Vital Sign Measurement Using FBG Sensor for New Wearable Sensor Development

Abstract

In this study, we measured the vital signs of a living body using an FBG sensor by installing it at a pulsation point such as the radial artery. We developed a biological model to demonstrate the capability of an FBG sensor. The FBG sensor signal was found to correspond to the changes in diameter of the artery caused by the pressure of the blood flow. Vital signs such as pulse rate, respiratory rate, stress load, and blood pressure were calculated from the FBG sensor signal. While pulse rate and respiration rate were calculated by peak detection of FBG sensor signal. Blood pressure was calculated from the waveform shape of one beat of the FBG sensor signal by PLS regression analysis. All vital signs were calculated with high accuracy. The study helps establish that these vital signs can be calculated continuously and simultaneously. Considering that an FBG sensor can detect a strain with high sensitivity using a small optical fiber, it is expected to be adopted widely as a novel wearable vital sign sensor.