A Nearable Soft Mat Based on Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing for Physiological Monitoring

Abstract

Distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) combines the advantages of fiber-optic sensors (FOSs), including flexibility, small size, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high metrological performance, with the capability to transform a single optical fiber into a continuous sensing element for spatially resolved mechanical measurements. Optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), based on Rayleigh backscattering, enables high-spatial-resolution DOFS measurements, broadening the range of potential sensing applications. However, OFDR-based DOFS remains largely unexplored for biomedical applications, despite the need for sensitive, spatially resolved, and conformable sensing interfaces. This study presents a soft DOFS-based mat (DM) as a large-area interface for physiological monitoring. A single-mode optical fiber was embedded in a flexible silicone matrix and arranged in a serpentine layout to distribute sensing over the mat surface. With a gauge pitch of 2.6 mm, the system provided 2250 sensing sites across the active area at a sampling frequency of 50 Hz. The mat was assessed on six healthy volunteers in a seated nearable configuration on the backrest of a standard office chair. The distributed output enabled 2-D mapping of the mat response, reflecting back–mat mechanical coupling and cardiorespiratory-induced perturbations. Respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) were therefore estimated and compared with a reference wearable system. The maps revealed physiologically coherent spatial and temporal patterns, while the estimated rates showed good agreement with the reference measurements. These results demonstrate the feasibility of combining large-area distributed sensing, spatial mapping, and quantitative cardiorespiratory monitoring within a DOFS-based soft nearable interface.