Measurement of blood flow velocity in a model of stenosis in vitro and in mesenteric vessels in vivo using non-invasive micro multipoint laser Doppler velocimetry

Our research goal is to carry out two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurements of the velocity distribution within a single vessel. We modified a non-invasive beam laser Doppler velocimeter using near-infrared light, and linearized the laser to carry out simultaneous multipoint measurements. We also scanned the measurement line in the direction of depth to allow 3D imaging of vascular blood flow in opaque areas in vivo. We used micro multipoint laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and a device with improved spatial resolution from 250 to 125 µm. We compared actual and calculated values using a rotating disk with an attached microwire. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system, blood flowing at a constant rate through a glass capillary and the velocity distribution of flow in the capillary were measured and mapped. The average flow velocity was calculated from the cross-sectional area and flow rate in the glass capillary, and we compared the calculated and measured values. To obtain an image of blood flow velocity in vivo, we measured both 2D and 3D flow velocity distributions in mouse mesenteric vessels. (paper)