Karotissensorn

Karotissensorn is a general term used in medical technology to describe a sensor system designed to detect signals from the carotid arteries in the neck. It encompasses devices and modalities that target the carotid region for cardiovascular assessment, and is not tied to a single standardized product.

The term covers several sensing approaches. Doppler ultrasound sensors measure blood flow velocity in the carotid arteries, providing information about hemodynamics. Optical methods such as photoplethysmography (PPG) or near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can capture pulsatile signals or tissue oxygenation in the carotid bed. Some designs incorporate miniature pressure sensors to estimate arterial pressure or to extract features like pulse wave velocity (PWV), which reflects arterial stiffness. In wearable contexts, karotissensorn configurations aim for non-invasive, continuous monitoring.

Applications include perioperative and critical-care monitoring, assessment of cardiovascular risk and arterial health in research, and exploration of non-invasive blood pressure estimation. Karotissensors may also support studies of pulse wave dynamics and arterial responsiveness in various patient populations.

Advantages of karotissensorn concepts include localized vascular information from a central neck site and the potential for non-invasive, continuous data. Limitations involve motion sensitivity and variability due to neck anatomy, skin pigmentation, and sensor placement. Ultrasound-based implementations require a probe or transducer with coupling medium, while optical approaches depend on stable contact and sufficient signal strength.

History and development proceed within broader trends in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging and wearable health sensors, with ongoing validation comparing sensor-derived metrics to invasive or gold-standard measures. See also carotid ultrasound, photoplethysmography, pulse wave velocity, and non-invasive blood pressure.