scholarly journals Consequences of intravascular lymphatic valve properties: a study of contraction timing in a multi-lymphangion model

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (7) ◽  
pp. H847-H860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Bertram ◽  
Charlie Macaskill ◽  
Michael J. Davis ◽  
James E. Moore

The observed properties of valves in collecting lymphatic vessels include transmural pressure-dependent bias to the open state and hysteresis. The bias may reduce resistance to flow when the vessel is functioning as a conduit. However, lymphatic pumping implies a streamwise increase in mean pressure across each valve, suggesting that the bias is then potentially unhelpful. Lymph pumping by a model of several collecting lymphatic vessel segments (lymphangions) in series, which incorporated these properties, was investigated under conditions of adverse pressure difference while varying the refractory period between active muscular contractions and the inter-lymphangion contraction delay. It was found that many combinations of the timing parameters and the adverse pressure difference led to one or more intermediate valves remaining open instead of switching between open and closed states during repetitive contraction cycles. Cyclic valve switching was reliably indicated if the mean pressure in a lymphangion over a cycle was higher than that in the lymphangion upstream, but either lack of or very brief valve closure could cause mean pressure to be lower downstream. Widely separated combinations of refractory period and delay time were found to produce the greatest flow-rate for a given pressure difference. The efficiency of pumping was always maximized by a long refractory period and lymphangion contraction starting when the contraction of the lymphangion immediately upstream was peaking. By means of an ex vivo experiment, it was verified that intermediate valves in a chain of pumping lymphangions can remain open, while the lymphangions on either side of the open valve continue to execute contractions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Maślanka ◽  
Ryszard Korycki ◽  
Halina Szafrańska

AbstractThe aim of the article is to analyze the seams connecting the covering textiles in paraglider wing and estimate their physical strength. The most extreme flight parameters (the angle of attack and velocity) in the numerical model of the wing allow the determination of the mean pressure inside the contour and the maximal difference between the pressures on the inner and the outer material surfaces. The preprocessing stage and numerical calculations in Ansys environment consider three different covering materials. The tool Porous Media is used to create the objects of a given value of air permeability. The estimated parameter of seam is the maximal pressure difference between both sides of the covering material, which that interacts with the test results. The quality index of the seam is defined by the maximal force to seam rupture and relative elongation during rupture. The obtained results indicate that the seams are resistant to the pressure difference caused by the most extreme flight parameters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 2921-2929
Author(s):  
Alan H. Shikani ◽  
Elamin M. Elamin ◽  
Andrew C. Miller

