Blood Flow Determination Using Simultaneous Multi-Point Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining blood flow within a blood vessel, such as continuous thermodilution, suffer from inaccuracies due to the need to measure temperatures at different locations sequentially, which can lead to inconsistent results and require cumbersome movement of a guidewire.
Innovation Solution
A system that simultaneously measures temperature values at multiple locations along a blood vessel using an optical fiber and swept-wavelength interferometry, allowing for the determination of blood flow based on the measured temperatures and infusion rate without the need for guidewire movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential temperature measurements are performed at different locations using a guidewire, then the blood flow can be determined, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inconsistent results and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is divided into multiple sensing sections along its length, with each section capable of independently measuring temperature at its specific location. This segmentation allows simultaneous temperature measurements at multiple positions without moving the sensor, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal sequencing of measurements to spatial distribution of sensing capabilities. By embedding temperature sensors at multiple locations along the optical fiber, the system performs parallel measurements across different spatial positions, eliminating the need for sequential guidewire movement while maintaining measurement consistency.
2Measurement precision
If sequential temperature measurements are performed, then the blood flow determination can be completed, but the measurement time increases and results may become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensing system enables continuous, simultaneous temperature measurements at multiple locations without interruption. The distributed sensing allows the system to continuously monitor temperature profiles along the blood vessel, eliminating measurement gaps and ensuring consistency while reducing total measurement time compared to sequential approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is pre-positioned within the blood vessel during the catheterization procedure, establishing the sensing network before blood flow determination is needed. This preliminary placement allows immediate simultaneous measurements to be taken without requiring subsequent guidewire manipulation or repeated positioning, thereby reducing measurement time and ensuring consistency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of blood flow determination by ensuring that temperature measurements are taken under the same conditions, reducing user cumbersome and improving the reliability of the results.
Implementation Method 1
using an optical fiber and swept-wavelength interferometry
Implementation Method 2
a fluid infusion unit for continuously infusing a fluid into the blood vessel with an infusion rate such that a mixture of the fluid and the blood is generated within the blood vessel
Implementation Method 3
the temperatures of i) the blood, ii) the injected fluid and iii) the mixture of the blood and the fluid are measured and wherein these temperatures are used for determining the blood flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for determining blood flow within a blood vessel (18). A fluid infusion unit (4, 10, 11) continuously infuses a fluid into the blood vessel, and a temperature values determining unit (14, 21) determines simultaneously a first temperature value at a first location and a second temperature value at a second location such that the first temperature value is indicative of the temperature of the fluid and the second temperature value is indicative of the temperature of a mixture of the fluid and the blood. The blood flow is determined based on the measured first and second temperature values and the infusion rate. This kind of determining the blood flow leads to an increased accuracy and is less cumbersome than known techniques requiring a movement of a temperature sensor for measuring temperatures at different locations.