A prong-catheter

for inducing vascular distention

in the intact animal

Clark M. Blatteis, Ph.D. Eugene F. Tucker

Fort Knox, Ky.

I n cardiovascular research it is some- times desired to study the effects in

the intact animal of localized vascular distention. The preferred method at present consists of passing a Dotter-Lukas (bal- loon) catheter to the experimental site,1-3 and then to inflate the balloon. The dif- ficulty arises, however, in that the inflated balloon obstructs the flow of blood, making interpretation of results obtained by this method disputable.

The present communication describes a new instrument for distending blood vessels without obstructing flow.

Methods and results

The device consists of 4 pieces of stag- gered lengths, circa l-3/4 inches, of .022- inch spring steel wire soldered onto a .045-inch spring steel wire which runs the entire length of a 50 cm., size lOF, radi- opaque Cournand catheter (Fig. 1). These 4 wires are bent outward so as to form a spreader approximately 14.2 inches in diameter, which retracts into a tube 2% inches long made from ?/;-inch brass tapered on both ends externally and threaded onto the outer diameter of the catheter. The tube is counterdrilled $5

Fig. 1. Engineering diagram of the prong-catheter. Above: Spreader retracted. Below: Spreader expanded.

From the Division of Environmental ML dicine, 1’. S. .Army Medical Research Laboratory. Fort Knox. KY. Received for publication July 18, 1960.

Prong-catheter for inducing vascular distention 237

Fig. 2. X-ray photograph of the prong-catheter expanded in the inferior vena cava, near its entrance into the right auricle. The other catheters have been positioned in the chambers of the heart for the recording of pressure.

inch on its proximal end to accommodate a 6/32-inch tap, so that it cuts its own thread when screwed onto the catheter but not deeply enough to damage it. The tips of the wires have small knobs of solder to prevent them from puncturing the walls of the blood vessel when ex- panded. The proximal end of the long wire has a handle for grasping.

The catheter is ready for insertion into a vessel when the wires are retracted into the tube. By pushing forward on the handle, the prongs are released distally and the vessel is distended (Fig. 2).

Conclusions

The above-described instrument shows promise of very practical usefulness in cardiovascular research since it is possible to position the catheter in any desired, accessible area of the vascular tree, per- mitting local mechanical vascular dis- tention without the inconvenience of block- ing the flow of blood. We have found this device useful in studies involving the afferent initiation of the Bainbridge reflex. These will be reported in a separate publi- cation.

Summary

A new prong-catheter is described that permits vascular distention in the intact animal as a tool for studying certain cardio- vascular reflexes.

REFERENCES

1. Klussman, F. W., Van Citters, R. L., and Rush- mer, R. F.: Cardiovascular effects of distortion of stretch receptors in the cardiac walls, Fed. Proc. 19:92, 1960.

2. Cross, C. E., Salisbury, P. E., and Rieben, P. A.: Reflex effects of left ventricular dis- tention, Fed. Proc. 19:104, 1960.

3. Ballin, J. R., and Katz, L. N.: Observations on the localization of the receptor area of the Bainbridge reflex, Am. J. Physiol. 135:202, 1941.