Measurement of Pulse Wave Signals and Blood Pressure by a Plastic Optical Fiber FBG Sensor

PDMS-embedded wearable FBG sensors for gesture recognition and communication assistance

This study introduces fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone elastomer specifically engineered for recognizing intricate gestures like wrist pitch, finger bending, and mouth movement. Sensors with different PDMS patch thicknesses underwent evaluation including thermal, tensile strain, and bending deformation characterization, demonstrating a stability of at least four months. Experiments revealed the FBG sensors' accurate wrist pitch recognition across participants after calibration, confirmed by statistical metrics and Bland-Altman plots. Utilizing finger and mouth movements, the developed system shows promise in assisting post-stroke patients and individuals with disabilities, enhancing their interaction capabilities with the external surroundings.

Wearable Optical Fiber Sensors in Medical Monitoring Applications: A Review

Wearable optical fiber sensors have great potential for development in medical monitoring. With the increasing demand for compactness, comfort, accuracy, and other features in new medical monitoring devices, the development of wearable optical fiber sensors is increasingly meeting these requirements. This paper reviews the latest evolution of wearable optical fiber sensors in the medical field. Three types of wearable optical fiber sensors are analyzed: wearable optical fiber sensors based on Fiber Bragg grating, wearable optical fiber sensors based on light intensity changes, and wearable optical fiber sensors based on Fabry-Perot interferometry. The innovation of wearable optical fiber sensors in respiration and joint monitoring is introduced in detail, and the main principles of three kinds of wearable optical fiber sensors are summarized. In addition, we discuss their advantages, limitations, directions to improve accuracy and the challenges they face. We also look forward to future development prospects, such as the combination of wireless networks which will change how medical services are provided. Wearable optical fiber sensors offer a viable technology for prospective continuous medical surveillance and will change future medical benefits.

Progress in Probe-Based Sensing Techniques for In Vivo Diagnosis

Advancements in robotic surgery help to improve the endoluminal diagnosis and treatment with minimally invasive or non-invasive intervention in a precise and safe manner. Miniaturized probe-based sensors can be used to obtain information about endoluminal anatomy, and they can be integrated with medical robots to augment the convenience of robotic operations. The tremendous benefit of having this physiological information during the intervention has led to the development of a variety of in vivo sensing technologies over the past decades. In this paper, we review the probe-based sensing techniques for the in vivo physical and biochemical sensing in China in recent years, especially on in vivo force sensing, temperature sensing, optical coherence tomography/photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging, chemical sensing, and biomarker sensing.

A Comprehensive Review on the Optical Micro-Electromechanical Sensors for the Biomedical Application

This study presented an overview of current developments in optical micro-electromechanical systems in biomedical applications. Optical micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) is a particular class of MEMS technology. It combines micro-optics, mechanical elements, and electronics, called the micro-opto electromechanical system (MOEMS). Optical MEMS comprises sensing and influencing optical signals on micron-level by incorporating mechanical, electrical, and optical systems. Optical MEMS devices are widely used in inertial navigation, accelerometers, gyroscope application, and many industrial and biomedical applications. Due to its miniaturised size, insensitivity to electromagnetic interference, affordability, and lightweight characteristic, it can be easily integrated into the human body with a suitable design. This study presented a comprehensive review of 140 research articles published on photonic MEMS in biomedical applications that used the qualitative method to find the recent advancement, challenges, and issues. The paper also identified the critical success factors applied to design the optimum photonic MEMS devices in biomedical applications. With the systematic literature review approach, the results showed that the key design factors could significantly impact design, application, and future scope of work. The literature of this paper suggested that due to the flexibility, accuracy, design factors efficiency of the Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, the demand has been increasing for various photonic devices. Except for FBG sensing devices, other sensing systems such as optical ring resonator, Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), and photonic crystals are used, which still show experimental stages in the application of biosensing. Due to the requirement of sophisticated fabrication facilities and integrated systems, it is a tough choice to consider the other photonic system. Miniaturisation of complete FBG device for biomedical applications is the future scope of work. Even though there is a lot of experimental work considered with an FBG sensing system, commercialisation of the final FBG device for a specific application has not been seen noticeable progress in the past.

Recent Advances in Biomedical Photonic Sensors: A Focus on Optical-Fibre-Based Sensing

In this invited review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in biomedical photonic sensors within the last five years. This review is focused on works using optical-fibre technology, employing diverse optical fibres, sensing techniques, and configurations applied in several medical fields. We identified technical innovations and advancements with increased implementations of optical-fibre sensors, multiparameter sensors, and control systems in real applications. Examples of outstanding optical-fibre sensor performances for physical and biochemical parameters are covered, including diverse sensing strategies and fibre-optical probes for integration into medical instruments such as catheters, needles, or endoscopes.

