Fiber optic probes

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use having an optical fiber, the probe configured to provide in at least one sensing location an active fiber laser providing a varying optical output in use dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body,

• wherein said active fiber laser comprises a fiber having a fiber cladding and wherein said sensing location is provided with a sensing element in the form of a reactive coating which is disposed directly or indirectly on the fiber cladding, and wherein the coating is configured to create a strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, the strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber;
• further comprising a protective membrane arranged over the reactive coating, said membrane allowing measurement of a particular parameter but providing in use a barrier between said coating and a body material
• wherein the membrane is arranged to allow selected target molecules to diffuse from the body side through to the coating material forming the sensing element.

A probe as claimed in claim 75 wherein the coating is formed from one or more of a plurality of different materials, each material responsive to a selected physical or chemical parameter within the body.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which is configured to provide in at least one sensing location an active fiber laser providing a varying optical output in use dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising at said sensing location at least one sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein said sensing element comprises a reactive material immobilized on a solid support medium, said solid support medium acting as a selective element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use having an optical fiber, the probe configured to provide in at least one sensing location an active fiber laser providing a varying optical output in use dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body,

• wherein a rigid or semi-rigid housing or a sleeve is provided around the fiber at the sensing location thereof, wherein a sensing element is provided in an annular cavity defined between the housing or sleeve and the fiber, and
• wherein the sensing element is a chemical or biochemical sensor, and wherein the sleeve or housing is configured to allow the ingress of a target measurand.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which is configured to provide in at least one sensing location an active fiber laser providing a varying optical output in use dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising at said sensing location at least one sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein the sensing element comprises a reactive material dispersed or immobilized in a fluid or gel, wherein the fluid or gel swells or contracts in response to a target measurand.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which is configured to provide in at least one sensing location an active fiber laser providing a varying optical output in use dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising at said sensing location at least one sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein the sensing element comprises micro-spherical balls, provided with additives generating chemical selectivity for a selected group of molecules.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which comprises an optical fiber, the probe having at least one sensing location including an active FBG laser or a passive FBG device providing a birefringent optical output or response dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising a sensing element at said sensing location, said sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein the sensing element comprises a reactive material dispersed or immobilized in a fluid or gel, wherein the fluid or gel swells or contracts in response to a target measurand.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which comprises an optical fiber, the probe having at least one sensing location including an active FBG laser or a passive FBG device providing a birefringent optical output or response dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body,

• wherein said fiber has a fiber cladding and wherein said sensing location is provided with a sensing element in the form of a reactive coating which is disposed directly or indirectly on the fiber cladding, and wherein the coating is configured to create a strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, the strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber;
• further comprising a protective membrane arranged over the reactive coating, said membrane allowing measurement of a particular parameter but providing in use a barrier between said coating and a body material, and
• wherein the membrane is arranged to allow selected target molecules to diffuse from the body side through to the coating material forming the sensing element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which comprises an optical fiber, the probe having at least one sensing location including an active FBG laser or a passive FBG device providing a birefringent optical output or response dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body,

• wherein a rigid or semi-rigid housing or a sleeve is provided around the fiber at the sensing location thereof, wherein a sensing element is provided in an annular cavity defined between the housing or sleeve and the fiber, and
• wherein the sensing element is a chemical or biochemical sensor, and wherein the sleeve or housing is configured to allow the ingress of a target measurand.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which comprises an optical fiber, the probe having at least one sensing location including an active FBG laser or a passive FBG device providing a birefringent optical output or response dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising a sensing element at said sensing location, said sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein said sensing element comprises a reactive material immobilized on a solid support medium, said solid support medium acting as a selective element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use which comprises an optical fiber, the probe having at least one sensing location including an active FBG laser or a passive FBG device providing a birefringent optical output or response dependent upon at least one parameter to be measured within a human or animal body, said probe further comprising a sensing element at said sensing location, said sensing element comprising a mass of reactive material,

• wherein the sensing element comprises micro-spherical balls, provided with additives generating chemical selectivity for a selected group of molecules.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use comprising an optical fiber, wherein at least one sensing location of the fiber is provided with a reactive coating configured to create strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, such strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber, wherein the reactive coating follows the contour of the fiber, and wherein the reactive coating comprises a reactive material dispersed or immobilized in a fluid or gel, wherein the fluid or gel swells or contracts in response to a target measurand.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use comprising an optical fiber and a protective membrane arranged over the reactive coating, said membrane allowing measurement of a particular parameter but providing in use a barrier between said coating and a body material,

• wherein at least one sensing location of the fiber is provided with a reactive coating configured to create strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, such strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber, wherein the reactive coating follows the contour of the fiber, and wherein the membrane is arranged to allow selected target molecules to diffuse from the body side through to the coating material forming a sensing element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use comprising an optical fiber, wherein at least one sensing location of the fiber is provided with a reactive coating configured to create strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, such strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber, wherein the reactive coating follows the contour of the fiber, and wherein the reactive coating comprises a reactive material immobilized on a solid support medium, said solid support medium acting as a selective element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use comprising an optical fiber, wherein at least one sensing location of the fiber is provided with a reactive coating configured to create strain within the fiber responsive to at least one body parameter to be measured, such strain providing a change in at least one detectable optical property of the fiber, wherein the reactive coating follows the contour of the fiber, and wherein the reactive coating comprises micro-spherical balls, provided with additives generating chemical selectivity for a selected group of molecules.

A fiber optic sensor comprising an optical fiber whose optical response changes at one or more measuring locations in response to generally radially applied stress, the fiber being surrounded at such location or locations by a rigid or semi-rigid housing or sleeve, a reactive sensing element being provided between the sleeve and the fiber, the element being arranged to swell in response to a measurand in order to provide strain within the fiber and to change its optical response,

• wherein the sensing element comprises a reactive material dispersed or immobilized in a fluid or gel, wherein the fluid or gel swells or contracts in response to a target measurand.

A fiber optic sensor comprising an optical fiber whose optical response changes at one or more measuring locations in response to generally radially applied stress, the fiber being surrounded at such location or locations by a rigid or semi-rigid housing or sleeve, a reactive sensing element being provided between the sleeve and the fiber, the element being arranged to swell in response to a measurand in order to provide strain within the fiber and to change its optical response,

• wherein said sensing element comprises a reactive material immobilized on a solid support medium, said solid support medium acting as a selective element.

A body compatible fiber optic probe for invasive medical use comprising an optical fiber, the probe comprising a sensor element formed from a polymer gel material whose volume changes in response to at least one body parameter to be measured, such change in volume creating strain within the fiber to change at least one detectable optical property thereof.