HIGH-SENSITIVITY OPTICAL LYMPH FLOW-METER

O Sorensen, A Engeset, WI Olszewski, T Lindmo

Abstract


An optical flow-meter is described which allows
precise and continuous registration of the flow of
lymph from cannulated human lymph vessels. The
cannula from the lymph vessel is connected to the
measurement tubing of the instrument where the
flow is measured by automatically monitoring the
movement of an air bubble introduced into the flow
at the beginning of the measurement. The limit of
sensitivity of the instrument is about 0.1 J.LI, allowing
reliable registration of stroke volumes of about
1 J.LI which typically occur in human leg lymphatics.
The size and capacity of the instrument were chosen
to be suitable for clinical use. A technical description
of the instrument is given. Application of the
instrument is illustrated with recording of lymph
flow and lateral intralymphatic pressure in a prenodal
lymph vessel of the human leg.


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