Fiberoptic Sensor Technologies, Inc.

John Pidorenko

Robert F Hodge

Alan R Hoffman

Wei-Min Wang

A system and method for initializing and calibrating a fiber optic pressure transducer so that a measured intensity of light which varies as a function of pressure can be accurately translated to the value of pressure which produces that value of light intensity. The transducer includes an enclosed sensor tip having a diaphragm which is exposed to atmospheric pressure on the inside and the pressure to be determined on the outside as measurements are taken, the resulting pressure differential producing a related attenuation in light intensity. Calibration according to the present invention is performed by exposing the diaphragm to atmospheric pressure on the outside and sub-atmospheric pressure on the inside while transmitting light through the fiber in the usual manner. The sub-atmospheric pressure is changed gradually as simultaneous measurements are made of the intensity of light returned through the fiber and the actual value of the sub-atmospheric pressure at a number of discrete times. The paired values are stored in a look-up table which is subsequently used to determine unknown pressures from matched values of measured light intensity.

Vacuum calibration system and method for fiberoptic pressure transducer

A miniaturized pressure transducer, particularly suited for intravascular blood pressure measurement, utilizing a single optical fiber for transmitting light both to and from a flexible diaphragm having a light-reflecting surface on one side, the opposite side being exposed to and deflected in accordance with the pressure being measured. The end of the fiber through which light is transmitted to and reflected light received from the diaphragm is ground to form a spherical lens integral with the fiber, whereby light passing through the end of the fiber is focused at a predetermined focal point. The fiber is axially positioned so that the center of the diaphragm, which coincides with the lens axis, is at the focal point when the diaphragm is at maximum deflection, i.e., when its opposite surface is exposed to a predetermined, maximum anticipated pressure.

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

John Pidorenko