Abstract: A blood flow rate measurement system measures fluid flow rate in a blood vessel having a catheter-based heart pump inserted therein, without relying on measurements of electric current drawn by a motor that drives the heart pump. A turbine is disposed at or near a distal end of the heart pump catheter. Blood or other fluid flowing through the blood vessel urges blades of the turbine to rotate. The turbine is mechanically coupled to a signal generator, which generates a signal indicative of a rotational speed of the turbine, which is dependent, at least in part, on speed of the fluid flowing through the blood vessel. A tachometer, external to the body of the patient, calculates the blood flow rate from the rotational speed of the turbine. In some cases, the blades are collapsible, to reduce diameter of the turbine, thereby facilitating insertion of the system into the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and system for distinguishing an individual by employing anatomy and gait parameters is provided. The method includes acquiring image data of an individual, and computing a gait and/or an anatomy parameter of the individual from the image data. A match between the parameter of the individual and a particular parameter in a reference database is determined to distinguish the individual.