Elastomeric-coated FBGs for point-of-care diagnostics

This study deploys the application of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) in physiological pressure monitoring by integrating an elastomeric, biocompatible coating ranging from 300-500μm, designed to improve sensor functionality for in-vivo pressure monitoring applications. FBGs are favored for their sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and compact size, making them ideal for embedding within medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. However, their use has been limited by low inherent pressure sensitivity (3.14 pm/MPa) and the impracticality of thicker coatings described in previous studies. Our approach demonstrates that this unique coating not only boosts the pressure sensitivity significantly—surpassing 1.63 orders of magnitude (43.10 times)—but also enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical signal. These advancements enable potential applications in high-resolution manometry, gastrointestinal pressure monitoring, intracranial and intracoronary blood pressure measurements, marking a significant step forward in medical diagnostics and monitoring.