Biodegradable and Flexible Arterial Pulse Sensors for the Wireless Monitoring of Blood Flow

Stanford researchers at the Zhenan Bao Lab have designed a device and method for real-time monitoring of arterial blood flow using a biodegradable, flexible, wireless and battery-free sensor mounted on an artery. Monitoring blood flow after vascular anastomosis (surgically connecting blood vessels) is critical to patient recovery and patient outcomes after complex reconstructive surgeries.

This sensor can be operated wirelessly through inductive coupling, has minimal hysteresis, fast response times, excellent cycling stability, is highly robust, and eliminates the need for removal, thus reducing the risk of vessel trauma. A prototype was successfully tested with a custom-made artificial artery model and in vivo in rats. The team believes this is the first demonstration of a wireless, biodegradable sensor that can monitor blood flow in an artery in real-time.

Stanford News Article: January 8, 2019
"Stanford researchers create a wireless, battery-free, biodegradable blood flow sensor"

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Stage of Research