We report on three respiration sensors based on pure optical technologies developed during the FP6 EU project
OFSETH. The developed smart medical textiles can sense elongation up to 3%, while maintaining the stretching
properties of the textile substrates for a good comfort of the patient. The sensors, based on silica and polymer fibre, are
developed for monitoring of patients during MRI examination. The OFSETH harness allows a continuous measurement
of respiration movements while all vitals organs are free for medical staff actions. The sensors were tested in MRI
environment and on healthy adults.
We investigate two real-time strain sensing principles based on the optical time-domain reflectometry
(OTDR) in polymer optical fibres (POF). The first sensing principle uses the increase of the level of backscattered light
in a stretched POF. The second sensing principle uses the effect of losses due to bending.
This paper describes the outcome of two groups which are involved in the specification of guidelines for fibre optic sensors performance and testing. The "Guideline for use of fibre optic sensors" from the COST-299 guideline group, and the "Optical Strain Sensor based on Fibre Bragg Grating" from the GESA guideline group of the VDI - "The Association of German Engineers". Through appropriate specifications and definitions, both guidelines aim at enabling better understanding of fibre optic sensors characteristics and performances. A concise view into the structure of the guidelines is presented, emphasizing important aspects. The English version of the two guidelines will be available in autumn 2009.
In comparison with traditional measuring Systems (pressure cells, piezometers and inclinometers which produce only point measurements) fibre optic sensors are well suited for spatiallydistributed monitoring purposes. The very tiny optical fibres of a diameter of less then 1 mm can operate as sensors in strong electromagnetic fields, under “harsh” explosive and Chemical environments and under ionizing radiation.