Abstract
The publication presents a comparative study of two fibre-optic sensors in the application of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) monitoring of the human body. After consultation with clinical practitioners, two types of non-invasive measuring and analysis systems based on fibre Bragg grating (FBG) and fibre-optic interferometer (FOI) have been designed and assembled. These systems use probes (both patent pending) that have been encapsulated in the bio-compatible polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS). The main advantage of PDMS is that it is electrically non-conductive and, as well as optical fibres, has low permeability. The initial verification measurement of the system designed was performed on four subjects in a harsh magnetic resonance (MR) environment under the supervision of a senior radiology assistant. A follow-up comparative study was conducted, upon a consent of twenty volunteers, in a laboratory environment with a minimum motion load and discussed with a head doctor of the Radiodiagnostic Institute. The goal of the laboratory study was to perform measurements that would simulate as closely as possible the environment of harsh MR or the environment of long-term health care facilities, hospitals and clinics. Conventional HR and RR measurement systems based on ECG measurements and changes in the thoracic circumference were used as references. The data acquired was compared by the objective Bland–Altman (B–A) method and discussed with practitioners. The results obtained confirmed the functionality of the designed probes, both in the case of RR and HR measurements (for both types of B–A, more than 95% of the values lie within the ±1.96 SD range), while demonstrating higher accuracy of the interferometric probe (in case of the RR determination, 95.66% for the FOI probe and 95.53% for the FBG probe, in case of the HR determination, 96.22% for the FOI probe and 95.23% for the FBG probe).
Highlights
This publication builds on current trends in non-invasive monitoring of vital functions [1].The original benefit of this work is the comparison of two types of fibre-optic systems, namely the fibre-optic interferometric (FOI) system and the fibre Bragg grating (FBG) system, and their verification against conventional clinical systems in use
The initial measurement with the goal to verify the basic functional assumptions of the measuring systems and probes in the magnetic resonance (MR) environment was performed on four subjects during regular examinations, upon their written contest
Fibre-optic sensory systems are increasingly applied in the biomedical industry and are a suitable and affordable alternative to commonly used devices in terms of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) determination
Summary
This publication builds on current trends in non-invasive monitoring of vital functions [1].The original benefit of this work is the comparison of two types of fibre-optic systems, namely the fibre-optic interferometric (FOI) system and the fibre Bragg grating (FBG) system, and their verification against conventional clinical systems in use. This publication builds on current trends in non-invasive monitoring of vital functions [1]. The comparative study is focused on human body pulse rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) monitoring for the harsh magnetic resonance (MR) environment (e.g., Magnetic Resonance, X-ray, UV absorption and radiation, etc.). Advantageous characteristic features of fibre-optic sensors include their independence from an active power supply and a high immunity to electromagnetic interference. Thanks to these attributes, these sensors can be used with other electronic equipment without generating electrical noise that may compromise the quality of vital sign monitoring and potentially lead to patient safety concerns. Fibre-optic sensors are gaining more popularity due to their flexibility, very small dimensions, and reliability.
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