Long-term monitoring of respiration with a mediastinal pressure sensor in dogs.
The ability of an implanted mediastinal pressure sensor to produce a stable respiratory signal that could be used to trigger stimulation of upper airway muscles was examined. In 6 dogs, a pressure sensor was secured to the manubrium (4 by wires and 2 by transmanubrial placement). In 6 other dogs, the pressure sensor was placed in the upper anterior mediastinum. The animals were monitored for a minimum of 8 weeks (2 transmanubrial sensors for 12 months). Sensors that were able to maintain a midline position, high in the mediastinum, had the best signals. A caudal sensor position or abutment against an intrathoracic structure caused signal inversion (unusable signals). Transmanubrial placement resulted in a stable signal for 1 year. We conclude that long-term monitoring of respiration with a mediastinal pressure sensor can be successfully performed in dogs, providing an adequate signal for nerve-muscle stimulation. Separation from cardiovascular structures improves signal quality.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis,  USA.
G S
GS
Goding
D W
DW
Eisele
M A
MA
Christopherson
A R
AR
Schwartz
R L
RL
Testerman
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004566:Electrodes; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000502:physiology*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D013997:Time Factors