POF-based specklegram sensor for continuous patient monitoring

Abstract

In this work, different schemes to detect vital signs of bedding patients are proposed and experimentally verified. Employing speckle in multimode polymer optical fibers as sensing element, the fiber is placed under the bed linen to collect the small movements provoked by the patient. This kind of sensor takes advantage of the remarkably high sensitivity exhibited by fiber specklegram sensors. Based on a proper sizing of the employed multimode fiber, it can be placed in different locations trying to favour the detection of heart beating or movement. When the patient does not exhibit any conscious movement (e.g. while he is sleeping) its heart rate can be measured.This work has been supported by the project TEC2013-47264-C2-1-R of the Spanish Government and by a Parliament of Cantabria postdoc grant