Patent ID: 8998816
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. 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.