Transcutaneous Doppler flow detection as a nondestructive technique.

Abstract

The human skin constitutes an important barrier to acquiring information regarding cardiovascular function on a routine basis. The techniques for detecting changes in blood have been reviewed to illustrate that a limited number of the available techniques are adaptable to humans and very few are nondestructive in the sense that they involve no pain, hazard, or damage to the skin. Recent developments in electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters provide a good example of the spectacular rewards obtained from flowmeters with good dynamic responses. A new ultrasonic flowmeter has been developed to continuously indicate changing blood flow velocity in superficial or deep vessels by simply applying a transducer to the skin surface over strategic sites. The applications of this transcutaneous Doppler flowmeter to both physiological and clinical investigations are critically evaluated. It can be applied to both physiological and clinical problems. To the extent that this device proves useful, it will serve as an example of the importance of developing an expanding array of nondestructive testing devices for all fields of medicine.