Measuring the Hemodynamic Flow in the Brachial-Ulnar-Radial Arterial System

Cardiovascular investigations start with the arterial blood pressure measurement and the easiest and accessible approach takes the recording of the systolic and diastolic pressure levels by a sphygmomanometer, usually during compression of the upper arm, or the wrist (same level as the heart), on the path of the brachial artery. More information on arterial hemodynamic, beyond blood pressure monitoring, could result from investigations based on the pulse wave analysis, like applanation tonometry, which is based on pressure sensed on the arm’s surface, at several observation points along the brachial tree. The reactivity and the accuracy of the sensors depend on their design; capacitive and piezoelectric sensors are good candidates for this task. Based on numerical analysis, the work presented here evaluates the usage of applanation tonometry data for the investigation of hemodynamic parameters and examines some technical and medical aspects of the method. The multiphysics numerical model assembles three different problems: hemodynamic flow, structural deformation of the arm and generation of electricity through deformable sensors.