Performance characteristics of a new generation pressure microsensor for physiologic applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Sensing Technologies
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional pressure sensors face limitations in accuracy and durability in demanding environments.
• Existing microsensors often lack the required sensitivity and robustness for advanced medical applications.
• The need for miniaturized, high-performance sensors for in-vivo monitoring is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a next-generation fiber-optic microsensor for accurate pressure measurements.
• To enhance sensor performance for minimally invasive applications and harsh environments.
• To validate the microsensor's accuracy, repeatability, hysteresis, and fatigue resistance.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a fiber-optic microsensor utilizing extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometry (EFPI).
• Incorporation of numerical modeling for diaphragm deflection to optimize size and sensitivity.
• Calibration against a NIST-traceable reference pressure source over a 0-250 mmHg range.

Main Results:

• The EFPI microsensor achieved an accuracy better than 2% full-scale output.
• Repeatability and hysteresis were demonstrated to be better than 1% full-scale output.
• The sensor exhibited excellent fatigue resistance, with <0.25% full-scale output change after 10,000 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The developed EFPI fiber-optic microsensor offers a significant advancement in size and performance for pressure sensing.
• Its immunity to high temperature, EMI, and corrosive environments makes it suitable for challenging applications.
• The sensor's capabilities are ideal for minimally invasive physiologic pressure monitoring and catheter-based instrumentation.