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Arterial Demonstration Device Illustrates Core Physiological Concepts
Author(s) -
Sweeney Terrence E.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r4868
Subject(s) - spirometer , computer science , core (optical fiber) , cardiology , medicine , anatomy , telecommunications , lung , exhaled nitric oxide , lung function
We have created a hand‐held, interactive arterial demonstration device that simplifies the teaching of several core physiological concepts. The device consists of low breaking point one‐way spirometer valve coupled serially to a flow‐through latex balloon that is fitted distally with a flow restrictor. The spirometer valve models the aortic valve; the latex balloon models the elastic arteries; the restrictor valve models the peripheral resistance. The user blows vigorously and intermittently into the proximal end of the device, modeling the ventricle's stroke volume. Initially designed to clarify the role of elastic arteries in cardiovascular function, it became evident that the arterial demonstration device could be employed to explain and demonstrate a number of physiological principles, including the distinct structure and functions of arteries and veins, the pathophysiological impact of aortic valve dysfunction (using device versions that incorporate dysfunctional valves), and the Law of LaPlace. Further, the device can be used to demonstrate several core physiological concepts, including causality; flow down gradients; energy acquisition, transformation and use; and mass balance in elastic structures 1 . This extends the device's utility beyond cardiovascular principles, a foundational idea behind the pedagogical approach of incorporating Core Concepts of Physiology 2 in physiological instruction. Several such approaches are described. 1 Modell, H., Adv. Physiol. Educ . 23: 101‐107, 2000. 2 Michaels, J et al. The core concepts of physiology: A new paradigm for teaching physiology. DOI 10.1007/978‐1‐4939‐6909‐8, Springer, 2017.