Accuracy and reproducibility of a novel dynamic volume flow measurement method

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Fluid Dynamics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Current clinical blood volume flow (BVF) calculations assume simplified flow patterns, leading to inaccurate estimations.
• Existing advanced methods like 2D/3D imaging have limited temporal resolution, while the Womersley model has limitations with complex flow dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel BVF measurement method combining multigate spectral Doppler with B-mode edge detection for accurate wall-position tracking.
• To achieve an optimal balance between accuracy, temporal resolution, and computational demands in BVF measurement.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a multigate spectral Doppler technique coupled with a B-mode edge detector for precise wall tracking.
• Extensive testing was conducted on the ULA-OP research platform using over 1700 phantom measurements with varying flow rates, angles, and flow patterns (constant, sinusoidal, pulsed).

Main Results:

• Averaged BVF measurements showed a slight underestimation of approximately -5% with a coefficient of variability (CV) below 6%.
• Instantaneous BVF measurements, including systolic peaks, demonstrated a CV between 2% and 8.5%.
• Preliminary in-vivo tests on the common carotid artery in volunteers yielded CVs ranging from 2% to 11%.

Conclusions:

• The developed multigate spectral Doppler method with B-mode wall tracking provides a robust and accurate approach for BVF measurement.
• This technique offers a significant improvement over traditional methods, showing promising results for both phantom and preliminary human studies.