An automated data acquisition system for capturing physiological parameters during animal trials of artificial heart valves

摘要

Animal trials form an important phase of any medical device development, especially in the context of implantable devices like artificial heart valves. Monitoring and recording parameters such as physiological pressures and Electrocardiogram (ECG) is essential for assessing the performance of the valve. A dedicated automated data acquisition system was developed for capturing these vital characteristics during implantation, immediately post operative and prior to the explantation of the device. The hardware was designed around the PXI (Pci extension for Instrumentation) modular data acquisition chassis and the software was developed using Lab VIEW (both National Instruments, USA). A set of transducers was identified, validated and incorporated into the system for converting physical signals to analogue electrical signals. The system was employed in more than fifteen animal experiments and found to be extremely useful for automated data capturing. It provided valuable sets of additional data for many specific studies like analysis of valve sounds, which would not have been possible if the conventional approach to animal experiments and data collection was used. A well planned strategy for collecting maximum useful data from animal experiments goes well along with the reduction alternative of the 3R strategies of replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments.