Digital signal processing of ultrasonic signals for blood flow measurement

This paper describes the application of advanced digital signal processing techniques in a noninvasive ultrasonic Doppler flowmeter used to measure extracorporeal blood flow during open heart surgery. The use of ultrasound to determine blood flow rates started in the 1950's with much of this work focused on measurement of blood flow in a patient by a variety of means, both invasive and noninvasive. Although the use of ultrasonics to measure blood flow is not in itself a new concept, the application of advanced digital signal processing techniques in the system being described has resulted in a unique product for accurate and reliable blood flow measurements. The flowmeter system is intended for use with a centrifugal blood pump and will measure blood flow in the flexible tubing used during surgery to an accuracy of better than +/- 10%. This paper describes the development and implementation of the digital flowmeter and its application to flow measurement.