Bland⁻Altman method, and the functionality of the sensor was validated (95.36% of the sensed values were within the ±1.96 SD range for the RR determination and 95.13% of the values were within the ±1.96 SD range for the HR determination) by this means. The accuracy of this sensor was further characterized by a relative error below 5% (4.64% for RR and 4.87% for HR measurements). The tests carried out in an MRI environment demonstrated that the presence of the FBG sensor in the MRI scanner does not affect the quality of this imaging modality. The results also confirmed the possibility of using the sensor for cardiac triggering at 1.5 T (for synchronization and gating of cardiovascular magnetic resonance) and for cardiac triggering when a Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) is used.

Quasi-Distributed Active-Mode-Locking Laser Interrogation with Multiple Partially Reflecting Segment Sensors

A new type of quasi-distributed sensor system is implemented using an active mode locking (AML) laser cavity with multiple partially reflecting segments. The mode locking frequency of the AML laser is linearly proportional to the overall lasing cavity length. To implement multiple resonators having multiple reflection points installed in a sensing fiber, two types of partial reflectors (PRs) are implemented for an in-line configuration, one with fiber Bragg grating and the other with a fiber Fabry–Perot interferometer. Since the laser has oscillated only when the modulation frequencies for the mode locking frequency match with the corresponding resonator lengths, it is possible to read the multiple partially reflecting segments along the sensing fiber. The difference between two corresponding mode locking frequencies is changing proportionally with the segment length variation between two PRs upon strain application. The segment length change caused by the applied strain can be successfully measured with a linear sensitivity between mode locking frequency and displacement, linearity over 0.99, and spatial position resolution below meter order.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatible Non-Invasive Fibre-Optic Sensors Based on the Bragg Gratings and Interferometers in the Application of Monitoring Heart and Respiration Rate of the Human Body: A Comparative Study

The publication presents a comparative study of two fibre-optic sensors in the application of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) monitoring of the human body. After consultation with clinical practitioners, two types of non-invasive measuring and analysis systems based on fibre Bragg grating (FBG) and fibre-optic interferometer (FOI) have been designed and assembled. These systems use probes (both patent pending) that have been encapsulated in the bio-compatible polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS). The main advantage of PDMS is that it is electrically non-conductive and, as well as optical fibres, has low permeability. The initial verification measurement of the system designed was performed on four subjects in a harsh magnetic resonance (MR) environment under the supervision of a senior radiology assistant. A follow-up comparative study was conducted, upon a consent of twenty volunteers, in a laboratory environment with a minimum motion load and discussed with a head doctor of the Radiodiagnostic Institute. The goal of the laboratory study was to perform measurements that would simulate as closely as possible the environment of harsh MR or the environment of long-term health care facilities, hospitals and clinics. Conventional HR and RR measurement systems based on ECG measurements and changes in the thoracic circumference were used as references. The data acquired was compared by the objective Bland⁻Altman (B⁻A) method and discussed with practitioners. The results obtained confirmed the functionality of the designed probes, both in the case of RR and HR measurements (for both types of B⁻A, more than 95% of the values lie within the ±1.96 SD range), while demonstrating higher accuracy of the interferometric probe (in case of the RR determination, 95.66% for the FOI probe and 95.53% for the FBG probe, in case of the HR determination, 96.22% for the FOI probe and 95.23% for the FBG probe).

Fiber Bragg grating-based sensor for torque and angle measurement in a series elastic actuator's spring

Conventional technologies to monitor torque feedback and angle in exoskeleton actuators are bulky and sensitive to misalignments, and do not allow for multiplexed operation. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based sensors are a robust sensing approach that are desirable for multi-parametric monitoring. Temperature, strain, torque, and angle are widely studied in human-robot interaction. In order to acquire the torque and angle of deflection in the torsional spring of a series elastic actuator, an experimental setup with the spring and an array of three FBGs is submitted to repeated torques and angles. This paper presents the characterization and validation of the FBG-based sensor for measuring by torque and angle variations. Temperature cross-sensitivity is derived by the use of a non-strain FBG. The developed sensor presented high linearity and small error for torque and angle measurements.

