<title>Dimensional analysis of blood vessels in the pressure myograph</title>

Abstract

The accuracy of conventional and emerging methods for the dimensional analysis of optically imaged arterial vessels, isolated in a pressure myograph, is investigated. The pressure myograph is a device used to study the structure and function of isolated sections of small resistance arteries, as a function of chemical, mechanical and electrical stimuli. The arterial wall and lumen dimensions are particularly important indicators of anatomy and pathology. The conventional method of dimensional analysis uses edge detection, however the accuracy of this approach is questionable when the vessel is in a contracted state since contrast deteriorates or is lost between lumen and vessel wall. The conventional and emerging methods are examined experimentally with vessel phantoms, to provide known characteristics. A novel algorithm, based on a measurement of the vessel extinction coefficient, is also examined theoretically and experimentally. A discussion centers on the possibility for realistic lumen size measurement when edge detection can not be applied and when the accuracy of edge detection is questionable.