Conclusion, limitations and challenges

Textiles based on optical fibers offer a multitude of possibilities as mechanical or biochemical sensors, and thus show great potential for many applications, particularly in the medical field. However, until now, these systems have only been marketed in niche markets.

On the one hand, the costs of these fibers and the optical system, including connectors and a spectrometer, are higher than for conventional sensors. What's more, sensors used in the medical, aeronautical or construction sectors have to be robust and reliable. On the other hand, in medicine, they have to meet the requirements of medical device regulations, and such approval is very costly since it requires, among other things, clinical trials with several dozen patients.

Fiber optic sensors must guarantee repeatability and reproducibility of results over the entire lifetime...