XY-TEK Ultrasonic Flow Sensor Application in Medical Perfusion



Contact

Home Resources Blog

Introduction

Medical perfusion technology is a core method for maintaining patient vital signs and supporting organ function, particularly indispensable in cardiac surgery, intensive care, and chronic disease treatment. XY-TEK CG series ultrasonic flow sensors utilize acoustic signals for non-contact measurement, demonstrating outstanding performance in biocompatibility, safety, and adaptability, and are gradually becoming the preferred choice for medical perfusion equipment.

Ultrasonic Flow Sensors Working Principles

XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensors are designed with ultrasonic transducers installed at specific angles on the upstream and downstream sides of the tubing. At a given moment, the sensor's circuit system generates high-frequency voltage pulses to excite the upstream transducer, producing ultrasonic waves that pass through the tubing wall and liquid at a specific incident angle, and are received by the downstream transducer.

Subsequently, the downstream transducer emits sound waves in the opposite direction, which pass through the tubing wall and liquid to be received by the upstream transducer.

When liquid flows within the tubing, there is a slight difference in the propagation time of ultrasonic waves in the downstream and upstream directions.

The time difference is proportional to the flow rate of the liquid, allowing the ultrasonic flow sensor to calculate the liquid's flow speed and corresponding flow rate by precisely measuring this time difference.

Typical Applications of Ultrasonic Flow Sensors in Medical Perfusion

1.Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) and Cardiac Surgery

The flow rate of extracorporeal circulation directly impacts tissue perfusion and postoperative functional recovery of various organs, especially critical ones such as the brain, liver, and kidneys. Perfusion flow is closely related to body temperature: when body temperature increases, the perfusion flow must correspondingly increase; conversely, when body temperature decreases, the perfusion flow should be appropriately lowered. If the perfusion flow is too low, it can lead to insufficient tissue perfusion, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia; if the flow is too high, it may not improve tissue perfusion further and could instead exacerbate mechanical damage to blood components. Under normal adult body temperature conditions (37°C), the ideal perfusion flow is typically 50-75 mL/kg·min. For a person weighing 70 kg, this corresponds to a flow range of approximately 3.5 L/min to 5.25 L/min.

During open-heart surgery, the extracorporeal circulation machine requires precise control of blood flow. With XY-TEK CG ultrasonic flow sensors, real-time monitoring of arterial blood flow can effectively prevent ischemia of the brain or organs due to insufficient perfusion flow and tissue or device damage caused by excessive perfusion flow, ensuring the safety and precision of the surgical process.

2.Organ Transplantation and Preservation

During the anhepatic phase and new liver phase (e.g., during liver transplantation), hemodynamic fluctuations can be extremely severe. By continuously monitoring the blood flow in the portal vein and hepatic artery, the risk of ischemic injury to the graft due to insufficient perfusion can be effectively avoided. For example, portal vein blood flow should be maintained above 1600 mL/min to significantly reduce the risk of early allograft dysfunction (EAD). The extracorporeal circulation system (such as rapid infusion devices used in liver transplantation) can stabilize aortic pressure by precisely controlling blood flow rate and pressure, ensuring adequate tissue perfusion in critical organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys.

In liver mechanical perfusion (MP) systems, ultrasonic flow sensors can measure the perfusion fluid flow in the portal vein and hepatic artery, offering real-time feedback on vascular blockage or coagulation abnormalities, significantly reducing the risk of biliary complications after transplantation.

3.Tumor Treatment

Perfusion therapy is a localized chemotherapy method that precisely delivers drugs to the lesion area, enhancing local drug concentration, prolonging drug action time, and reducing systemic toxicity. For instance, in China, intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy typically lasts 60-90 minutes, with a perfusion fluid volume usually between 4-6 liters to ensure adequate filling of the abdominal cavity and maintain good circulation. The perfusion speed is controlled between 400-600 mL/min.

The high-precision flow data provided by the CG ultrasonic sensors can be used to verify the uniform distribution of the perfusion fluid within the abdominal cavity. Studies have shown that when the flow rate is below 300 mL/min, it may lead to residual dead space in the abdominal cavity; on the other hand, excessively high flow rates (>600 mL/min) may cause mechanical damage to the intestines. By continuously monitoring and adjusting flow parameters, it is possible to ensure that the chemotherapy solution fully covers the peritoneal surface, reducing treatment blind spots, and thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing potential risks.

Technical Advantages and Clinical Value of CG Series Ultrasonic Flow Sensors

In the process of medical perfusion, precision, and safety are critical core elements. XY-TEK CG series non-invasive ultrasonic flow sensors allow measurement of flow rate without direct contact with liquids, fundamentally eliminating the risk of cross-contamination.

This design perfectly aligns with the strict requirements for sterile operation and biocompatibility in medical settings.

1. Precise Measurement

Through optimized hardware and software design, the CG series sensors achieve a combination of high precision and high stability, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of flow monitoring data, which provides a scientific basis for clinical decision-making.

2. Safety and Hygiene

The application of non-contact measurement technology avoids cross-contamination of liquid pathways, safeguarding the safety of the measurement process and protecting patient health.

3. Fluid Media Compatibility

The CG series sensors are widely applicable to various media, including blood, saline, and nutritional solutions, meeting diverse requirements in different medical scenarios.

4. Bidirectional Measurement

CG ultrasonic flow sensor support bidirectional monitoring of instantaneous flow rates, making them particularly suitable for flow monitoring in complex medical devices such as ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), providing real-time flow and cumulative volume data support for clinical treatment.

5. Bubble Detection

During blood liquid delivery, microbubbles can pose a serious risk of conduit embolism. CG ultrasonic flow sensors have a bubble detection feature that can monitor and provide early warnings of potential bubble issues in real time, effectively reducing medical risks and ensuring patient safety.

With the high precision, high stability, and high reliability, XY-TEK CG series ultrasonic flow sensors continue to advance the process of precision and safety in the field of medical perfusion.

In critical medical areas such as organ transplantation, critical life support and artificial hearts, CG series sensors play an irreplaceable role, contributing to high-quality medical services and solid protection for patient health and life safety.

Contact XY-TEK : global@xy-tek.cn