This hardware edge detector tracks blood vessel diameter, and left and right wall thicknesses using an analog video signal. The principle of the instrument is based on sensing optical density changes of the vessel image at a chosen scan line seen on the TV monitor. The V-94 is well-suited for applications where a recording of blood vessel diameter and wall thickness is required.

The V-94 tracks diameter and wall thickness of vessels ranging from 50 to 350 µm in diameter. In some cases, particularly larger vessels, or those with thick walls, only the outside diameter can be measured. These measurements are displayed on digital panel meters, and analog outputs provide signals suitable for recording using most popular lab data acquisition systems (e.g., DAQ-PRO-U). Changes in blood vessel dimensions (constriction or dilation) are followed in real time.

Applications
• Record lumen diameter as a function of drug concentration, pressure, perfusate
flow, membrane potential, and neurotransmitter release
• Measure vasomotion, myogenic responses, and cardiac cell dimensions
• Calculate wall tension and wall stress
• Observe the influence of endothelium

Features
• Continuous display of lumen diameter and wall thickness as vessel changes size
• Eliminates subjectivity in measurement
• Calibrated voltage outputs for data acquisition
• Simplified operating controls
• VCR recorded images may be analyzed for additional data
• Video can be saved to VCR tape or computer disk using analog frame grabbers