Applicability of the latissimus dorsi muscle in situ as a biomechanical energy source.
The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of the latissimus dorsi muscle in situ as an energy source for a circulatory assist device. A pneumatic chamber, devised by the authors, was inserted beneath the muscle and compressed by contractions of the muscle so that muscle contractile power was converted into pneumatic pressure. The optimal insertion position of the chamber beneath the latissimus dorsi muscle, and the influence of chamber size on generated pneumatic pressure, were investigated. The pneumatic chamber functioned better when it was placed in a proximal position (third intercostal space) than in a middle or distal position. Using a mock circuit, the performance of the pneumatic chamber as an energy source for a circulatory assist device was evaluated. The pneumatic chamber was able to generate power sufficient to drive a right ventricular assist device as far as stroke work was involved. When the pneumatic chamber was operated with a high afterload, it could even be an energy source for aortic counterpulsation.
Mizuhara
H
H
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Koshiji
T
T
Nishimura
K
K
Nomoto
S
S
Matsuda
K
K
Tsutsui
N
N
Kanda
K
K
Ban
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D013318:Stroke Volume