Video Dimension Analyzer

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 VDA-10 is well-suited for applications where a recording of blood vessel diameter and wall thickness is required.

The VDA-10 tracks 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 voltage 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 on vascular responses

Features

Continuous display of lumen diameter and wall thickness as vessel changes size
Eliminates subjectivity in measurement
Calibrated analog voltage outputs for data acquisition
Simplified operating controls including enhanced left & right vessel wall window start/width control
VCR recorded images may be analyzed for additional data
Video can be saved to VCR tape or computer disk using analog frame grabbers