Wireless Accelerometers for Early Detection of Restenosis.

Abstract: The goal of this paper is to use accelerometers as an early detection of restenosis. Restenosis (re-narrowing of the blood vessel) typically occurs within 3-6 months after the implantation of a stent. Finite element modelling of an occluded blood vessel showed that eddies along with an increase in velocity occur around the occlusion. In this paper a wireless accelerometer device was used to detect an occlusion. A human phantom model was used to mimic the wireless transmission capabilities of the system through human muscle ex-vivo. Fast Fourier transform results from the accelerometer showed that a non-occluded blood vessel had significant peaks >15Hz, whereas an occluded blood vessel had peaks <15Hz, which provides a signature template for detecting restenosis. The results of the FEM and human phantom experiments show that an accelerometer sensor is capable of detecting restenosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]