Optoelectrical Sensors for Monitoring of Oxygen- and Phototherapy

Abstract

This thesis is devoted to the design of two optoelectronic sensors systems to monitor the treatment of jaundice by phototherapy and conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with oxygen therapy. Research has been done to characterize the treatment given to neonates at St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, characterize the components and placement for the sensors and to optically measure pH-changes in blood.

These sensors are meant to optimize treatment time for jaundice and the oxygen flow for oxygen therapy. This will be granting higher patient safety and less over treatment as well as reducing cost in form of materials, consumables and hospital stays.

Measurements has shown a factor of 0.6488 between intensity measurements at the hospital compared to the theoretical intensity absorbed by bilirubin. Optical measurements of blood with different pH-values gave small to none difference with a pH ranging from 6.8 to 7.9. For the blood measurement hemoglobin, blood cells and whole blood has been tested.