摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus are disclosed for noninvasively detecting the location of a constriction in a vessel through which a conductive fluid is flowing by externally measuring the streaming potentials generated by the flowing fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention detects the location of atherosclerotic lesions in human arteries through which the blood is being pumped in a pulsatile manner. The lesion creates a turbulent flow in the blood which in turn results in a significantly larger streaming potential being generated. The apparatus comprises two closely spaced apart, passive electrodes, which can be relatively movably mounted on a housing and a voltage detecting device, such as an oscilloscope, coupled to the electrodes.</p> |