Measurement of the Lumen Diameter in Vessels and Grafts: A New in Situ Method

A method and an equipment for measuring lumen diameters of vessels and vascular grafts in situ in experimental and clinical situations have been designed and tested on animals.The measurements were performed with a balloon catheter inserted in the lumen of the vessel. Saline was injected into the balloon, which increases in size spherically. The relationship between the hydrostatic pressure in the balloon, the volume of the injectate and the diameter of the balloon was registered and processed by a computer. The diameters were recorded graphically and digitally.The method and the designed equipment showed good precision. The meas uring procedure is not time consuming and the equipment is easy to handle.