Optical Fiber Goniometer for Human Joint Measurement

Human joint movement measurement is essential in clinical diagnostics, rehabilitation, and sports monitoring. Traditional mechanical goniometers often lack accuracy for complex joints like the ankle, elbow, and wrist, struggle with small angular measurements, and are unsuitable for continuous real-time monitoring.This project develops an Optical Fibre Goniometer that leverages the bending sensitivity of optical fibers for precise joint angle measurement. Using a single-mode optical fiber and a laser source, macrobending losses due to joint movement are measured and converted into electrical signals via a photodetector. An Arduino microcontroller processes the data, which is visualized in real-time using LabVIEW. The non-invasive, adaptable design ensures superior accuracy and flexibility, making it valuable for medical diagnostics, rehabilitation, and sports training. The project concludes with a successful prototype development, demonstrating enhanced performance in joint angle measurement and laying a foundation for future research in wearable medical technology.