PROBESENS · PROBESENS – PRessure Optical fibre BiomEdical SENSor

The goal of the proposed project is to develop a novel, non-invasive and biocompatible fibre optic sensor for pressure monitoring in biomedical applications. The project is hosted by the Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre (OFSRL) at the University of Limerick, Ireland.Fibre optic sensors (FOS) represent the best performing sensing technology for pressure, strain and temperature detection. FOS are extremely sensitive, non-invasive and biocompatible, extremely suitable for application in biomedical sensors. In this framework, OFSRL is currently developing a fibre optics biomedical sensor for measurement of vesicourethral pressure for diagnosing urodynamic disorders. Preliminary experiments and trials show that this instrument provides increased performance and is more comfortable for patients than alternative technologies.On the other side, FOS technologies are not converging to commercial products as fast as expected; their main problems are the overwhelming costs and the impracticality to make fully portable devices. To this end, the applicant has developed a solid background on building low-cost, miniature, and portable interrogation system for FOS solutions, using “cheap” signal processing in lieu of expensive optics. Applied to the biomedical sensor under development, this would create an inexpensive and portable system.Merging together the OFSRL work on this biomedical instrument with the applicant’s specific competences in fibre sensor design, it is possible to improve the urethral sensing system to a non-invasive, fully-portable, and high-performance prototype. This represents the workflow of the research project. The utlimate step involves the technology transfer of this prototype from academia to industry.The proposed project addresses the FP7 work programme as it aims to develop cross-functional skills, create ongoing collaborations for further research projects and establishing a more effective technology transfer mindset.