VENOUS OCCLUSION PLETHYSMOGRAPHY USING A FIBEROPTIC SENSOR

This paper presents the results of comparative testing of a fiber-opti c sensor used as an alternative to the mercury strain-gauge in a clini cally well-established technique for limb blood flow assessment, venou s occlusion plethysmography. In this research the measurement of volum e changes following venous occlusion has been performed with a variety of methods including the commonly used mercury strain-gauge. Temperat ure drift and long-term instability are problems associated with the m ercury strain-gauge. In addition, environmental protection authorities are prohibiting the marketing of mercury sensors, beginning in 1993. Evaluation and optimization of the fiber optic microbending sensor is described in detail. Comparison with the mercury strain-gauge sensor i s made for in lower limb blood flow measurements.