Performance assessment of FBG temperature sensors for laser ablation of tumors

The paper presents the characterization results of temperature sensors designed to be employed during thermal treatments of tumors, such as in the laser ablation of malignant cells. The developed sensors are based on Fiber Bragg Gratings, a sensing element able to measure the temperature in proximity of the laser beam without significantly modifying the radiation pattern or perturb the temperature at the sensor site. Different sensor embodiments are analyzed and compared in term of linearity and dynamic response; then a preliminary test during an emulated ablation using a phantom is also presented.