Ultrasound probe for measuring blood flow - has catheter housing flexible rod coupled to support with ultrasound transducers and attached to mechanism for handling support inside patient oesophagus

摘要

The probe includes a catheter (1) which houses a flexible rod (2) coupled to a support (3). Ultrasound transducers (4,5) are mounted on the support. The transducers are linked via an electrical cable (7) to a control unit (8). The opposite extremity of the rod is attached to a handling mechanism (9). The probe is inserted into the oesophagus of a patient while the support is moved along, using the handling mechanism, so that the two transducers are located in a suitable position for measurements. USE/ADVANTAGE - For measuring with accuracy liquid rate e.g blood flow. Enables precise measurements across whole flow section. Can be used to measure blood flow during diastole and systole.