Wearable system for Real-time Remote Monitoring of Respiratory Rate during Covid-19 using Fiber Bragg Grating

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has brought a requirement of remote and continuous real-time monitoring of vital human physiological parameters. Respiratory rate forms a critical parameter while examining for Covid-19. Present work demonstrates application of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for real-time monitoring of respiratory rate over respiratory mask. Nasal airflow pattern during breathing is captured by FBG bonded over the silicone diaphragm of respiratory mask with a valve. By virtue of bonded FBG, complete breathing pattern comprising of inhalation and exhalation phases are observed, and the respiratory rate is obtained by monitoring number of peaks of wavelength shift caused on the FBG during breathing. A sharp peak deflection indicating 15 breaths per minute is observed on normal breathing, demonstrating the feasibility of the application. Flexibility of FBG for integration with respiratory masks, its low cost, electrically passive nature and negligible signal attenuation on transmission, form the main advantages for the application.