Method and apparatus for monitoring the patency of vascular grafts

摘要

An implanted flow meter device for monitoring blood flow through a vascular graft is described. At the time that the vascular graft is implanted, a ring-like clip having Doppler crystal transducers mounted thereon is made to surround the graft with the acoustic axis of the transducers being generally longitudinally and internally directed relative to the graft. At the same time, an electrical plug-type connector is subcutaneously implanted at a desirable access site and electrical conductors connect terminals on that plug to the Doppler crystal transducers. When a blood flow reading is desired, a small incision can be made at the implant site to provide access to the plug- type connector, allowing a Doppler transmitter/receiver to be connected to that transducers via the plug connection.