Industry Intelligence

Fibre-Optic Catheter Pressure Transducer Developed for Low-Cost Applications

Using the proprietary white-light interferometric interrogation technique, a fibre-optic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure transducer provides in vivo blood pressure, intrauterine, and intracranial measurements in disposable or reusable applications. The device was developed by Fiso Technologies (Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada) to satisfy the medical industry's need for an extremely small catheter-tip pressure transducer that would not be affected by electrical interference, according to company president Claude Belleville.

Equipped with a 0.55-mm tip and 0.25-mm cable, the Model FOP-M-055-300 device is insensitive to cable bending and high levels of electromagnetic and radio-frequency noise "that typically plague physiological measurements," says Belleville. It also minimizes inaccurate pressure readings, he adds, "because of its proximity to the measurement site."

Integrated into a catheter, Fiso's pressure sensor exhibits a 50-Hz frequency response. Other designs rely on technologies that are less sensitive to frequencies. In addition, the pressure-sensing element in other designs is situated at some distance from the measurement site, thereby running the risk of generating inaccurate readings, according to Belleville.

Fiso's sensor is accurate at 25°C to ±1% of the reading or 1 mmHg, whichever is greater, and exhibits low drift over time. Temperature sensitivity over the 20°–80°C range is <0.2 mmHg per degree centigrade.

For more information, contact Fiso Technologies, 2014 Jean-Talon N., Ste. 125, Sainte-Foy, QC G1N 4N6, Canada; phone: +1 418 6888065; fax: +1 418 6888067; Internet: http://www.fiso.com; e-mail: sales@fiso.com.

—Norbert Sparrow