Record Details

A cardiovascular prosthesis for subhuman primates

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title A cardiovascular prosthesis for subhuman primates
Names Chambers, Alan B. (creator)
Lusted, Lee B. (advisor)
Date Issued 1964-05-04 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1964
Abstract This study reports the design, construction, and
evaluation of an automatic cardiac massage device and
support system. The design incorporates the principle of
a cardioplethysmograph operated in reverse, such that
pneumatic power fed to the prosthesis will mechanically
impart a massaging action to the heart. Basically, the
prosthesis is a flexible sac inside a rigid housing which
extends from the base to the apex of the heart. Pulsating
pneumatic pressure, fed through an aperture in the outer
housing, causes the inner sac to squeeze the intact
ventricles resulting in a period corresponding to normal
systole.
The compression of the ventricles during the
automatic massage procedure tends to eject the heart from
the prosthesis; therefore, in order to resist this ejection
force the prosthesis is firmly secured around the heart
by utilizing the pericardium as a support. An attachment
ring is sutured to the pericardium near the base of the
ventricles, and the prosthesis is sutured to the ring.
Thus the forces tending to eject the heart from the
prosthesis are resisted by the entire circumference of
the pericardium rather than by local sutured areas.
Pericardial strength tests were conducted and the results
of these studies indicated that this method of securing
the prosthesis is feasible.
In order to test the prosthesis under actual
working conditions, a prosthesis was implanted in a
Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and the heart was massaged
for one hour; during this time an appreciable arterial
pulse was maintained, indicating a successful massaging
action. The pericardium showed no signs of stress or
fatigue during or after massaging and no lesions or
rupture were observed. All indications were that the
massaging could have been continued for several hours.
On the basis of the results obtained, this method of
prosthesis attachment and the prosthesis design were
considered to be successful and workable.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Cardiovascular system -- Surgery
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/48785

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