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Jha R, Mishra P, Kumar S. Advancements in optical fiber-based wearable sensors for smart health monitoring. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 254:116232. [PMID: 38520984 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare system is undergoing a significant transformation from a traditional hospital-centered to an individual-centered one, as a result of escalating chronic diseases, ageing populations, and ever-increasing healthcare costs,. Wearable sensors have become widely used in health monitoring systems since the COVID-19 pandemic. They enable continuous measurement of important health indicators like body temperature, wrist pulse, respiration rate, and non-invasive bio fluids like saliva and perspiration. Over the last few decades, the development has mostly concentrated on electrochemical and electrical wearable sensors. However, due to the drawbacks of such sensors, such as electronic waste, electromagnetic interference, non-electrical security, and poor performance, researchers are exhibiting a strong interest in optical principle-based systems. Fiber-based optical wearables are among the most promising healthcare systems because of advancements in high-sensitivity, durable, multiplexed sensing, and simple integration with flexible materials to improve wearability and simplicity. We present an overview of recent developments in optical fiber-based wearable sensors, focusing on two mechanisms: wavelength interrogation and intensity modulation for the detection of body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, body movements, and biomedical noninvasive fluids, with a thorough examination of their benefits and drawbacks. This review also focuses on improving working performance and application techniques for healthcare systems, including the integration of nanomaterials and the usage of the Internet of Things (IoT) with signal processing. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of the future possibilities and problems for optical fiber-based wearables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Jha
- Nanophotonics and Plasmonics Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India.
| | - Pratik Mishra
- Nanophotonics and Plasmonics Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, 522302, India
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González-Cely AX, Diaz CAR, Callejas-Cuervo M, Bastos-Filho T. Optical fiber sensors for posture monitoring, ulcer detection and control in a wheelchair: a state-of-the-art. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2024; 19:1773-1790. [PMID: 37439135 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2234411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last ten years, the design and implementation of Optical Fiber Sensors (OFS) in biomedical applications have been discussed, with a focus on different subareas, such as body parameter monitoring and control of assistive devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS A scoping review was performed including scientific literature (PubMed/Scopus, IEEE and Web of Science), patents (WIPO/Google Scholar), and commercial information. RESULTS The main applications of OFS in the rehabilitation field for preventing future postural diseases and applying them in device controllers were discussed in this review. Physical characteristics of OFS, different uses, and applications of Polymer Optical Fiber pressure sensors are mentioned. The main postures used for posture monitoring analysis when the user is sitting are normal position, crooked back, high lumbar pressure, sitting on the edge of the chair, and crooked back, left position, and right position. Additionally, it is possible to use Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for posture classification, and device control such as Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbors, etc., obtaining accuracies above 97%. Moreover, the literature mentions wheelchair controllers and Graphical User Interfaces using pressure maps to provide feedback to the user. CONCLUSIONS OFS have been used in several healthcare applications as well as postural and preventive applications. The literature showed an effort to implement and design accessible devices for people with disabilities and people with specific diseases. Alternatively, ML algorithms are widely used in this direction, leaving the door open for further studies that allow the application of real-time systems for posture monitoring and wheelchairs control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura Ximena González-Cely
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Robotics and Assistive Technology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Camilo A R Diaz
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Mauro Callejas-Cuervo
- Software Research Group, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Teodiano Bastos-Filho
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Robotics and Assistive Technology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
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Zhou F, Luo B, Zou X, Zou C, Wu D, Wang Z, Bai Y, Zhao M. A Wearable Sandwich Heterostructure Multimode Fiber Optic Microbend Sensor for Vital Signal Monitoring. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2209. [PMID: 38610420 PMCID: PMC11014310 DOI: 10.3390/s24072209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
This work proposes a highly sensitive sandwich heterostructure multimode optical fiber microbend sensor for heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and ballistocardiography (BCG) monitoring, which is fabricated by combining a sandwich heterostructure multimode fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (SHMF-MZI) with a microbend deformer. The parameters of the SHMF-MZI sensor and the microbend deformer were analyzed and optimized in detail, and then the new encapsulated method of the wearable device was put forward. The proposed wearable sensor could greatly enhance the response to the HR signal. The performances for HR, RR, and BCG monitoring were as good as those of the medically approved commercial monitors. The sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, easy fabrication, and good stability, providing the potential for application in the field of daily supervision and health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumin Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Binbin Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Xue Zou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
- School of Communications and Information Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Chaoke Zou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Decao Wu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Zhijun Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Yunfang Bai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mingfu Zhao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensor and Photoelectric Detection, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (F.Z.); (C.Z.); (D.W.); (Z.W.); (Y.B.); (M.Z.)
