Micro-Machineed Catheter Sensor Systematization for In-Situ Breathing and Optical Imaging Measurements in Bronchus Region in Lung System

A novel catheter sensor system was developed for performing in-situ breathing measurements and optical imaging in the bronchus of the lung. A tube flow sensor was fabricated by attaching sensor film to a tube with the diameter of 2.0 mm. Medical basket forceps were inserted into the space inside the tube flow sensor in order to fix its position in the airway. The flow sensor and optical fiberscope were installed together in a tube 5.0 mm in diameter. The resulting catheter sensor system was inserted into a rabbit airway by using an optical fiberscope, and it could directly and simultaneously measure the breathing airflow volume and take images of the inside surface of the rabbit airway.