Flow Sensor Arrangement for Vascular Bifurcation Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current interventional procedures rely heavily on ionizing radiations and contrast dyes for visualizing vascular structures, which are harmful and have side effects, and existing flow measurement technologies like constant current anemometry have limitations such as low lifetime, low frequency response, and temperature sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor arrangement with multiple sensors on an elongated body, capable of measuring flow in different spatial directions, including the sign of the flow, using wire anemometer sensors and a direction sign evaluation unit, and a temperature compensation system to provide accurate and biocompatible blood flow measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If x-ray based machines and contrast dye are used to visualize vascular structures, then anatomical structures can be visualized, but ionizing radiation harm and kidney impairment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces x-ray imaging with acoustic wave-based flow sensors that detect blood flow characteristics mechanically/physically rather than using ionizing radiation. The sensors measure flow velocity and direction through acoustic principles, eliminating the need for contrast dye and x-ray exposure while still providing vascular structure information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to detect blood flow characteristics. Instead of directly using x-ray and contrast dye, acoustic waves interact with the flowing blood to provide measurement data about vascular structures, serving as a safe intermediary that avoids harmful radiation.
2Measurement precision
If constant current anemometry is used for flow measurement, then flow velocity can be measured, but low lifetime and low frequency response occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the anemometry system by using pulsed acoustic waves instead of continuous electrical current. This allows the sensors to operate in a regime that extends their lifetime while maintaining frequency response capability through the pulsed measurement approach.
3Measurement precision
If constant current anemometry is used for flow measurement, then flow velocity can be measured, but temperature sensitivity and low frequency response occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical constant current anemometry with acoustic wave-based flow detection. Acoustic waves are less sensitive to temperature variations than electrical current, thereby reducing temperature sensitivity while maintaining flow velocity measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If multiple flow sensors are arranged on an elongated body to measure flow in different spatial directions, then flow distribution can be accurately measured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the elongated body with multiple flow sensors that serve multiple functions: each sensor can measure flow velocity, direction, and contribute to mapping vascular structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive flow distribution measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the measurement function into multiple segmented sensors distributed along the elongated body. Each sensor segment measures local flow characteristics, and the collective data from all segments provides comprehensive flow distribution information, making the complex measurement task manageable through segmentation.
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
Enables the identification and localization of vessel bifurcations and side branches without ionizing radiations or contrast dyes, providing accurate and safe blood flow measurements with superior performance and lower production costs compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors sense the blood flow measuring the convective cooling effect of a heated sensor
Implementation Method 2
The temperature of the sensor is about 1 C above the blood temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A flow sensor arrangement (S35, S36, S37, S39, ...) is located on an elongated body (CI, C2, C3, ...) for measuring the flow of a fluid, with one or more flow sensors (S1, S2, S3, ...) being arranged on the elongated body (CI, C2, C3, ...) to measure the flow along different spatial directions.