An electromagnetic intravascular blood-flow sensor.

Abstract

A new mode of application of the electromagnetic flow meter is described which could be used to measure the rate of blood flow through internal organs of humans without surgical exposure of the artery. In vitro and in vivo using anesthetized dogs, an electromagnetic flow sensor located near the tip of a catheter was introduced into the aorta and pressed by a special terminal spring attached to the end of the flow probe against the entrance opening of a branch artery. All the blood entering the arterial branch had to pass through the flow transducer. The blood flow through a specific internal organ supplied by a branch of the aorta can thus be measured and recorded. The zero-flow base line can be established in several ways without interruption of the blood flow and without de-energizing the magnet.