Vital Capacity Measurement using Intensity Modulated Optical Fiber Sensor

The vital capacity is the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs and its measurement helps to diagnose and calculate degree of recovery from lung diseases. In this study, a sensor is developed to measure the vital capacity of human lung. It is developed based on the optical fibre sensing technique. The vital capacity is estimated noninvasively by measuring the volume of air exhaled by the lung into a spherical balloon. The expansion of the balloon is measured by intensity modulated optical fibre sensor and then the vital capacity is estimated. The result from the sensor is compared with a standard reference device. ©, Engineers Australia.