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Vitazkova D, Foltan E, Kosnacova H, Micjan M, Donoval M, Kuzma A, Kopani M, Vavrinsky E. Advances in Respiratory Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review of Wearable and Remote Technologies. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:90. [PMID: 38392009 PMCID: PMC10886711 DOI: 10.3390/bios14020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the importance of wearable and remote technologies in healthcare. The focus highlights its potential in continuous monitoring, examines the specificity of the issue, and offers a view of proactive healthcare. Our research describes a wide range of device types and scientific methodologies, starting from traditional chest belts to their modern alternatives and cutting-edge bioamplifiers that distinguish breathing from chest impedance variations. We also investigated innovative technologies such as the monitoring of thorax micromovements based on the principles of seismocardiography, ballistocardiography, remote camera recordings, deployment of integrated optical fibers, or extraction of respiration from cardiovascular variables. Our review is extended to include acoustic methods and breath and blood gas analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of different approaches to respiratory monitoring. The topic of monitoring respiration with wearable and remote electronics is currently the center of attention of researchers, which is also reflected by the growing number of publications. In our manuscript, we offer an overview of the most interesting ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Vitazkova
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Erik Foltan
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Helena Kosnacova
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Micjan
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Martin Donoval
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Anton Kuzma
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Martin Kopani
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Erik Vavrinsky
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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5
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Vavrinsky E, Esfahani NE, Hausner M, Kuzma A, Rezo V, Donoval M, Kosnacova H. The Current State of Optical Sensors in Medical Wearables. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:217. [PMID: 35448277 PMCID: PMC9029995 DOI: 10.3390/bios12040217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Optical sensors play an increasingly important role in the development of medical diagnostic devices. They can be very widely used to measure the physiology of the human body. Optical methods include PPG, radiation, biochemical, and optical fiber sensors. Optical sensors offer excellent metrological properties, immunity to electromagnetic interference, electrical safety, simple miniaturization, the ability to capture volumes of nanometers, and non-invasive examination. In addition, they are cheap and resistant to water and corrosion. The use of optical sensors can bring better methods of continuous diagnostics in the comfort of the home and the development of telemedicine in the 21st century. This article offers a large overview of optical wearable methods and their modern use with an insight into the future years of technology in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Vavrinsky
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Niloofar Ebrahimzadeh Esfahani
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Michal Hausner
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Anton Kuzma
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Vratislav Rezo
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Martin Donoval
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (N.E.E.); (M.H.); (A.K.); (V.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Helena Kosnacova
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Jauregui-Vazquez D, Gutierrez-Rivera ME, Garcia-Mina DF, Sierra-Hernandez JM, Gallegos-Arellano E, Estudillo-Ayala JM, Hernandez-Garcia JC, Rojas-Laguna R. Low-pressure and liquid level fiber-optic sensor based on polymeric Fabry-Perot cavity. OPTICAL AND QUANTUM ELECTRONICS 2021; 53:237. [PMID: 33907348 PMCID: PMC8062215 DOI: 10.1007/s11082-021-02871-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An experimental study of the interaction between a Mylar® polymer film and a multimode fiber-optic is presented for the simultaneous fiber-optic detection of low-pressure and liquid levels. The junction between the polymer and optical fiber produces an interference spectrum with maximal visibility and free spectral range around 9 dB and 31 nm, respectively. Water pressure, which is controlled by the liquid level, stresses the polymer. As a result, the spectrum wavelength shifts to the blue region, achieving high sensitivities around 2.49 nm/kPa and 24.5 nm/m. The polymeric membrane was analyzed using a finite element model; according to the results, the polymer shows linear stress response. Furthermore, the membrane material is operated below the yielding point. Moreover, the finite analysis provides information about the stress effect over the thickness and the birefringence changes. This sensor exhibits a quadratic polynomial fitting with an adjusted R-squared of 0.9539. The proposed sensing setup offers a cost-effective alternative for liquid level and low-pressure detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Jauregui-Vazquez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - M. E. Gutierrez-Rivera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - D. F. Garcia-Mina
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Calle 25 # 115-85, Cali, 760030 Colombia
| | - J. M. Sierra-Hernandez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - E. Gallegos-Arellano
- Departamento de Mecatrónica, Universidad Tecnológica de Salamanca, Av. Universidad Tecnológica #200, Col. Ciudad Bajío, C.P. 36766 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - J. M. Estudillo-Ayala
- Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - J. C. Hernandez-Garcia
- Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
| | - R. Rojas-Laguna
- Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica, División de Ingenierías Campus Irapuato Salamanca, Universidad de Guanajuato, Carretera Salamanca- Valle de Santiago km 3.5 + 1.8 km, 36885 Salamanca, Gto. Mexico
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Wang YL, Liu B, Pang YN, Liu J, Shi JL, Wan SP, He XD, Yuan J, Wu Q. Low-Cost Wearable Sensor Based on a D-Shaped Plastic Optical Fiber for Respiration Monitoring. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT 2021; 70:1-8. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1109/tim.2021.3075033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
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8
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Bend-Direction and Rotation Plastic Optical Fiber Sensor. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20185405. [PMID: 32967211 PMCID: PMC7570926 DOI: 10.3390/s20185405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
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°.
