Statistical Validation of the Use of Advanced Piezoelectric Sensors for the Measurement of Blood Flow in Coronary Transplants

The use of coronary or bridge implants (by-pass) has been a great revolution in the advancement of methods for the treatment of coronary blood vessel occlusion. To evaluate implant quality, the most effective technique currently used is called Ultrasonic Transit Time (TTFM), however, reliability of measurements of very small blood flows in low-caliber arteries and veins still needs to be increased. The objective of this article is the evaluation of the piezoelectric sensors to be used a) to estimate the sensitivity of the sensors and b) to calculate the error of the prediction of the volumetric flow. Coupled to an electronic module capable of making measurements in the order of picoseconds. The results showed an uncertainty in the prediction of blood volumetric flow less than 5 ml/min. It is concluded that the sensors used in this research are comparable with commercial high-cost TTFM equipment in the international market.