An optical fiber Bragg grating force sensor for monitoring sub-bandage pressure during compression therapy

Abstract

Graduated compression bandaging of the lower limbs is the primary therapy for venous leg ulcers with its efficacy believed to be predominantly dependent on the amount and the distribution of the compressive pressure applied. There has been on-going demand for an ideal sensor to facilitate in-vivo monitoring of the sub-bandage pressure. Several methods and devices have been reported but each has its limitations, such as bulkiness, low tolerance to movement, susceptible to thermal noise and single point sensing. An optical fiber force sensor is demonstrated, consisting of two arrays of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) entwined in a double helix form and packaged with contact-force sensitivity. This sensor array has inherent temperature immunity and is capable of real-time, distributed sensing of sub-bandage pressure. The calibration results of the sensor array, as well as the validation human trial results, are presented.

A fiber‐optic sensor‐based device for the measurement of vaginal integrity in women

“…The fiber‐optic sensor arrays used were adapted from the devices developed for measuring pressure beneath compression bandages . The mode of operation of these devices has been described in detail elsewhere …”

“…19 The mode of operation of these devices has been described in detail elsewhere. [19][20][21] Nine sensors were located at 10 mm intervals along the upper and lower blades of the device (Figure 1) and were calibrated in a pressure chamber over a pressure range of 0 and 100 mm Hg before use. Placing the protective covers (see below) onto the probe only contributed 2 mm Hg (1.97 ± 0.78 mm Hg) to the measurement and so was not considered to adversely affect the recorded data.…”

Two Important Italian Scientists of the Renaissance and the First Book Ever Devoted to Nevi

“…Among his many books on medicine, alchemy, and natural phenomena, he also wrote De Metoscopia (literally:"Abouttheobservationofthefront").Inthisbookheexplainedhistheory that it should be possible to identify the character of a person looking the appearanceofhisfrontalskin.Healsospeculatesonthemeaningofthenevi. 3 Inspired by Cardano's ideas, Ludovico Settala (1552-1633) wrote the first book ever devoted to nevi (De Naevis) in 1626. According to Set-tala it was possible to understand the qualities and defects of a person by observing the position of the nevus in his body.…”

A high‐resolution tape sensor improves the accuracy of applied pressure profiles during lower‐leg bandaging – results from a study using a fibre‐optic sensing tape

“…A common feature of all of them is that the pressure can only be measured at a few discrete locations simultaneously. We have developed a thin fibre‐optic‐based sub‐bandage pressure sensor device that offers high spatial resolution with 30 individual sensing regions on a common fibre spaced only 10 mm apart over the length of the limb. The sensing regions are less than 10‐mm wide and approximately 1‐mm thick and hence do not create any noticeable force concentration on the limb.…”

“…The sensing regions are less than 10‐mm wide and approximately 1‐mm thick and hence do not create any noticeable force concentration on the limb. Further details have been previously reported .…”