Wearable Conformal Fiber Sensor for High Fidelity Physiological Measurements

TL;DR

This paper introduces a wearable conformal fiber sensor using hollow-core polyurethane optical fiber for high-fidelity physiological measurements like pulse, breathing, and cadence, suitable for health monitoring applications.

Contribution

A novel sensing platform combining simple hollow fiber structure and intensity-based detection with unique material properties for accurate physiological sensing.

Findings

High fidelity detection of cardiac pulse wave features

Simultaneous measurement of breathing rate and walking cadence

Potential integration into clothing for real-time health monitoring

Abstract

Wearable devices are becoming increasingly important, addressing needs in both the fitness and the medical markets. In this paper, we describe a novel sensing platform based on a hollow-core polyurethane optical fiber, operating through capillary guidance, that acts as a conformal sensor of pressure or deformation. The novelty is achieved by combining a simple structure (hollow capillary) and a simple detection technique (intensity-based measurement) with unconventional material properties (extreme deformability and high optical absorbance). Used on the wrist and ankle, the sensor allows detailed features of the cardiac pulse wave to be identified with high fidelity, while on the chest it allows the simultaneous measurement of breathing rate and walking cadence. Used together, an array of such sensors (with others) could be incorporated into clothing and provide physiologically rich real-time data for health monitoring.