This invention concerns a position and orientation sensor designed for use with existing ultrasound instrumentation to permit the real-time measurement of blood volume flow rate within a vessel.

Technology Development & Commercialization

Summary of Invention:

This invention concerns a position and orientation sensor designed for use with existing ultrasound instrumentation to permit the real-time measurement of blood volume flow rate within a vessel. Real-time measurement of blood volume flow rate is achieved by placement of a transmitter at a fixed location near the patient and a receiver on the ultrasound scan head. The ability of this sensor to continuously report on the position and orientation of measured blood velocities in two dimensions allows for a precise measurement of the blood volume flow rate within a vessel. In the past, blood volume flow rate has been estimated based on blood velocity determinations taken at a single stationary point at the center of the vessel assuming a parabolic velocity profile and circular vessel diameter. Apart from uncertainties inherent to these assumptions, estimates of blood volume flow rate have been sensitive to positioning of the ultrasound scan head. The present invention provides for a more accurate means of measuring blood volume flow rate within a vessel.

Pulsed doppler ultrasound instruments are routinely used in making quantitative determinations of blood velocity (e.g., millimetres per second) within small well-defined tissue volumes (e.g., arteries, veins). However, a measure-ment of blood volume flow rate may be a better indicator of the state of cardiovascular disease (e.g., stenosis or narrowing of blood vessels, blockage resulting from arteriovenous or arterial malformations or abnormalities). Blood volume flow rate is an integration of the individual velocities obtained for a given volume of blood passing through a vessel over an established period of time (e.g., millilitres per minute). 

Market Opportunity:

Peripheral vascular disease is known to impact the lives of millions of individuals over the age of 50 living within the United States, and remains undiagnosed in greater than 10 million men and women. If diagnosed early, peripheral vascular disease can be treated with lifestyle changes and inexpensive drugs. However, if left undiagnosed, peripheral vascular disease may lead to severe complications, including heart attack and stroke. There are currently more than 150,000 ultrasound instruments in clinical use worldwide. It is estimated that 3,000 surgeons within the United States rely on non-invasive ultrasound procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular disease. As a result, the market for the use of our ultrasonic blood volume flow rate meter in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease is significant.

Patents issued within the United States and Canada.

The technology is available for licensing and/or collaborative research and development with an industry partner.