Flow rate measurement
US4316391A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1979 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/704
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method is presented for measuring fluid flow rate in a system having a conduit through which the fluid flows. The method is particularly useful for measuring blood flow rate in a cardiovascular system. A substance which provides a plurality of microbubbles is added to the fluid flow system upstream of the measurement position in the conduit. An ultrasonic pulse is generated from a position opposite and spaced from the conduit as the microbubbles pass therethrough. A reflected ultrasonic image, created by reflection of the pulse from at least the wall of the conduit which is distal from said position, is measured. The fluid flow rate within the conduit is determined from these ultrasonic images using dye dilution techniques. In a living being, the pulse is preferably generated adjacent the rib cage or in the esophagus and the conduit is preferably the heart or the pulmonary artery, whereby, the blood flow rate determined is equal to the volumetric cardiac output rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.