Venous occlusion plethysmography using a fiber-optic sensor

The results of comparative testing of a fiber-optic sensor used as an alternative method for limb blood flow assessment by venous occlusion plethysmography are presented. The measurement of volume changes following venous occlusion was performed with a variety of methods, including the commonly used mercury strain-gauge, which suffers temperature drift and long-term instability as well as environmental problems (the marketing of mercury sensors is prohibited, beginning in 1993). The evaluation and optimization of the fiber optic microbending sensor is described in detail, along with results of the comparison with the mercury sensor for lower limb blood flow measurements.