Fiber optic sensors have become increasingly important in medical applications due to their unique properties and advantages.
These sensors employ optical fibers to detect and measure various physiological parameters, offering significant benefits over traditional electronic sensors.At first, the only available method for continuously monitoring pressure in the circulatory system was the fluid-filled catheter method.
This method has several disadvantages, such as poor dynamic response causing damping or overshooting, movement artifacts, or the potential for obstruction.The key advantages of the fiberoptic sensors are as follows.
Small size and flexibility, Fiber optic sensors are thin, lightweight, and flexible, allowing for minimally invasive procedures and integration into small medical devices.
Electromagnetic interference immunity, they are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them safe for use during MRI, Radiofrequency procedures or electrocautery.
Biocompatibility, as Optical fibers can be sterilized using standard medical techniques and are chemically inert and nontoxic.
And, finally, Good dynamic response, minimizing the dumping or overshooting effects.Currently, this technology is used in multiple cardiovascular devices, for example in the Intraaortic balloon pump; in the transaortic microaxial pumps like Impella or Supira device; in the fractional flow reserve measurement; or in the IKOR device, a coronary microcatheter to measure coronary pressure and flow.
Learn more in this video:
Tag: fiberoptic, pressure, sensor, medical use, Fabry-Perot, interferometer, fluid-filled catheter, advantages, IABP, Impella, Supira, FFR, IKOR, light beam, membrane, diaphragm, photodetector, light source, coupler
