Frequent measurement of blood flow changes could improve the ability of health care providers to diagnose and treat patients with vascular conditions, such as those associated with diabetes and high blood pressure.
A U.S.-Chinese team that included researchers from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering(NIBIB) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, both parts of the National Institutes of Health, conducted a pilot study showing that an ultrathin, skin-conforming sensor—resembling a peel-away tattoo—provides non-invasive, precise, and continuous monitoring of circulation, including blood flow within the smallest vessels.
In a study published in the Oct. 30, 2015 issue of Science Advances, the researchers showed that the sensor can measure blood flow in both large and micro-sized blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They also provided details about the design and operation of the device. The researchers assessed the sensor’s performance under various conditions, showing that the technology could be used for continuous blood-flow monitoring during daily activities and in a variety of clinical research and health care settings.
In addition to diabetes and chronic hypertension, conditions that affect the health of blood vessels and surrounding tissue include kidney disease, autoimmune and other inflammatory conditions, the effects of aging and smoking, and a class of cholesterol-related abnormalities called dyslipidemias. Continuous monitoring of variations in blood flow could also be valuable in assessing these conditions in clinical and research scenarios.
The pilot-tested device, which was co-developed with researchers at Northwestern University, is among a variety of tools available to measure blood flow. Other devices, such as ones based on optical or acoustic methods, however, do not work as well when the body is in motion, and thus require a patient or study subject to remain still.
The researchers overcame these challenges with the soft, skin-conforming electronic device that is applied directly onto the skin and uses thermal sensors to collect data on changes in temperature, including those caused by changes in blood flow. The device can also apply a small amount of heat in order to test a subject’s responses. In this mode, a miniature pad in the device generates a heat impulse, while 14 surrounding thermal sensors detect the resulting heat flux. The signal is sent to a computer that calculates the velocity of blood flow occurring within two millimeters of the skin surface.
In their study, the researchers placed the sensor on a study subject’s forearm, over a large, visible vein, and then applied pressure for 60 seconds at various positions near the vein. Each time, the device sensed corresponding reductions in blood flow. The researchers also used a thermal camera that measures infrared signals to confirm that the blood-flow sensor measurements were accurate, even when the subject moved around.
Next, they chose a placement on the forearm that was not near a large vein, so that the device would detect blood flow in micro-sized blood vessels within the underlying tissue. The researchers were able to detect changes in blood flow when the study subject took a deep breath. Members of the team at a collaborating institution performed a separate test that involved delivering a gentle slap to the skin near the electronic sensor, which caused a mild reddening reaction. The sensor registered the skin reaction as an increase of surface temperature, accompanied by a change in the direction of blood flow within two millimeters of the skin’s surface.
According to co-author Alexander Gorbach, Ph.D., head of NIBIB’s Infrared Imaging and Thermometry Unit, the tests performed with the thermal sensor helped to establish a number of guidelines for its use, such as optimal placement of the sensor, and how deeply under the skin’s surface the device can assess blood flow. At this stage, the device shows promise as a low-cost, readily-fabricated sensor for use in ambulatory or hospital-based settings. Because of the link between chronic hypertension and some types of vascular diseases, the new sensor may be a useful addition to studies of hypertension and its consequences.
Read more:Â NIBIB researchers help design and test blood-flow sensor for vascular disease monitoring
The Latest on: Vascular disease monitoring
[google_news title=”” keyword=”vascular disease monitoring” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Vascular disease monitoring
- New guideline focuses on early diagnosis, targeted treatment of peripheral artery diseaseon May 14, 2024 at 7:29 pm
A newly released guideline from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology gives clinicians details on how to treat people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease ...
- Global Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market Poised for Significant Growth, Valued at USD 2,527.9 Million by 2034on May 14, 2024 at 7:04 pm
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market value is forecasted to hit USD 2,527.9 million By 2034 with a CAGR of 7.7%.
- GE HealthCare and Medis Medical Imaging Announce Collaboration Focused on Non-Invasive Coronary Assessments to Help Advance Precision Care in Treatment of Coronary Artery Diseaseon May 14, 2024 at 10:00 am
GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC), a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions innovator, and Medis Medica ...
- Adding cardiovascular biomarkers to established risk factors increases risk predictionon May 14, 2024 at 8:20 am
The addition of cardiovascular biomarkers to established risk factors leads to a small improvement in risk prediction of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online May 13 in the ...
- OMRON Healthcare India collaborates with AliveCor to launch portable ECG monitoring devices in Indiaon May 13, 2024 at 1:19 am
With a deeper dive into cardiovascular health, the company has unearthed the crucial role of Afib as a significant contributor to stroke and cardiovascular disease risk, it stated.
- Home Self monitoring of BP and dose titration of drugs may improve long term BP control: JAMAon May 12, 2024 at 8:15 pm
Researchers in a recent study have found that patient empowerment through self-management strategies can be effective in controlling chronic diseases like diabetes, but its application in ...
- Why Obstetric History Matters When Assessing CV Risk in Women With Autoimmune Diseaseon May 9, 2024 at 3:26 am
A history of pregnancy complications can put women with autoimmune disease at a higher risk for CVD. Prophylaxis during pregnancy may avoid those complications in the first place.
- Global Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market by Type, Application, Procedure, End User, and Region - Forecast to 2029on May 9, 2024 at 2:05 am
Market is driven by factors such as rising public awareness campaigns and screening programs aimed at detecting cardiovascular diseases early contribute to the growing demand for cardiac monitoring ...
- Wearable Sensors for Vascular Age and CVD Assessmenton May 6, 2024 at 5:59 pm
Researchers introduced a novel approach to cardiovascular health monitoring by integrating a stroke-volume allocation (SVA) model with wearable sensors. Through comprehensive experiments and clinical ...
- Telephone health coaching and remote exercise monitoring (TeGeCoach) in peripheral arterial occlusive diseaseon May 6, 2024 at 4:39 pm
Telephone health coaching with exercise monitoring using wearable activity trackers (TeGeCoach) for improving walking impairment in peripheral artery disease: study protocol for a randomised ...
via Bing News