CaZnOS:Nd3+ Emits Tissue-Penetrating near-Infrared Light upon Force Loading

Mechanoluminescent (ML) materials are mechano-optical converters that can emit light under an external mechanical stimulus. All the existing ML materials can only emit light from near ultraviolet to red, which is outside the near-infrared (NIR) windows desired for biomechanical imaging. No studies have been done on doping rare earth (RE) ions with photoluminescence (PL) in the NIR region into a compound to form a ML material that emits NIR light in response to an external force. Here, we show that doping RE ions with a NIR PL into an inorganic compound does not usually result in the formation of a NIR ML material, which can only be achieved in the combination of Nd³⁺ ions and a CaZnOS compound among the combinations we studied. The newly discovered NIR ML material (CaZnOS:Nd³⁺) is biocompatible and can efficiently convert mechanical stress into NIR light over the first and second tissue-penetrating bioimaging window. Its NIR ML emission appeared at a very low force threshold (even when the material was shaken slightly), increased sensitively and linearly with the increase in the force (up to >5 kN), and could penetrate the tissue as deep as >22 mm to enable biomechanical detection. Such a force-responsive behavior is highly reproducible. Hence, CaZnOS:Nd³⁺ is a new potential ultrasensitive biomechanical probe and expands the ML application horizons into in vivo bioimaging.

Graphene Oxide in Lossy Mode Resonance-Based Optical Fiber Sensors for Ethanol Detection

The influence of graphene oxide (GO) over the features of an optical fiber ethanol sensor based on lossy mode resonances (LMR) has been studied in this work. Four different sensors were built with this aim, each comprising a multimode optical fiber core fragment coated with a SnO₂ thin film. Layer by layer (LbL) coatings made of 1, 2 and 4 bilayers of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and graphene oxide were deposited onto three of these devices and their behavior as aqueous ethanol sensors was characterized and compared with the sensor without GO. The sensors with GO showed much better performance with a maximum sensitivity enhancement of 176% with respect to the sensor without GO. To our knowledge, this is the first time that GO has been used to make an optical fiber sensor based on LMR.

POFBG-Embedded Cork Insole for Plantar Pressure Monitoring

We propose a novel polymer optical fiber (POF) sensing system based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to measure foot plantar pressure. The plantar pressure signals are detected by five FBGs, in the same piece of cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP) fiber, which are embedded in a cork insole for the dynamic monitoring of gait. The calibration and measurements performed with the suggested system are presented, and the results obtained demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the sensing platform to monitor the foot plantar pressure distribution during gait motion and the application of pressure. This architecture does not compromise the patient's mobility nor interfere in their daily activities. The results using the CYTOP fiber showed a very good response when compared with solutions using silica optical fibers, resulting in a sensitivity almost twice as high, with excellent repeatability and ease of handling. The advantages of POF (e.g., high flexibility and robustness) proved that this is a viable solution for this type of application, since POF's high fracture toughness enables its application in monitoring patients with higher body mass compared with similar systems based on silica fiber. This study has demonstrated the viability of the proposed system based on POF technology as a useful alternative for plantar pressure detection systems.

Bite force measurement based on fiber Bragg grating sensor

The maximum level of voluntary bite force, which results from the combined action of muscle of mastication, joints, and teeth, i.e., craniomandibular structure, is considered as one of the major indicators for the functional state of the masticatory system. Measurement of voluntary bite force provides useful data for the jaw muscle function and activity along with assessment of prosthetics. This study proposes an in vivo methodology for the dynamic measurement of bite force employing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor known as bite force measurement device (BFMD). The BFMD developed is a noninvasive intraoral device, which transduces the bite force exerted at the occlusal surface into strain variations on a metal plate. These strain variations are acquired by the FBG sensor bonded over it. The BFMD developed facilitates adjustment of the distance between the biting platform, which is essential to capture the maximum voluntary bite force at three different positions of teeth, namely incisor, premolar, and molar sites. The clinically relevant bite forces are measured at incisor, molar, and premolar position and have been compared against each other. Furthermore, the bite forces measured with all subjects are segregated according to gender and also compared against each other.

Insole optical fiber Bragg grating sensors network for dynamic vertical force monitoring

In an era of unprecedented progress in technology and increase in population age, continuous and close monitoring of elder citizens and patients is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. Contributing toward this field and enhancing the life quality of elder citizens and patients with disabilities, this work presents the design and implementation of a noninvasive platform and insole fiber Bragg grating sensors network to monitor the vertical ground reaction forces distribution induced in the foot plantar surface during gait and body center of mass displacements. The acquired measurements are a reliable indication of the accuracy and consistency of the proposed solution in monitoring and mapping the vertical forces active on the foot plantar sole, with a sensitivity up to 11.06 ?? pm / N . The acquired measurements can be used to infer the foot structure and health condition, in addition to anomalies related to spine function and other pathologies (e.g., related to diabetes); also its application in rehabilitation robotics field can dramatically reduce the computational burden of exoskeletons’ control strategy. The proposed technology has the advantages of optical fiber sensing (robustness, noninvasiveness, accuracy, and electromagnetic insensitivity) to surpass all drawbacks verified in traditionally used sensing systems (fragility, instability, and inconsistent feedback).