The Dow Chemical Company

Jerry D Moseley

Theodore L Parker

David R Pedersen

The present invention pertains to a flexible organic polymeric optical fiber core having an adherent flexible organic polymeric cladding on the outer surface. Preferably, the polymeric core has a refractive index which is at least 0.01 units greater than the refractive index of the polymeric polyurethane cladding. More particularly, the invention relates to an organic polymeric optical fiber for in vivo use in the tissue of a living mammal, preferably a human being. In addition to compatibility in live tissue and body fluids, such a fiber must be capable of repeatedly being deformed in a small bend radius without losing the ability to transmit light. The clad optical fibers are useful to measure levels of components (e.g. pH, oxygen, carbon dioxide) in moving living tissue, such as the heart or lungs.

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Walnut Creek, CA, United States of America

Jerry D Moseley