In-silico and in-vitro investigation of a photonic monitor for intestinal perfusion and oxygenation

The quantification of visceral organ oxygenation after trauma-related systemic hypovolemia and shock is critical to enable effective resuscitation. In this work, a photoplethysmography-based (PPG) sensor was specifically designed for probing the perfusion and oxygenation condition of intestinal tissue with the ultimate goal to monitor patients post trauma to guide resuscitation. Through Monte Carlo modeling, suitable optofluidic phantoms were determined, the wavelength and separation distance for the sensor was optimized, and sensor performance for the quantification of tissue perfusion and oxygenation was tested on the in-vitro phantom. In particular, the Monte Carlo simulated both a standard block three-layer model and a more realistic model including villi. Measurements were collected on the designed three layer optofluidic phantom and the results taken with the small form factor PPG device showed a marked improvement when using shorter visible wavelengths over the more conventional longer visible wavelengths. Overall, in this work a Monte Carlo model was developed, an optofluidic phantom was built, and a small form factor PPG sensor was developed and characterized using the phantom for perfusion and oxygenation over the visible wavelength range. The results show promise that this small form factor PPG sensor could be used as a future guide to shock-related resuscitation.