Biomedical application of optical fibre sensors

Optical fibres functionalised with chemically sensitive layers offer a powerful platform for the development of sensing systems with a wide range of potential applications, ranging from the monitoring of industrial processes to healthcare. Sensors based upon optical fibres to probe the optical characteristics of nanomaterials that exhibit changes in their optical properties upon exposure to targeted chemical species are particularly attractive, due to their potential high sensitivity, selectivity, the ready ability to multiplex arrays of sensors, and the prospect for remote sensing. This paper provides examples of the application of optical fibres sensors to improve the functionality of the medical devices, for biomarker detection and drug monitoring, and draws upon work that has been conducted as collaboration between teams at the Universities of Kitakyushu, Cranfield and Nottingham.