Total vascular resistance and blood flow frequency during left ventricular assistance using a vibrating flow pump.

A vibrating flow pump (VFP) can generate high frequency oscillated blood flow within 10-30 Hz by the oscillation of its central tube. A totally implantable artificial heart using a VFP is being developed as a unique type of blood pump. In this study, left ventricular (LV) assist circulation was performed using a VFP. The total vascular resistance and driving frequency of the VFP were estimated from their relationship. The effect of oscillation on the vascular system was studied by the frequency analysis method and vascular impedance. Adult goats were anesthetized by halothane using an inhaler and a left fourth thoracotomy was performed. The inflow cannula was inserted into the left ventricle, and the outflow cannula was sutured to the descending aorta. The VFP and a centrifugal pump were set in parallel for alternation and comparison. The driving frequency of the VFP was changed and included 15, 20, 25, and 30 Hz. The hemodynamic parameters were continuously recorded during experiments by a digital audio tape (DAT) data recorder. The internal pressure of the left ventricular cavity and aortic pressure were monitored by the pressure manometers continuously. One hundred percent LV assistance was judged by the separation of LV and aortic pressure. The total vascular resistance was decreased by the start of operation of each pump. The decrease during flow using the VFP was not as large as that using a centrifugal pump (CP). The arterial input impedance during oscillated blood flow by the VFP showed a slow curve appearance. It was similar to the frequency characteristics curve of natural heart beats within the lower frequencies. The study of arterial impedance may be important for the estimation of the reflection of the pulsatile wave from the arterial branch, among other things.

New cavity forms in second deciduous molars which maximize dentin thickness between cavity and pulp chamber.

This study was designed to devise configuratively ideal cavity formations using 49 second deciduous molars, consisting of 25 extracted from the maxilla and 24 from the mandible. A cavity having at least 1 mm subcavitary (below the cavity) dentin thickness at any point of measurement and having an appropriately formed and positioned retention was defined as an ideal cavity. The same methods were used as in our previous study of first deciduous molars. The following results were obtained: 1. In upper second deciduous molars, the subcavitary dentin thickness was thin at the mesiobuccal side of the cavity; it measured 0.9 mm. In lower second deciduous molars, the subcavitary dentin thickness was thin at the mesiobuccal, distolingual sides of the cavity, and central fossa, where the retentional groove was provided; it measured 0.8-0.9 mm. The other measured values exceeded 1.0 mm. All thickness measurements were very close to the values considered as ideal. 2. In upper second deciduous molars, the margins of the cavity were positioned medially to the summits of respective cusps, 1.8-2.0 mm at the buccal side and 1.5 mm at the lingual side. The entire cavity was located lingually. 3. In lower second deciduous molars, the buccal margin of the cavity was positioned 1.7 mm medially to the summit of the distobuccal cusp and 1.2-1.3 mm medially to the summits of the other buccal cusps. The lingual margin was positioned 1.4-1.5 mm medially to the summits of respective cusps. medially to the summits of respective cusps. 4. The buccolingual width of the cavity amounted to 1/3 of the distance between the summits of the buccal and lingual cusps in both upper and lower second deciduous molars. 5. At the mesial side, the depth of cavity was 1.4 mm at the buccal wall and 1.5 mm at the lingual wall in upper second deciduous molars, and 1.4 mm at the buccal wall and 1.6 mm at the lingual wall in lower second deciduous molars. 6. The width of gingival wall in the proximal box measured 1.0 mm in both upper and lower second deciduous molars.