Design and Simulation of a Novel Pneumotronic System Aimed to the Investigation of Vascular Phenomena Induced by Limb Compression

Abstract

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) devices can be used to analyze the mechanisms underlying several vascular phenomena, such as hyperaemia. Commercial devices have limited dynamics and do not allow the delivery of customizable compressive pressure patterns, making difficult the analysis of such phenomena, which may require the application of long stimulations with low amplitude as well as fast compressions with higher pressure level. To overcome these issues, a novel pneumo-tronic device aimed to the investigation of the physiological effects induced by limb compressions has been conceived and is presented in this work. The design requirements of the system, capable of delivering customizable compressive patterns in the range 0-200 mmHg, are outlined. The final prototype architecture is described, and a mathematical model of the entire system, also including the interaction between the device and the limb tissues, is proposed. The performance of the device has been evaluated in several conditions by means of simulations, whose results have been compared to the data collected from experimental trials in order to validate the model. The outcomes of both experimentation and simulation trials proved the effectiveness of the solution proposed. A possible employment of this device for the investigation of the rapid compression-induced hyperaemia is presented. Other potential applications concern the wide range of intermittent-pneumatic compression treatments.

A Portable Device for the Measurement of Venous Pulse Wave Velocity

“…Expensive professional machines are generally adopted to the purpose of eliciting rapid tissue compressions [13]. We faced this need when investigating the muscular and skin reactivity to compressive stimuli [14,15], and developed a custom system on the basis of PC-driven valves for controlled rapid inflation and deflation of the cuff [14,16], as recently reviewed [17]. For the present application, a single 3-way valve was adopted for both inflation and deflation.…”

Evidence that large vessels do affect near infrared spectroscopy

“…The cuff inflation was operated by two solenoid valves (VXE2330-02F-6D01, SMC, Tokyo, Japan), granting rapid in-flow and out-flow, and a proportional valve (ITV0010, SMC, Tokyo, Japan), granting precise pressure maintenance at the desired level. Compressed air (1 bar) was provided by an air compressor, and the Spike2 software (version 9, Cambridge Electronic Design, Cambridge, UK) coupled with an I/O board (CED Micro 1041, Cambridge Electronic Design, Cambridge, UK) was used to drive the above-mentioned valves to implement both rapid and slow inflation/deflation patterns 12 – 14 .…”

Analysis of Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities Based on Vascular Endothelial Cell Inflammation Images and Multi-Scale Deep Learning

“…where X is the feature layer of the convolution output, 1 ≤ i ≤ h, 1 ≤ j ≤ w and the implementation principle is shown in Figure 10. The gradient of equation 9is calculated as equation (10) and equation (11).…”

“…About 23% of adults suffer from varicose veins of the lower extremities, and the current number has exceeded 25 million [9], [10]. In China, the prevalence of varicose veins has exceeded 8% [11]. In addition to affecting aesthetics, varicose veins can also cause complications, for example, venous edema, skin ulcers and thrombophlebitis, and increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis [12], which can cause disability and the lower labor force.…”