Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPMSensor for the real-time monitoring of respiratory air oxygen levels by way of fluorescence quenching
Blood oxygen levels indicate how well the lungs are functioning, how effectively oxygen is being transported and absorbed, and the state of metabolic activity in tissue. This is why the continuous monitoring of oxygenation is not just crucial in intensive care but also during emergency treatment and for monitoring the progress of lung diseases. While invasive methods for determining oxygen levels are precise, they are often not practical and also expensive. Non-invasive methods, on the other hand, have been too imprecise to date.
The BREATH project aims to develop a non-invasive sensor for the real-time monitoring of oxygen levels in respiratory air based on fluorescence quenching. The goal is to create an inexpensive sensor system design for precise O2 measurement in respiratory air.
To this end, Fraunhofer IPM is developing and analyzing fluorophores that enable the quick determination of O2 concentration thanks to their interaction with oxygen and the resulting fluorescence quenching. In addition, a measurement system is being developed for the characterization of fluorescent light including data interpretation. Based on gas measurements under laboratory or simulated real conditions, the developed layers and the overall measurement system are analyzed for sensitivity, temperature resistance and influencing factors such as relative humidity, cross-sensitivity and long-term stability.
Project financing
The BREATH project is financed by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (SME project).
Project duration
January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023