Purpose Tracheostomy patients face many adversities including loss of phonation and essential airway functions including air filtering, warming, and humidification. Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) facilitate humidification and filtering of inspired air. The Shikani HME (S-HME) is a novel turbulent airflow HME that may be used in-line with the Shikani Speaking Valve (SSV), allowing for uniquely preserved phonation during humidification. The aims of this study were to (a) compare the airflow resistance ( R airflow ) and humidification efficiency of the S-HME and the Mallinckrodt Tracheolife II tracheostomy HME (M-HME) when dry (time zero) and wet (after 24 hr) and (b) determine if in-line application of the S-HME with a tracheostomy speaking valve significantly increases R airflow over a tracheostomy speaking valve alone (whether SSV or Passy Muir Valve [PMV]). Method A prospective observational ex vivo study was conducted using a pneumotachometer lung simulation unit to measure airflow ( Q ) amplitude and R airflow , as indicated by a pressure drop ( P Drop ) across the device (S-HME, M-HME, SSV + S-HME, and PMV). Additionally, P Drop was studied for the S-HME and M-HME when dry at time zero (T 0 ) and after 24 hr of moisture testing (T 24 ) at Q of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 L/s. Results R airflow was significantly less for the S-HME than M-HME (T 0 and T 24 ). R airflow of the SSV + S-HME in series did not significant increase R airflow over the SSV or PMV alone. Moisture loss efficiency trended toward greater efficiency for the S-HME; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The turbulent flow S-HME provides heat and moisture exchange with similar or greater efficacy than the widely used laminar airflow M-HME, but with significantly lower resistance. The S-HME also allows the innovative advantage of in-line use with the SSV, hence allowing concurrent humidification and phonation during application, without having to manipulate either device.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Piayda ◽  
A Wimmer ◽  
H Sievert ◽  
K Hellhammer ◽  
S Afzal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there is renewed interest in percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV), which may qualify as the primary treatment option of choice in special clinical situations. Success of BAV is commonly defined as a significant mean pressure gradient reduction after the procedure. Purpose To evaluate the correlation of the mean pressure gradient reduction and increase in the aortic valve area (AVA) in different flow and gradient patterns of severe aortic stenosis (AS). Methods Consecutive patients from 01/2010 to 03/2018 undergoing BAV were divided into normal-flow high-gradient (NFHG), low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) and paradoxical low-flow low-gradient (pLFLG) AS. Baseline characteristics, hemodynamic and clinical information were collected and compared. Additionally, the clinical pathway of patients (BAV as a stand-alone procedure or BAV as a bridge to aortic valve replacement) was followed-up. Results One-hundred-fifty-six patients were grouped into NFHG (n=68, 43.5%), LFLG (n=68, 43.5%) and pLFLG (n=20, 12.8%) AS. Underlying reasons for BAV and not TAVR/SAVR as the primary treatment option are displayed in Figure 1. Spearman correlation revealed that the mean pressure gradient reduction had a moderate correlation with the increase in the AVA in patients with NFHG AS (r: 0.529, p<0.001) but showed no association in patients with LFLG (r: 0.145, p=0.239) and pLFLG (r: 0.030, p=0.889) AS. Underlying reasons for patients to undergo BAV and not TAVR/SAVR varied between groups, however cardiogenic shock or refractory heart failure (overall 46.8%) were the most common ones. After the procedure, independent of the hemodynamic AS entity, patients showed a functional improvement, represented by substantially lower NYHA class levels (p<0.001), lower NT-pro BNP levels (p=0.003) and a numerical but non-significant improvement in other echocardiographic parameters like the left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.163) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, p=0.066). An unplanned cardiac re-admission due to heart failure was necessary in 23.7% patients. Less than half of the patients (44.2%) received BAV as a bridge to TAVR/SAVR (median time to bridge 64 days). Survival was significantly increased in patients having BAV as a staged procedure (log-rank p<0.001). Conclusion In daily clinical practice, the mean pressure gradient reduction might be an adequate surrogate of BAV success in patients with NFHG AS but is not suitable for patients with other hemodynamic entities of AS. In those patients, TTE should be directly performed in the catheter laboratory to correctly assess the increase of the AVA. BAV as a staged procedure in selected clinical scenarios increases survival and is a considerable option in all flow states of severe AS. (NCT04053192) Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Author(s):  
A. Kinaci ◽  
S. van Thoor ◽  
S. Redegeld ◽  
M. Tooren ◽  
T. P. C. van Doormaal

AbstractCerebrospinal fluid leakage is a frequent complication after cranial and spinal surgery. To prevent this complication and seal the dura watertight, we developed Liqoseal, a dural sealant patch comprising a watertight polyesterurethane layer and an adhesive layer consisting of poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer and multiarmed N-hydroxylsuccinimide functionalized polyethylene glycol. We compared acute burst pressure and resistance to physiological conditions for 72 h of Liqoseal, Adherus, Duraseal, Tachosil, and Tisseel using computer-assisted models and fresh porcine dura. The mean acute burst pressure of Liqoseal in the cranial model (145 ± 39 mmHg) was higher than that of Adherus (87 ± 47 mmHg), Duraseal (51 ± 42 mmHg) and Tachosil (71 ± 16 mmHg). Under physiological conditions, cranial model resistance test results showed that 2 of 3 Liqoseal sealants maintained dural attachment during 72 hours as opposed to 3 of 3 for Adherus and Duraseal and 0 of 3 for Tachosil. The mean burst pressure of Liqoseal in the spinal model (233 ± 81 mmHg) was higher than that of Tachosil (123 ± 63 mmHg) and Tisseel (23 ± 16 mmHg). Under physiological conditions, spinal model resistance test results showed that 2 of 3 Liqoseal sealants maintained dural attachment for 72 hours as opposed to 3 of 3 for Adherus and 0 of 3 for Duraseal and Tachosil. This novel study showed that Liqoseal is capable of achieving a strong watertight seal over a dural defect in ex vivo models.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Carvalho de Vasconcelos ◽  
Leonardo de Alencar Matos ◽  
Elilton Cavalcante Pinheiro-Júnior ◽  
Antônio Sérgio Teixeira de Menezes ◽  
Nilton Vivacqua-Gomes

