Abstract
We propose a novel polymer optical fiber (POF) sensing system based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to measure foot plantar pressure. The plantar pressure signals are detected by five FBGs, in the same piece of cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP) fiber, which are embedded in a cork insole for the dynamic monitoring of gait. The calibration and measurements performed with the suggested system are presented, and the results obtained demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the sensing platform to monitor the foot plantar pressure distribution during gait motion and the application of pressure. This architecture does not compromise the patient’s mobility nor interfere in their daily activities. The results using the CYTOP fiber showed a very good response when compared with solutions using silica optical fibers, resulting in a sensitivity almost twice as high, with excellent repeatability and ease of handling. The advantages of POF (e.g., high flexibility and robustness) proved that this is a viable solution for this type of application, since POF’s high fracture toughness enables its application in monitoring patients with higher body mass compared with similar systems based on silica fiber. This study has demonstrated the viability of the proposed system based on POF technology as a useful alternative for plantar pressure detection systems.
Highlights
Optical fiber sensors present advantages over conventional electronic and electromechanical sensors
The fast growth of mobile technologies has brought new insight into healthcare systems and practices, igniting the research and progress of the e-Health topic that has emerged with the field of Internet of Things (IoT)
The system could use a stand-alone wireless device dedicated to the monitoring design or a software application to be installed on a patient’s smartphone [49]
Summary
Optical fiber sensors present advantages over conventional electronic and electromechanical sensors. These advantages include compactness, lightweight, data multiplexing capabilities, electrical isolation, electromagnetic field immunity, and biocompatibility [1,2] For these reasons, optical fibers sensors have been used in medical applications, structural health monitoring, and industrial applications to measure parameters such as temperature [3], strain [4], humidity [5], refractive index [6], and pressure [7], among other physical quantities [8,9]. To improve the life quality of physically impaired citizens, increase the mobility of elder citizens, as well as address the challenges mentioned before, an integrated “in-shoe” optical fiber sensor network, able to monitor health conditions by observing physiological parameters in the foot, is designed using POF technology
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