A Novel Non-Invasive Device for the Assessment of Central Venous Pressure in Hospital, Office and Home.

Background: Venous congestion can be quantified by central venous pressure (CVP) and its monitoring is crucial to understand and follow the hemodynamic status of patients with cardio-respiratory diseases. The standard technique for CVP measurement is invasive, requiring the insertion of a catheter into a jugular vein, with potential complications. On the other hand, the current non-invasive methods, mainly based on ultrasounds, remain operator-dependent and are unsuitable for use in the home environment.

A new gyro-based method for quantifying eyelid motion.

Purpose: We present an innovative method to quantify the eyeblink by using a miniature gyroscopic sensor (gyro), which is applied on the upper eyelid. Electrical Stimulation (ES) of the facial nerve is a promising technology to treat dysfunctional eyelid closure following facial paralysis. We used the new gyro-based method to evaluate the biomechanics of both the spontaneous and the ES-induced eyeblink, and to identify the best ES protocol.

Computational finite element model of cardiac torsion.

Purpose: A novel finite-element model of ventricular torsion for the analysis of the twisting behavior of the left human ventricle was developed, in order to investigate the influence of various biomechanical parameters on cardiac kinematics.

Methods: The ventricle was simulated as a thick-walled ellipsoid composed of nine concentric layers. Arrays of reinforcement bars were embedded in each layer to mimic physiological myocardial anisotropy.

A mechanical simulator of cardiac wall kinematics.

Aim of this study is to develop a mechanical simulator (MS) reproducing cardiac wall kinematics [i.e., radial (R), longitudinal (L) and rotational (RT) motions] to test piezoelectric gyroscopic sensors (GS) that are able to measure cardiac torsion that has proved to be a sensitive index of cardiac performance.

Validation of a peak endocardial acceleration-based algorithm to optimize cardiac resynchronization: early clinical results.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) involves time-consuming procedures to achieve an optimal programming of the system, at implant as well as during follow-up, when remodelling occurs. A device equipped with an implantable sensor able to measure peak endocardial acceleration (PEA) has been recently developed to monitor cardiac function and to guide CRT programming. During scanning of the atrioventricular delay (AVD), PEA reflects both left ventricle (LV) contractility (LV dP/dt(max)) and transmitral flow.

Initial experience with a telerobotic system to remotely navigate and automatically reposition standard steerable EP catheters.

The use of robotic systems in cardiac interventional procedures is growing. The insertion and maneuvering in the human body of electrophysiology (EP) catheters is currently carried out manually under fluoroscopic guidance, resulting in operator fatigue and prolonged x-ray exposure. We report our initial animal experience with a novel telerobotic system (TS) to remotely navigate and automatically reposition standard steerable EP catheters within the heart.

Effect of right ventricular pacing on cardiac apex rotation assessed by a gyroscopic sensor.

To quantify cardiac apex rotation (CAR), the authors recently proposed the use of a Coriolis force sensor (gyroscope) as an alternative to other complex techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of right ventricular (RV) pacing on CAR. A sheep heart was initially paced from the right atrium to induce a normal activation sequence at a fixed heart rate (AAI mode) and then an atrioventricular pacing was performed (DOO mode, AV delay = 60 ms).

First experimental evaluation of cardiac apex rotation with an epicardial coriolis force sensor.

Cardiac apex rotation, quantified by sophisticated techniques (radiopaque markers and tagged magnetic resonance), has been shown to provide a sensitive index of left ventricle (LV) dynamics. The authors describe the first experimental assessment of cardiac apex rotation using a gyroscopic sensor based on Coriolis force, epicardially glued on the apex. Dynamics of apex rotation were evaluated in a sheep at baseline, after a positive inotropic drug infusion, and after impairment of cardiac function induced by coronary ligation.