This study evaluated the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (Root ZX, Novapex, and Justy II) in root canal length determinations using different apical file sizes, considering the apical constriction (AC) and the major foramen (MF) as anatomic references. The diameter of the apical foramina of 40 single-rooted teeth was determined by direct visual measurement and the master apical file was established. Electronic measurements were then performed using 3 instruments: the selected master apical file (adjusted file), one size smaller (intermediate file), and two sizes smaller (misfit file). The distances from the tip of files fixed in the canals to the MF and to the AC were measured digitally. Precision at AC and at MF for the misfit, intermediate and adjusted apical files was as follows: 80%/88%/83% and 78%/83%/95% (Root ZX); 80%/85%/80% and 68%/73%/73% (Novapex); and 78%/80%/78% and 65%/78%/70% (Justy II). Considering the mean discrepancies, statistically significant differences were found only for the adjusted file at MF, with Root ZX presenting the best results at MF. The chi-square test showed significant differences between the acceptable measurements at AC and at MF for the Justy II and Novapex (± 0.5 mm) regardless of file adjustment. Under the conditions of the present study, all devices provided acceptable electronic measurements regardless of file adjustment, except for Root ZX which had its performance improved significantly when the precisely fit apical file was used. Justy II and Novapex provided electronic measurements nearest to the AC.


1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Isono ◽  
D. L. Morrison ◽  
S. H. Launois ◽  
T. R. Feroah ◽  
W. A. Whitelaw ◽  
...  

The static mechanics of the hypotonic pharynx were endoscopically evaluated in nine sleeping patients with obstructive sleep apnea, having a primary narrowing only at the velopharynx. The velopharynx closed completely at a mean pressure of 0.18 +/- 1.21 cmH2O, and the mean half-dilation pressure was 1.93 cmH2O above closing pressure. The dependence of area on pressure was distinctly curvilinear, being steep near closing pressure and asymptotically approaching maximum area (mean = 1.32 cm2). The data for each patient were satisfactorily fitted by an exponential function (mean R2 = 0.98), and a single exponential relationship usefully represented the dependence of relative area on pressure above closing pressure for the population (R2 = 0.85). During the test inspiration, flow limitation was consistently observed when mask pressure exceeded closing pressure by 0.5–3.0 cmH2O. In summary, the static mechanics of the hypotonic velopharynx of patients with obstructive sleep apnea can be described by an exponential pressure-area relationship, with a closing pressure near atmospheric pressure and a high compliance in the range of airway pressure 0–3 cmH2O above closing pressure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 05007
Author(s):  
Andrejs Nitijevskis ◽  
Vladislavs Keviss

The objectives of this paper are to review measurements of airtightness of 2 large building groups – middle size shops, and warehouses/distribution centres. The mean air leakage rate at 50 Pa pressure difference q50 was 1.04 m3/m2h and 1.35 m3/m2h for shops and warehouses respectively. Analysis of measurement results is valuable because it allows to make a conclusion about compliance of national and corporative construction airtightness norms with actual air barrier condition on a comissioning stage. In the concluding part of the study there are suggested ways to improve air barrier such as review of construction norms, implementation of a mandatory testing and quality control of a measurement.


1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Lee ◽  
B. F. Soliman

A study has been made of the influence of grouping parameters on the mean pressure distributions experienced by three dimensional bluff bodies immersed in a turbulent boundary layer. The range of variable parameters has included group density, group pattern and incident flow type and direction for a simple cuboid element form. The three flow regimes associated with increasing group density are reflected in both the mean drag forces acting on the body and their associated pressure distributions. A comparison of both pressure distributions and velocity profile parameters with established work on two dimensional bodies shows close agreement in identifying these flow regime changes. It is considered that the application of these results may enhance our understanding of some common flow phenomena, including turbulent flow over rough surfaces, building ventilation studies and environmental wind around buildings.


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