Fluid flow sensing apparatus for in vivo and industrial applications employing novel optical fiber pressure sensors
AssigneeOptical Technologies, Inc.
InventorRobert E. Einzig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optical fiber fluid flow measuring device is provided for in vivo determination of blood flow in arteries. The device includes a fiber optical fluid differential pressure measuring device having at least one optical fiber sensor which optical fiber sensor is positioned in the blood flow passage in a restricted flow area. The fiber optical differential pressure fluid sensor is connected to a divided interferometer associated with an opto-electronic demodulator which has an output signal representing the differential pressure in the sensed area. The device also has utility in industrial applications.
Claims16
A fiber optic fluid differential pressure measuring device comprising a radiant energy emitting means having a predetermined coherence length an optical fiber sensor configured as an interferometer segment mounted on an optic fiber;
- said sensor interferometer segment causing path deviations of a measuring beam to be greater than the coherence length of the radiant energy emitted from said radiant energy emitting means;
- a pair of orifices adapted to be in communication with the fluid pressure to measured, said orifices positioned at each end of the optical fiber sensor segment;
- means for positioning said optical fiber sensor segment in the fluid to be measured;
- means for creating constriction in the fluid to be measured spaced between the pair of orifices;
- a fiber optical demodulator interferometer segment;
- said demodulator interferometer segment causing the path length of the said measuring beam to be within the coherence length of said radiant energy emitting means;
- means connecting the optical fiber sensor interferometer segment to the demodulator interferometer segment, said radiant energy emitting means directing radiant energy to the sensor interferometer segment through the optic fiber;
- and radiant energy detecting means connected to said demodulator interferometer segment.
Means for measuring fluid flow in arteries and veins comprising a radiant energy emitting means having a predetermined coherence length a catheter;
- a single optical fiber;
- a fiber optic differential fluid pressure sensor configured as an interferometer segment housed in the catheter and mounted on said optical fiber;
- said sensor segment causing path deviations of a measuring beam to be greater than the coherence length of the radiant energy emitted from said radiant energy emitting means;
- a pair of orifices, positioned one at each end of the sensor segment;
- an enlarged zone formed on the catheter spaced between the pair of orifices;
- a fiber optical demodulator interferometer segment, said demodulator interferometer segment causing the path length of the said measuring beam to be within the coherence length of said radiant energy emitting means;
- means connecting the optical fiber sensor segment to the demodulator interferometer segment, said radiant energy emitting means directing radiant energy to said sensor segment;
- and radiant energy detector means connected to said demodulator interferometer segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.