Measuring respiratory and heart rate using a fiber optic interferometer: A pilot study in a neonate model

The study aim was to test the safety and efficacy of a pad with optic fibers developed for monitoring newborn respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR).

Thirty New Zealand White rabbits were included, divided by weight into three groups. RR and HR were measured using two methods for each rabbit: ECG electrodes as the reference method and a newly developed pad with an experimental fiber optic system (EFOS) as the experimental method.

Analysis was performed on data for 29 rabbits (10 female, 34%; 19 male, 66%). EFOS performed better at measuring RR compared with HR. RR values did not differ significantly between the methods for the whole group (p = 0.151) or within each sex (female: p > 0.999; male: p = 0.075). Values for HR, however, did differ between methods for the whole group of animals (p < 0.001) and also within groups by sex (female: p < 0.001; male: p = 0.006).

The results of this preclinical study demonstrate the potential of this non-invasive method using a fiber optic pad to measure HR and RR.