Automatic detection system of venous air embolism employing signal processing methods

Methods of signal processing which have been developed and tested for the detection of venous embolism using ultrasound Doppler systems are presented. The detection scheme developed is based on a time-frequency characterization of the Doppler signals obtained with a suitable transducer placed on the cartoid vein. The developed scheme has been implemented and tested for the automatic signaling of an embolism which can occur in the course of a surgical operation.