Venous occlusion plethysmography using a fiber-optic sensor.

This paper presents the results of comparative testing of a fiber-optic sensor used as an alternative to the mercury strain-gauge in a clinically well-established technique for limb blood flow assessment, venous occlusion plethysmography. In this research the measurement of volume changes following venous occlusion has been performed with a variety of methods including the commonly used mercury strain-gauge. Temperature drift and long-term instability are problems associated with the mercury strain-gauge. In addition, environmental protection authorities are prohibiting the marketing of mercury sensors, beginning in 1993. Evaluation and optimization of the fiber optic microbending sensor is described in detail. Comparison with the mercury strain-gauge sensor is made for in lower limb blood flow measurements.