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Abstract

A fiber optic pressure catheter includes a light source, an optical fiber coupled to receive light from the light source and a sensor head that is optically coupled to the optical fiber. The sensor head has a housing defining a chamber coupled to an end of the optical fiber opposite the light source. The housing has an opening which is enclosed by a membrane. The membrane is responsive to pressure differentials between the chamber and outside the sensor head. A resilient ribbon is coupled within the chamber and has a first end fixedly coupled to a support. The ribbon has a second end that is movable in front of the optical fiber. The ribbon is mounted so that the middle portion of the ribbon touches the membrane and is biased by the membrane in response to various pressure differentials. Thus, various amounts of light are reflected back into the optical fiber based on the amount of pressure at the membrane. A detection system is optically coupled to the optical fiber which determines the pressure at the sensor head from the contrast of spectral fringes of light created by an optical coating on the end of the optical fiber and the light reflecting from the ribbon.

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First Claim