Smart medical textiles with embedded optical fibre sensors for continuous monitoring of respiratory movements during MRI
J. Witt, BAM - Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Germany); F. Narbonneau, Multitel (Belgium); M. Schukar, K. Krebber, BAM - Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Germany); J. Jonckheere, M. Jeanne, Inserm CIC-IT (France); D. Kinet, Multitel (Belgium); B. Paquet, Centexbel (Belgium); A. Depré, Elasta (Belgium); L. T. D’Angelo, University of Technology Munich (Germany); R. Logier, Inserm CIC-IT (France)
We report on three respiration sensors based on pure optical technologies developed during the FP6 EU project OFSETH. The developed smart medical textiles can sense elongation up to 3%, while maintaining the stretching properties of the textile substrates for a good comfort of the patient. The sensors, based on silica and polymer fibre, are developed for monitoring of patients during MRI examination. The OFSETH harness allows a continuous measurement of respiration movements while all vitals organs are free for medical staff actions. The sensors were tested in MRI environment and on healthy adults.
