Development of an implantable blood flow and pressure monitor for pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

We are developing an implantable blood flow and pressure monitor for pulmonary hypertension. Implantable hacmodynnmic monitors have been used to continuously measure pulmonary pressures in humans in a research setting. However there is currently no implantable haemodynamic monitoring device available that measures both blood pressure and flow. We aim to measure blood flaw using the impedance technique from a catheter through the right ventricle. Initial experiments have been conducted in saline and blood to validate our experimenrnl rechnique. Excellenr agreement was found between theory and experimelttal results. A numerical model of rhe chest is being developed tu develop un algorithm that calculates blood flow from impedance measurements. At a later stage we hope to use sheep to demonstrate the usefullness of the developed device.