Evaluation of an electromagnetic catheter tip velocity-sensitive blood flow probe.

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Abstract
An electromagnetic catheter tip velocity- and direction-sensitive blood flow probe (CTP) capable of detecting either phasic or mean velocities has been designed to fit inside a standard no. 10 French catheter. The outer surface is smooth and without open orifices, pits, or crevices, thus reducing the possibility of damage to the vascular endothelium and the formation of blood clots. The electrodes are positioned at the tip of the catheter in such a manner that the maximum signal (approximately 0.5 mv/ m/min.) is obtained when electrodes are perpendicular to the flowing stream. Several techniques have been described which enable the investigator to determine the location of the CTP while in vivo. The CTP can be used to detect and explore intravascular abnormalities such as shunts, aberrant vessels, stenosis, coarctations, and aneurysms; or it can be used to map flows through the larger vessels on either the arterial or venous side of the circulation.