Comparison of Pulse Wave Signal Monitoring Techniques with Different Fiber-Optic Interferometric Sensing Elements

Pulse wave (PW) measurement is a highly prominent technique, used in biomedical diagnostics. Development of novel PW sensors with increased accuracy and reduced susceptibility to motion artifacts will pave the way to more advanced healthcare technologies. This paper reports on a comparison of performance of fiber optic pulse wave sensors, based on Fabry–Perot interferometer, fiber Bragg grating, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and singlemode-multimode-singlemode intermodal interferometer. Their performance was tested in terms of signal to noise ratio, repeatability of demodulated signals and suitability of demodulated signals for extraction of information about direct and reflected waves. It was revealed that the OCT approach of PW monitoring provided the best demodulated signal quality and was most robust against motion artifacts. Advantages and drawbacks of all compared PW measurement approaches in terms of practical questions, such as multiplexing capabilities and abilities to be interrogated by portable hardware are discussed.

Noninvasive Flow Monitoring in Simple Flow Phantom Using Resistive Strain Sensors

In this paper, we introduce a monitoring method for flow expansion and contraction in a simple flow phantom based on electrical resistance changes in an epidermal strain sensor attached to the phantom. The flow phantom was fabricated to have a nonflat surface and small modulus that are analogous to human skin. The epidermal sensors made of polydopamine and polyvinyl alcohol show sufficient linearity (R = 0.9969), reproducibility, and self-adhesion properties, as well as high sensitivity to small modulus measurements (<1% tensile strain). Pulsatile flow monitoring experiments were performed by placing the epidermal sensor on the flow phantom and measuring the relative changes in resistance by the heartbeat. Experiments were conducted for three types of vessel diameters (1.5, 2, and 3 mm). In each of the experiments, the vessels were divided into Top, Middle, and Bottom positions. Experiments for each position show that the relative changes in resistance increase proportionally with the diameter of the vessel. The vessels located close to the epidermal layer have greater relative electrical changes. The results were analyzed using the Bernoulli equation and hoop stress formula. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a noninvasive flow monitoring method using a novel resistive strain sensor.

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.

Smart Sensors for Healthcare and Medical Applications

This special issue on "Smart Sensors for Healthcare and Medical Applications" focuses on new sensing technologies, measurement techniques, and their applications in medicine and healthcare [...].

Verification of the Propagation Range of Respiratory Strain Using Signal Waveform Measured by FBG Sensors

The FBG (Fiber Bragg grating) sensor is an optical fiber type strain sensor. When a person breathes, strain occurs in the lungs and diaphragm. This was verified using an FBG sensor to which part of the living body this respiratory strain propagates. When measured in the abdomen, the signal waveforms were significantly different between breathing and apnea. The respiratory cycle measured by the temperature sensor attached to the mask and the strain cycle measured by the FBG sensor almost matched. Respiratory strain was measured in the abdomen, chest, and shoulder, and the signal amplitude decreased with distance from the abdomen. In addition, the respiratory rate could be calculated from the measured strain signal. On the other hand, respiratory strain did not propagate to the elbows and wrists, which were off the trunk, and the respiratory time, based on the signal period, could not be calculated at these parts. Therefore, it was shown that respiratory strain propagated in the trunk from the abdomen to the shoulder, but not in the peripheral parts of the elbow and wrist.

Textile-integrated polymer optical fibers for healthcare and medical applications

With ever growing interest in far-reaching solutions for pervasive healthcare and medicine, polymer optical fibers have been rendered into textile forms. Having both fiber-optic functionalities and traditional fabric-like comfort, textile-integrated polymer optical fibers have been advocated to remove the technical barriers for long-term uninterrupted health monitoring and treatment. In this context, this paper spotlights and reviews the recently developed textile-integrated polymer optical fibers in conjunction with fabrication techniques, applications in long-term continuous health monitoring and treatment, and future perspectives in the vision of mobile health (mHealth), as well as the introductory basics of polymer optical fibers. It is designed to serve as a topical guidepost for scientists and engineers on this highly interdisciplinary and rapidly growing topic.

