Feasibility study of a fiber-optic system for invasive blood pressure measurements

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a fiber-optic sensor in invasive blood pressure measurements. Static and wide-bandwidth stimuli were offered to the fiber-optic, Millar, Baxter, and Sentron devices to measure static transfer function and transient response. Animal experiments focused on offset drift, dynamic accuracy, and electromagnetic sensitivity. Compared to the Millar, Sentron, and Baxter devices, the fiber-optic sensor had a near-identical static transfer function. Gain and offset errors were < 3.4% and < 0.25%, respectively. Hysteresis nonlinearity was < 0.1%. The dynamic accuracy of the fiber-optic system matched that of the Millar and Sentron systems. Time delay was < 1 msec. Maximum rate of change was > 30,000 mm Hg/sec and bandwidth was 0-150 Hz minimum. Offset drift was 0.6 +/- 0.03 mm Hg. Application of diathermy highlighted the fiber-optic sensor's excellent electromagnetic disturbance rejection. The fiber-optic system appears to be a reliable, high-fidelity pressure monitor in demanding clinical environments.