Abstract
An experimental setup has been developed for different gas species sensing based on the Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS) principle. The target is the measurement of ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane concentrations. The WMS is a rather sensitive technique for detecting atomic/molecular species presenting the advantage that it can be used in the near-infrared region using optical telecommunications technology. In this technique, the laser wavelength and intensity are modulated applying a sine wave signal through the injection current, which allows the shift of the detection bandwidth to higher frequencies where laser intensity noise is reduced. The wavelength modulated laser light is tuned to the absorption line of the target gas and the absorption information can be retrieved by means of synchronous detection using a lock-in amplifier, where the amplitude of the second harmonic of the laser modulation frequency is proportional to the gas concentration. The amplitude of the second harmonic is normalised by the average laser intensity and detector gain through a LabVIEW (R) application, where the main advantage of normalising is that the effects of laser output power fluctuations and any variations in laser transmission, or optical-electrical detector gain are eliminated. Two types of sensing heads based on free space light propagation with different optical path length were used, permitting redundancy operation and technology validation.

Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to measure the intradiscal pressure signal of an anesthetized sheep under spontaneous breathing. An ultra-miniature fiber optic high-pressure sensor was implanted into the nucleus pulposus of the fifth lumbar intervertebral using a dorsolateral transforaminal approach. Results suggested the periodicity of the intradiscal pressure signal was similar to the mean respiratory rate of the animal. The average resting intradiscal pressure was also calculated and compared to available data. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Abstract
In this article, it is proposed an interrogation and multiplexing system based on optical time domain reflectometer for fiber loop mirror coupled intensity sensors. Pulse width of approximately 100 ns enabled to attain a dynamic range of approximately 18 dB. Good linearity was achieved with a -13.3 dB/mm slope. The resolution of the sensing head was 0.027 mm. The proposed interrogation system showed to be an alternative technique for multiplexing and remote sensing. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract
In this paper it is proposed an interrogation system based on OTDR for fiber loop mirror intensity sensors. The system has been characterized in order to obtain its maximum dynamic range. The technique demonstrated good linearity with a - 13.3 dB/mm slope. A 0.027 mm resolution was achieved. The proposed interrogation system permits multiplexing of around 10 sensors and showed to be an alternative technique for multiplexing and remote sensing.

Abstract
The pressure measured in the intervertebral discs is a response to the loads acting on the spine. External loads, such as the reaction forces resulting from locomotion, manual handling and collisions are probably the most relevant in studying spine trauma. However, the physiological functions such as breathing and hearth rate also participate in subtle variations of intradiscal pressure that can be observed only in vivo at resting. Present work is an effort to measure the effect of breathing on intradiscal pressure of an anesthetized sheep.

Abstract
A micro-displacement sensing head based on two aligned cleaved fibers inserted into an optical fiber ring and interrogated by an optical time-domain reflectometry is presented. The sensor configuration is characterized for measuring both longitudinal and axial micro-displacements, showing a sensitivity of 0.07 and 2.67 dB/mu m for longitudinal and axial micro-displacements, respectively. A multiplexing system using two of these configurations is also studied.