An optical sensory principle for spirometry
Conference: Sensoren und Messsysteme - 19. ITG/GMA-Fachtagung
06/26/2018 - 06/27/2018 at Nürnberg, Deutschland
Proceedings: Sensoren und Messsysteme
Pages: 4Language: englishTyp: PDF
Personal VDE Members are entitled to a 10% discount on this title
Authors:
Stadler, Anna Theresia; Wiesmayr, Bianca; Baumgartner, Werner (Institute of Biomedical Mechatronics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)
Krieger, Michael (Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria)
Abstract:
1 in 20 patients contracts an infection during hospitalization or surgery [1]. Disposable items are one powerful tool to avoid cross-contamination between patients. In pulmonary function testing, the subject exhales through a mouthpiece into a sensor to measure lung function; hence contamination of surfaces is an ever-present risk, preventable by means of a disposable flowmeter. In this study, we present a principle for a low-cost and disposable flow sensor for pulmonary function instruments, in particular for spirometers. The sensor is based on an optical detection principle. Light is coupled into a light guiding Polydimethylsiloxane fiber, that consists of a core and a cladding with similar refractive indices to ensure high bending sensitivity. A formulation that describes the relation between detected light intensity and fiber bending is established.