Near real time vascular input impedance using a portable microcomputer

A microcomputer-based data acquisition and analysis system was developed to measure the hydraulic input impedance of the pulmonary vasculature in human and animal models. This system is capable of analyzing every fourth cardiac cycle. The system incorporated the ability to digitize and store physiologic data, transform waveforms from time domain to frequency domain using Fourier techniques, and calculate impedance spectra in near real time. System attributes included portability, immunity from environmental noise, physical ruggedness, and minimal operator input. Realization of this system was possible through the use of a custom software program in a high-speed hardware environment.

Duke Scholars

Author Peter Kent Smith Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery