The CiS Research Institute starts developments on a miniaturized optical sensor for investigations of blood flow velocity in the skin. The sensor principle is based on the laser Doppler method. Here, elastic scattering at the moving blood components causes a shift of the light wavelength, which becomes measurable by coherent superposition with the excitation light.
The minaturized component is based on the institute’s MORES® technology, in which the light source (here a VCSEL) can be integrated directly into the sensor chip by 3D structuring of silicon. The research project is now investigating whether a combination of different laser wavelengths in one sensor can be used to obtain not only the blood flow contour curve but also depth information on perfusion.
Compared to commercially available solutions, the compact sensor operates completely without optical fibers. This should enable monitoring applications. In addition, it is being evaluated whether, in combination with an in-ear PPG sensor, access to new medically relevant parameters will be possible.
Interested partners from industry are invited to participate in the evaluation of the system.
The research and development work is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (FKZ: VF140011).
Project presentation at:
SENSOR+TEST, May 19-21, 2015, Nuremberg, Hall 12 Booth 132
