A device for biomechanical investigations of the viscoelastic characteristics of vital and artificial arterial segments

Issue title: Selected proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Clinical Hemorheology, 22‐26 June 2003, Sofia, Bulgaria

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Antonova, Mariya

Affiliations: Laboratory of Pharmacology of CNS, Institute of Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel.: +359 2 979 21 67; Fax: +359 2 71 91 09; E‐mail: antonova@bio.bas.bg

Abstract: The viscoelastic characteristics – modulus of elasticity, natural frequency, coefficient of viscosity and low‐frequency resonance curve can be used as diagnostic indicators, at assessment of the direct effect of vasoactive drugs, and at selection of natural and artificial arterial prostheses. The aim of this work is a device for measurement of the viscoelastic characteristics of cylindrical segments of arteries in vitro and of arterial prostheses to be developed. The cylindrical segment is subjected to low frequency sinusoidal pulsations of the inner pressure. On the basis of the amplitude of the response oscillations of the wall, measured using the volume pulsations of the segment, the resonance curve is built so that the dynamic characteristics – modulus of elasticity, natural frequency, and coefficient of viscosity can be calculated. The living specimens are perfused with nutrition solution for keeping the quasi‐physiological conditions. In the same way, cylindrical segments of rubber and artificial human prostheses were investigated. The sensitivity and the accuracy of the device are given. The construction permits to keep the vitality of native animal's specimens when the measurements are carried out.

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 30, no. 3-4, pp. 477-480, 2004