New fiber optic sensor for detecting in situ the concentration of pharmaceuticals in blood

This paper introduces a new fiber optic sensor which can detect in situ the concentration of pharmaceuticals in blood (CPB). A fiber optic probe is designed in the shape of `Y' type. It can be directly inserted in the blood vessel. Ultraviolet light is coupled into one branch of the probe and transported to the top of the fiber thus induces the pharmaceuticals in blood to emit fluorescence. The fluorescence is collected by another branch of the same probe and propagated to a spectrometer. Analyzing the wavelength and the intensity of the fluorescent spectrum, we can get the results about the concentration and composition of pharmaceuticals in blood. The emphasis of this paper is placed on the design of a fiber optic probe. Through proper matching of optical fibers, the probe can transport the ultraviolet light and collect the fluorescence simultaneously. The efficiency of the probe to collect fluorescence is higher than that of before.