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Ghaffar A, Mehdi M, Hussain S, Hussian N, Ali S, JianHui S, Pang J, Liu W. The coupling of scattered-bend loss in POF based the displacement measurement sensor. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2020.100351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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10
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Baimukashev D, Kappassov Z, Varol HA. Shear, Torsion and Pressure Tactile Sensor via Plastic Optofiber Guided Imaging. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2020.2972876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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An Analytical Model for Describing the Power Coupling Ratio between Multimode Fibers with Transverse Displacement and Angular Misalignment in an Optical Fiber Bend Sensor. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19224968. [PMID: 31739550 PMCID: PMC6891536 DOI: 10.3390/s19224968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The power coupling ratio between step-index multimode fibers caused by combined transversal and angular misalignment is calculated. A theoretical description of the coupling efficiency between two optical fibers based on geometrical optics is provided. The theoretical calculations are collaborated by experiments, determining the power coupling ratio between three output fibers with an axial offset and angular misalignment with a single input fiber. The calculation results are in good agreement with experimental results obtained using a previously fabricated optical fiber sensor for monitoring physiological parameters in clinical environments. The theoretical results are particularly beneficial for optimizing the design of optical fiber bending sensors that are based on power coupling loss (intensity) as the measurement interrogation requires either axial displacement, angular misalignment, or both.
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Avellar LM, Leal-Junior AG, Diaz CAR, Marques C, Frizera A. POF Smart Carpet: A Multiplexed Polymer Optical Fiber-Embedded Smart Carpet for Gait Analysis. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19153356. [PMID: 31370153 PMCID: PMC6695953 DOI: 10.3390/s19153356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents the development of a smart carpet based on polymer optical fiber (POF) for ground reaction force (GRF) and spatio-temporal gait parameter assessment. The proposed carpet has 20 intensity variation-based sensors on one fiber with two photodetectors for acquisition, each one for the response of 10 closer sensors. The used multiplexing technique is based on side-coupling between the light sources and POF lateral sections in which one light-emitting diode (LED) is activated at a time, sequentially. Three tests were performed, two for sensor characterization and one for validation of the smart carpet, where the first test consisted of the application of calibrated weights on the top of each sensor for force characterization. In the second test, the foot was positioned on predefined points distributed on the carpet, where a mean relative error of 2.9% was obtained. Results of the walking tests on the proposed POF-embedded smart carpet showed the possibility of estimating the GRF and spatio-temporal gait parameters (step and stride lengths, cadence, and stance duration). The obtained results make possible the identification of gait events (stance and swing phases) as well as the stance duration and double support periods. The proposed carpet is a low-cost and reliable tool for gait analysis in different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia M Avellar
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria 29075-910, Brazil.
| | - Arnaldo G Leal-Junior
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Espirito Santo 29075-910, Brazil
| | - Camilo A R Diaz
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria 29075-910, Brazil
| | - Carlos Marques
- I3N & Physics Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Anselmo Frizera
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria 29075-910, Brazil
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Polymer Optical Fiber Sensors in Healthcare Applications: A Comprehensive Review. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19143156. [PMID: 31323734 PMCID: PMC6679278 DOI: 10.3390/s19143156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Advances in medicine and improvements in life quality has led to an increase in the life expectancy of the general population. An ageing world population have placed demands on the use of assistive technology and, in particular, towards novel healthcare devices and sensors. Besides the electromagnetic field immunity, polymer optical fiber (POF) sensors have additional advantages due to their material features such as high flexibility, lower Young’s modulus (enabling high sensitivity for mechanical parameters), higher elastic limits, and impact resistance. Such advantages are well-aligned with the instrumentation requirements of many healthcare devices and in movement analysis. Aiming at these advantages, this review paper presents the state-of-the-art developments of POF sensors for healthcare applications. A plethora of healthcare applications are discussed, which include movement analysis, physiological parameters monitoring, instrumented insoles, as well as instrumentation of healthcare robotic devices such as exoskeletons, smart walkers, actuators, prostheses, and orthosis. This review paper shows the feasibility of using POF sensors in healthcare applications and, due to the aforementioned advantages, it is possible to envisage a further widespread use of such sensors in this research field in the next few years.
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14
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E-Knitted Textile with Polymer Optical Fibers for Friction and Pressure Monitoring in Socks. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19133011. [PMID: 31288468 PMCID: PMC6651217 DOI: 10.3390/s19133011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to study the ability of polymer optical fiber (POF) to be inserted in a knitted fabric and to measure both pressure and friction when walking. Firstly, POF, marketed and in development, have been compared in terms of the required mechanical properties for the insertion of the fiber directly into a knitted fabric on an industrial scale, i.e. elongation, bending rigidity, and minimum bending radius before plastic deformation. Secondly, the chosen optical fiber was inserted inside several types of knitted fabric and was shown to be sensitive to friction and compression. The knitted structure with the highest sensitivity has been chosen for sock prototype manufacturing. Finally, a feasibility study with an instrumented sock showed that it is possible to detect the different phases of walking in terms of compression and friction.
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