Fiberoptic biosensors in artificial organs.

A large variety of assay methods based on optical principles can be miniaturized and adapted for use as in vivo monitors with the currently available optical fiber technology. Especially exciting is the capability of adapting the selectivity of immunoassays to continuous on-line biosensors by the use of hollow dialysis fibers. Thus, one can envision biosensors that could have many different applications in artificial organ development, from passive systemic monitoring to active feedback control devices for drug delivery.