title: Progressive calibrated pressure device to measure cutaneous blood flow changes to external pressure strain.
abstract: The present methodological paper describes a simple and useful device for local, external pressure application. The mechanical devices, the difficulties, the time required, the possibilities and limitations of the technique to apply a progressive calibrated pressure and to measure cutaneous blood flow with a laser Doppler probe at the same site are discussed. This technique was used to study the effects of local pressure on the cutaneous blood flow with laser Doppler technique. Use of this protocol has provided evidence for a transient cutaneous vasodilation in the human hand during progressive externally applied pressure strain. Results from our laboratory thus far suggest that this vasodilator response is mediated by small sensory nerve fibres in the skin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physiologie et d'Explorations Vasculaires, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers, 49033, Angers, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fromy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Saumet
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002138:Calibration; D003714:Denervation; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008012:Lidocaine; D009824:Ointments; D011312:Pressure; D011318:Prilocaine; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine