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Biomedical subjects

F Patat

Publications and source records attributed to F Patat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

High-resolution real-time ultrasonic scanner.

High spatial resolution is required for echographic exploration of the skin, microvessels or small laboratory animals. With the scanner described here, high resolution is obtained by means of a strongly focused, wide-band 17 MHz center frequency transducer (-6 dB bandwidth: 22 MHz). The movement of this transducer above the skin provides a 6 mm wide and 5 mm deep echographic cross-section with an image rate of 15 images/s. The resolution is about 0.08 mm in axial and 0.2 to 0.3 mm in lateral directions. The device was tested on phantoms in water and in vivo on normal and pathological skin in the Department of Dermatology. With the easy-to-handle probe, explorations were made on psoriasis, basocellular carcinoma, malignant melanoma and sarcoidosis.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Hemodynamic and hormonal effects of prolonged anti-G suit inflation in humans.

This study examined the hemodynamic consequences of prolonged lower body positive-pressure application and their relationship to changes in the plasma concentration of the major vasoactive hormones. Six men [36 +/- 2 (SE) yr] underwent 30 min of sitting and then 3 h of 70 degrees head-up tilt. An antigravity suit was applied (60 Torr legs, 30 Torr abdomen) during the last 2 h of tilt. In a similar noninflation experiment, the endocrine responses were measured in the suited subjects tilted for 3 h. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to calculate ventricular volume and cardiac output. Measurements were made 30 min before and 30 and 90 min after inflation. Immediately after inflation, mean arterial pressure increased by 7 +/- 2 Torr and heart rate decreased by 16 +/- 4 beats/min. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume and systolic volume increased significantly (P less than 0.05) at 30 and 90 min of inflation. Cardiac output increased after 30 min of inflation and returned to the preinflation level at 90 min. Plasma norepinephrine and plasma renin activity were maximally suppressed after 15 and 90 min of inflation, respectively (P less than 0.05). No such hormonal changes occurred during control. Plasma sodium, potassium, and osmolality remained unchanged during both experiments. Thus, prolonged application of lower body positive pressure induces 1) a transient increase in cardiac output and 2) a marked and sustained decrease in plasma norepinephrine and plasma renin activity, which reflect an inflation-induced decrease in sympathetic activity.

Adult

[The role of ultrasound technique in blood group typing].

The work presented here concerns the study and fabrication of a robot. This tool allows one to bring out the enormous potential represented by the interaction of ultrasounds with globular suspension. The traditional hemagglutination techniques employ the systematic use of a centrifuge and mechanical suspension. The advantage of these processes is the acceleration of reactions, however, the major inconvenience remains in the difficulty of automating these tests completely, especially when microplaques are used. Our study demonstrates that the force of the ultrasonic radiation created in an atmosphere of suspension is susceptible to replacing all mechanical movements. In a stationary ultrasonic field the erythrocytes in suspension assemble towards the pressure points. This phenomenon is characterized by a faster rate of sedimentation favoring agglutination as well. Under certain conditions the ultrasonic bundle produces small whirlwinds in the bowl. The result of this process is the homogenization of the suspension which permits the differentiation between the positive and negative reactions. With these observations in mind we developed a programmable robot prototype, the goal of which was to provide us with a means of greater investigation. The originality of this technique necessitated the realization of a high frequency ultrasound captor with large range and power. For supplying the necessary energy to the transducer we developed an electronic force based on the principle of commutation. The automation is controlled by a programmable microsequensor. This instrument will allow a standardization of a protocol primarily for tests of the group ABO. The results obtained are very encouraging; the next step is to further advance experimentation in more delicate tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching

Cardiovascular response to lower body negative pressure before, during, and after ten days head-down tilt bedrest.

The haemodynamic response to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was studied in 6 test subjects before (baseline), during, and after (recovery) ten days of 6 degrees head-down bedrest. The LBNP protocol consisted of a 35 min control period, application of a staircase differential pressure profile (15 min at -15 mmHg; 5 min at -30 mmHg; 15 min at -40 mmHg), and a 10 min post-stress observation period. Cardiac output was measured by a foreign gas rebreathing technique. Finger plethysmographic arterial blood pressure (BP), ECG, and heart rate (HR), lower limb crossectional area, and the electrical impedance of three body segments were recorded continuously. As expected, HDT caused a decrease in plasma volume and total body fluid volume. Resting CO at the end of HDT was 16% below the baseline level and similar to CO in the upright position before HDT. Stroke volume (SV) was also reduced, but there were no significant changes in control HR or BP. Absolute changes in CO and SV during LBNP were similar at baseline and during HDT, but the relative changes were larger during HDT. HR and vasoconstriction responses were enhanced, but presyncope occurred in two subjects. Reduced cardiac filling with decreased stroke volume at rest is the apparent primary cause of the altered LBNP response during HDT.

Adult

Influence of the measurement location on the resistance index in the umbilical arteries: a hemodynamic approach.

A computer model was used to study the primary factors generating the reduction in resistance index, (S-D)/S, values observed by ultrasonic Doppler measurements in the umbilical artery, from the fetal insertion to the placental insertion (S represents the amplitude of the systolic peak and D the amplitude of the diastolic peak). This hemodynamic approach shows that the placental resistance is the primary factor, the viscosity and the cord length playing secondary roles. Clinically, the position of the measurement along the cord is an important factor. To increase the sensitivity of the index, the Doppler measurement must be performed near the fetal insertion, whereas a measurement near the placental insertion will make the Doppler examination more specific.

Blood Flow Velocity

Very high frequency pulsed Doppler apparatus.

A study of a method for exploration of microvessels is presented. Theoretical considerations taking into account the backscattering of ultrasound wave from a red cell and the attenuation versus frequency (up to 180 MHz) show that a frequency in the range of 80 to 120 MHz is most favorable for small depths of exploration (300 microns). The characteristics of the 113 MHz Doppler system which was built are described. The minimum detectable signal is 3 microV, the lateral resolution around 20 microns and the minimum length of the Doppler sample volume about 80 microns. The Doppler data are displayed in the form of a frequency spectrum. The first encouraging tests carried out using 20 microns rectangular glass capillary tubes and 50 to 150 microns microvessels of the mesentery of rat have demonstrated the resolution and the sensitivity of the system. A discussion illustrates the difficult problem of motion artefacts and the improvements which have to be made. From a technical point of view the authors think that it is possible to work with such a high frequency but there are two main difficulties: the processing of a very low frequency Doppler spectrum and the optimization of the probe (dimensions and shape).

Animals

A linear array system for deep vessel explorations.

A system for the exploration of deep vessels is proposed. This device is based on a single 300 element linear array in which a "Doppler area" is selected to electronically steer a Doppler beam. Characteristics of the equipment are excellent and it is as easy to handle as a simple linear array scanner. A real-time spectrum analyser is used to process the Doppler signals. The probe and the associated electronics are described and some results are given to illustrate the capabilities of the device such as blood flow estimation and deep vessel studies.

Aorta

Exploration of the fetal cerebral blood flow by duplex Doppler--linear array system in normal and pathological pregnancies.

The umbilical circulation can be investigated by Doppler ultrasound techniques very easily. The Doppler frequency spectrum from the umbilical arteries provides information on the placental circulation. The diastolic flow amplitude is directly related to the vascular resistances of the placenta (Rp). In cases of pathological pregnancies with hypertension the decrease of the diastolic flow and the increase of the resistance index Rp have been correlated with intrauterine fetal growth retardation. Fetal cerebral arteries have also been explored during normal pregnancies (n = 40). The index of cerebral resistance (Rc) as defined by Pourcelot is Rc = S-D/S (with S systolic amplitude and D diastolic amplitude) and shows variations similar to the placental index. During normal pregnancy, the cerebral index is higher than the placental index and the cerebro-placental ratio (Rc/Rp) is greater than 1. This preliminary study of both umbilical and cerebral circulation seems to demonstrate that during pathological pregnancies with hypertension (n = 21), with fetal growth retardation one of the indices, Rc or Rp may be out of the normal range but the cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) is always less than 1. However a larger number of patients should be explored in order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of such an observation.

Cerebral Arteries

[Doppler examination of the umbilical and cerebral arterial circulation of the fetus].

Umbilical circulation can be explored by Doppler ultrasound methods very easily. The umbilical arteries spectrum provides information on the placental circulation. The diastolic flow is directly related to the vascular resistances of the placenta (Rp). In cases of pathological pregnancies with hypertension the decrease in the diastolic flow and the increase in the resistance index Rp have been correlated with intra-uterine fetal growth retardation. The specificity of this index Rp is of 95% but the sensitivity much more lower (approximately 70%). For that reason Doppler assessment of the fetal circulation in other areas has been recently carried out. Fetal cerebral arteries have been explored during normal pregnancies. The index of cerebral resistances as defined by Pourcelot Rc = S-D divided by S (with S systolic amplitude and D diastolic amplitude) show similar variations to the placental index but later in the pregnancy. During the pregnancy the cerebral index is higher than the placental one and the cerebro placental ratio (CPR) superior to 1. During pathological pregnancy (hypertension) with fetal growth retardation one of the index Rc or Rp may be out of the normal range but the cerebro placental ratio CPR is always lower than 1. The follow up of both the umbilical and cerebral circulation increases notably the accuracy of the Doppler method for the detection of intra-uterine fetal growth retardation.

Cerebrovascular Circulation