Fiber Optical Micro-Sensor for Measuring Tendon Forces

用于测量肌腱力的光纤微型传感器

• 批准号: 6643184
• 负责人: Gregory P Behrmann
• 金额: $ 9.98万
• 依托单位: EM PHOTONICS, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-04-15 至 2003-10-15
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6643184
• 关键词: bioengineering /biomedical engineering; bioimaging /biomedical imaging; biomechanics; biomedical equipment development; biosensor device; fiber optics; measurement; monitoring device; tendon injury; tendons

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ability to accurately measure in vivo tendon forces would have a broad impact on assistive technologies as well as our scientific understanding of the human neuromuscular control system. Myoelectric prosthetics and functional electrical stimulation devices could utilize closed-loop control strategies to restore motor function in disabled populations. From a basic sciences perspective, researchers could accurately study soft tissue properties, neuromuscular function, and motor performance directly, rather than having to rely on inaccurate, numerical approximations of these systems. The long-term objective of our proposed research is to develop a commercial device that accurately measures in vivo tendon forces with minimal invasiveness. Fiber optic technology is well suited for this application because of its microscopic size and high sensitivity. Furthermore, fiber optics sensors can easily be made biocompatible, require no external energy sources, and are immune to electromagnetic interference effects such as those found within most imaging systems like MRI. We propose that optical fiber sensors based on micro-bend fibers and fiber Bragg gratings will prove superior to the bare plastic fibers used in previous investigations. We will assess the performance of each of these fiber configurations during bench-top mechanical testing on human cadavers tendons. Using an Instron(r) material testing device, known tensile loads will be applied to the tendon, while corresponding voltages emitted from the sensor will be recorded. The performance of each fiber configuration will be based on numerous mechanical and electrical outcome measures. Using the optimal configuration determined during Phase I, we plan to test this sensor in both animal and human preparations as part of a Phase II SBIR proposal. The target user for the Stage I sensor developed during our proposed research will be academic and commercial laboratories where the sensor can be inserted, the experiments performed, and the sensor removed. Future development of a Stage II sensor will collapse the necessary electronics onto a micro-size chip that can be implanted for chronic monitoring of in vivo tendon forces, and can potentially interface directly with various assistive devices.

描述（由申请人提供）：准确测量体内肌腱力的能力将对辅助技术以及我们对人类神经肌肉控制系统的科学理解产生广泛的影响。肌电假肢和功能性电刺激装置可以利用闭环控制策略来恢复残疾人群的运动功能。从基础科学的角度来看，研究人员可以直接准确地研究软组织特性、神经肌肉功能和运动表现，而不必依赖这些系统的不准确的数值近似。 我们提出的研究的长期目标是开发一种商业设备，能够以最小的侵入性准确测量体内肌腱力。光纤技术因其微观尺寸和高灵敏度而非常适合这种应用。此外，光纤传感器可以很容易地实现生物相容性，不需要外部能源，并且不受电磁干扰效应的影响，例如大多数成像系统（如 MRI）中存在的电磁干扰效应。 我们认为，基于微弯曲光纤和光纤布拉格光栅的光纤传感器将优于先前研究中使用的裸塑料光纤。我们将在人体肌腱的台式机械测试中评估每种纤维配置的性能。使用 Instron(r) 材料测试设备，将已知的拉伸载荷施加到肌腱上，同时记录从传感器发出的相应电压。每种光纤配置的性能将基于众多机械和电气结果测量。作为第二阶段 SBIR 提案的一部分，我们计划使用第一阶段确定的最佳配置在动物和人体制剂中测试该传感器。 在我们提议的研究中开发的第一阶段传感器的目标用户将是学术和商业实验室，可以在其中插入传感器、进行实验和移除传感器。第二阶段传感器的未来开发将把必要的电子器件折叠到微型芯片上，该芯片可以植入该芯片以长期监测体内肌腱力，并有可能直接与各种辅助设备连接。