Single nanosecond-pulse production of polymeric fiber Bragg gratings for biomedical applications

In this study, we present first-time fabrication of FBGs in all ZEONEX-based SMPOFs with a single 25 ns pulse of 248 nm UV irradiation over a 12-month period, which opens up new frontiers in optics and photonics for the effective fabrication of polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs), permitting mass producibility of them. POFBGs were characterized by subjecting them to various physical parameters including temperature and tensile strain. Strain responses of FBGs with similar grating strengths fabricated with 248 nm and 325 nm He-Cd laser irradiations were explored over a year to demonstrate their long-term stability and applicability. Owing to the unique features of the proposed sensing device fabricated by embedding POFBGs in silicone rubber, a good performance in the detection of human heart rate with an amplitude of 4 pm, which is 4 times higher compared to that of silica single mode fiber (SMF) was demonstrated. The response of the sensing device during a human respiration process was also explored where exhalation and inhalation were monitored and distinguished while the breath was held. These revelations signify the importance of ZEONEX-based POFBGs, which allow consistent and effective grating fabrication and are highly promising in the foreseeable future for biomedical applications.

Bend-Direction and Rotation Plastic Optical Fiber Sensor

A plastic filament of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was fabricated by extrusion. The mode confinement was simulated using numerical software. The idea is to study how the light intensity changes inside the plastic optical fiber (POF) when a bending in multiple directions is applied. The results obtained from the simulation were compared to the experimental observations. The non-circular shape of the POF allows sensing a rotation applied as well. The angle of rotation was obtained processing two images of the end facet of the fiber (one with the fiber in a reference position and one with the rotated fiber), using an intensity-based automatic image registration. The accuracy in the rotation calculation was of 0.01°.

Polymer optical fibers for mechanical wave monitoring

This Letter presents the development of a low-cost polymer optical fiber (POF) sensor for mechanical wave monitoring. The POF is fabricated using the light polymerization spinning process (LPS-POF) with Bisphenol-A as its main component, resulting in a highly flexible fiber. The proposed LPS-POF sensor is applied on the assessment of squared waves with different amplitudes, where the amplitude and dynamic responses are compared to the ones of a piezoelectric transducer (PZT). In static conditions, a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.990 is obtained between the reference (PZT) and proposed sensors for the amplitude assessment of the wave. In dynamic analysis, the LPS-POF viscoelasticity is compensated using viscoelastic constitutive models, resulting in a R² of 0.988 between the sensor responses, which indicate a mean error reduction of 21% when compared to the uncompensated responses in the amplitudes of different square waves. The dynamic analysis also shows the sensor capability of operating in frequencies as high as 25 Hz. Then, the sensor's responses, compared to the input squared wave, show the possibility of wave velocity measurement. Therefore, with a LPS-POF sensor array, it is possible to monitor these parameters in practical applications.

Using a Machine Learning Algorithm Integrated with Data De-Noising Techniques to Optimize the Multipoint Sensor Network

In this paper, for an intensity wavelength division multiplexing (IWDM)-based multipoint fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor network, an effective strain sensing signal measurement method, called a long short-term memory (LSTM) machine learning algorithm, integrated with data de-noising techniques is proposed. These are considered extremely accurate for the prediction of very complex problems. Four ports of an optical coupler with distinct output power ratios of 70%, 60%, 40%, and 30% have been used in the proposed distributed IWDM-based FBG sensor network to connect a number of FBG sensors for strain sensing. In an IWDM-based FBG sensor network, distinct power ratios of coupler ports can contain distinct powers or intensities. However, unstable output power in the sensor system due to random noise, harsh environments, aging of the equipment, or other environmental factors can introduce fluctuations and noise to the spectra of the FBGs, which makes it hard to distinguish the sensing signals of FBGs from the noise signals. As a result, noise reduction and signal processing methods play a significant role in enhancing the capability of strain sensing. Thus, to reduce the noise, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and to accurately measure the sensing signal of FBGs, we proposed a long short-term memory (LSTM) deep learning algorithm integrated with discrete waveform transform (DWT) data smoother (de-noising) techniques. The DWT data de-noising methods are important techniques for analyzing and de-noising the sensor signals, and it further improves the strain sensing signal measurement accuracy of the LSTM model. Thus, after de-noising the sensor data, these data are fed into the LSTM model to measure the sensing signal of each FBG. The experimental results prove that the integration of LSTM with the DWT data de-noising technique achieved better sensing signal measurement accuracy, even in noisy data or environments. Therefore, the proposed IWDM-based FBG sensor network can accurately sense the signal of strain, even in bad or noisy environments; can increase the number of FBG sensors multiplexed in the sensor system; and can enhance the capacity of the sensor system.