Optical fibre bile sensor for enterogastric reflux detection

A new method for entero-gastric reflux detection by optical fibres is described. Its working principle is based on the spectrophotometric properties of the bile and represents a direct method for the measurement of the reflux, showing many advantages in comparison with the traditional indirect methods of detection. On this basis. an optical fibre sensor was developed and industrialized. making use of two light-emitting diodes (for the signal and reference, respectively) and of a special electronic circuit which processes the signals and provides the read-out on a display. Measurements on several patients were carried out and the experimental results are discussed here.