Patent ID: 8874203
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring a cross-sectional area of and a fluid velocity at a targeted treatment site, the method comprising the steps of: introducing an impedance device into a treatment site, the impedance device comprising an elongated body comprising two detection electrodes positioned in between two excitation electrodes, the impedance device selected from the group consisting of an impedance catheter and an impedance wire; injecting a first solution of a first compound having a first conductivity into the treatment site; measuring a first conductance value at the treatment site using the impedance device, the first conductance value indicative of a bolus of the first solution; and, in either order, a) calculating a cross-sectional area of the treatment site based in part upon the first conductivity of the first solution, the first conductance value, a conductivity of blood, and a known distance between the two detection electrodes of the impedance device; and b) measuring a velocity of fluid flow through the treatment site using the impedance device; wherein the treatment site comprises a site selected from the group consisting of a body vessel, a biliary tract, a coronary artery, a carotid artery, a femoral artery, a renal artery, a iliac artery, a cerebral artery, and an aorta.