9 – BIOMEDICAL SENSORS

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the operation principles of biomedical sensors, including examples of invasive and noninvasive sensors for measuring biopotentials and other physical and biochemical variables encountered in different clinical and research applications. Biomedical sensors are used routinely in clinical medicine and biological research for measuring a wide range of physiological variables. They are often called biomedical transducers and are the main building blocks of diagnostic medical instrumentation found in physicians' offices, clinical laboratories, and hospitals. The need for accurate medical diagnostic procedures places stringent requirements on the design and use of biomedical sensors. Usually, the first step in developing a biomedical sensor is to assess the accuracy in vitro, operating range, response time, sensitivity, resolution, and reproducibility of the sensor. Later, depending on the intended application, similar in vivo tests may be required to confirm the specifications of the sensor and to assure that the measurement remains sensitive, stable, safe, and cost-effective.Biomedical sensors are usually classified according to the quantity to be measured and are typically categorized as physical, electrical, or chemical, depending on their specific applications.