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US 8,998,816 B2Granted
Devices, systems and methods for isometric and isotonic contraction of blood vessels using an isovolumetric myograph
AssigneeDTherapeutics, LLC
InventorsGhassan S. Kassab, Xiao Lu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses devices, systems and methods for the isovolumic measurement of vasoactivity in a blood vessel (3). The length and volume of the blood vessel (3) are maintained constant while a chemical or pressure is exposed to the blood vessel (3). The reaction of the blood vessel (3) to the chemical or physical stimuli is measured by internal lumen pressure changes.
Claims24
A device for determining the vasoactivity of a first blood vessel, the device comprising:
- a pair of conduits for positioning at either end of a blood vessel having a lumen, wherein each conduit in use forms a fluid seal with the lumen of the blood vessel;
- a pair of retaining walls that in use retain the blood vessel in a predetermined length, the pair of retaining walls configured to engage the pair of conduits;
- a first pressure transducer capable of measuring vasoactivity of the blood vessel, the first pressure transducer in communication with at least one of the conduits;
- a manipulator for changing a length of separation of the retaining walls to enhance the stretching or retracting of the blood vessel, wherein a fixed arm on the manipulator is used to hold a connector to one end of the blood vessel;
- and
- a pressure regulator in communication with a computer, the computer having a processor configured to adjust one of pressure or volume of a fluid within the blood vessel based upon data received from a detector configured to detect dimensional changes of the blood vessel;
- wherein the device is configured so that vasoactivity of the blood vessel can be determined by directly measuring pressure fluctuations in the lumen of the blood vessel through operation of the first pressure transducer while the blood vessel is maintained in the predetermined length by the pair of retaining walls, closed to flow conditions therethrough, and an isovolumic area is maintained within the lumen thereof.
4 more elements
A system for determining the vasoactivity of a first blood vessel in reaction to a chemical, the system comprising:
- a retaining device having a pair of conduits to form a fluid seal with a lumen of an excised blood vessel and a pair of retaining walls, configured to engage the pair of conduits, that retain the blood vessel in a predetermined length;
- a chemical used to test the vasoactivity of the blood vessel;
- a pressure transducer capable of measuring vasoactivity of the blood vessel, the pressure transducer in communication with the blood vessel;
- a manipulator for changing a length of separation of the retaining walls to enhance the stretching or retracting of the blood vessel, wherein a fixed arm on the manipulator is used to hold a connector to one end of the blood vessel;
- and
- a pressure regulator in communication with a computer, the computer having a processor configured to adjust one of pressure or volume of a fluid within the blood vessel based upon data received from a detector configured to detect dimensional changes of the blood vessel;
- wherein the system is configured so that vasoactivity of the blood vessel in response to the chemical can be determined by directly measuring the pressure in the lumen of the blood vessel through operation of the first pressure transducer when the lumen of the blood vessel is closed to flow conditions, the blood vessel is maintained in an isometric state, and an isovolumic area is maintained in the lumen of the blood vessel.
4 more elements
A method for measuring the vasoactivity of a blood vessel having a lumen in response to a chemical, the blood vessel having been excised and isolated from an animal body, the method comprising:
- providing a system for determining the vasoactivity of a first blood vessel in reaction to a chemical, the system comprising:
- a retaining device having a pair of conduits to form a fluid seal with a lumen of an excised blood vessel and a pair of retaining walls, configured to engage the pair of conduits, that retain the blood vessel in a predetermined length,
- a chemical used to test the vasoactivity of the blood vessel,
- a pressure transducer capable of measuring vasoactivity of the blood vessel, the pressure transducer in communication with the blood vessel,
- a manipulator for changing a length of separation of the retaining walls to enhance the stretching or retracting of the blood vessel, wherein a fixed arm on the manipulator is used to hold a connector to one end of the blood vessel, and
- a pressure regulator in communication with a computer, the computer having a processor configured to adjust one of pressure or volume of a fluid within the blood vessel based upon data received from a detector configured to detect dimensional changes of the blood vessel,
- wherein the system is configured so that vasoactivity of the blood vessel in response to the chemical can be determined by directly measuring the pressure in the lumen of the blood vessel through operation of the pressure transducer when the lumen of the blood vessel is closed to flow conditions, the blood vessel is maintained in an isometric state, and an isovolumic area is maintained in the lumen of the blood vessel;
- maintaining the blood vessel at a constant length;
- maintaining the blood vessel at a constant internal volume;
- and
- measuring pressure changes inside the lumen of the blood vessel using the pressure transducer after exposure of the blood vessel to the chemical.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.