NeoDoppler: New ultrasound technology for continuous cerebral circulation monitoring in neonates

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a strong need for continuous cerebral circulation monitoring in neonatal care, since suboptimal cerebral blood flow may lead to brain injuries in preterm infants and other critically ill neonates. NeoDoppler is a novel ultrasound system, which can be gently fixed to the anterior fontanel and measure cerebral blood flow velocity continuously in different depths of the brain simultaneously. We aimed to study the feasibility, accuracy, and potential clinical applications of NeoDoppler in preterm infants and sick neonates. METHOD: Twenty-five infants born at different gestational ages with a variety of diagnoses on admission were included. The probe was placed over the anterior fontanel, and blood flow velocity data were continuously recorded. To validate NeoDoppler, we compared the measurements with conventional ultrasound; agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: NeoDoppler can provide accurate and continuous data on cerebral blood flow velocity in several depths simultaneously. Limits of agreement between the measurements obtained with the two methods were acceptable. CONCLUSION: By monitoring the cerebral circulation continuously, increased knowledge of cerebral hemodynamics in preterm infants and sick neonates may be acquired. Improved monitoring of these vulnerable brains during a very sensitive period of brain development may contribute toward preventing brain injuries.

Chest Compression in Neonatal Cardiac Arrest: Cerebral Blood Flow Measurements in Experimental Models

“…The probe of the novel device NeoDoppler is placed over the anterior fontanel and provides real-time Doppler signals that include depth vs. time color M-mode, representing blood flow in several vessels at different depths, and the corresponding pulsed-wave Doppler curves from one specific depth. In a feasibility study (n = 25), NeoDoppler provided accurate and continuous CBFV data in several depths simultaneously in neonates at different gestational ages and with different disease conditions [17]. NeoDoppler measured a slightly lower pulsatility index than conventional pulsed-wave Doppler.…”

Perspectives from the Society for Pediatric Research. Neonatal encephalopathy clinical trials: developing the future

“…Day 21 MRI, resting state connectivity, cerebral blood flow patterns, other novel neuroimaging techniques( 58 , 106 – 110 )…”

Clinical Application of High- Precision Neuroimaging Methods in Newborns with Brain Injuries

“…Ультразвуковой датчик фиксирован в шапочке. Его располагают над большим родничком новорожденного, через который проводится исследование [29]. В зоне действия ультразвукового луча NeoDoppler позволяет оценить скорость кровотока одновременно в нескольких сосудах различного диаметра.…”

“…В зоне действия ультразвукового луча NeoDoppler позволяет оценить скорость кровотока одновременно в нескольких сосудах различного диаметра. Это свойство дает методике бóльшее преимущество по сравнению с обычным ультразвуком, при котором оценка мозгового кровообращения осуществляется в крупных сосудах головного мозга [29,30]. Протоколы сканирования NeoDoppler могут быть адаптированы к индивидуальным клиническим ситуациям, когда необходимо проведение записи в непрерывном режиме или с определенными интервалами.…”

“…Во время исследования можно выбрать непрерывный режим, а после завершения процедур снова отрегулировать его до обычного прерывистого режима. NeoDoppler может использоваться как метод прикроватного непрерывного мониторинга в течение нескольких часов или даже дней [29].…”