Smart Stent Monitors Artery Blood Flow
A stent implanted in an artery has a sensor to track blood flow and sends data on the patient's condition wirelessly to doctors.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among men and women. Placing a stent in clogged arteries helps to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart attack. But there is also a risk associated with stents: plaque can build up, causing arteries to narrow again.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, have created a ‘smart stent’ with sensors that can monitor and provide real-time feedback on blood flow. The feedback can detect re-narrowing of a stented artery, known as restenosis.
Filed under