Measurement of Electrical Signals in the Intestine

1
Measurement of Electrical Signals in the Intestine

• Allison Redmond and Kevin Parton
• Advised by
• Dr. Bill Richards, M.D.
• Dr. Alan Bradshaw, Ph.D.
• Dr. Scott Seidel, M.D.

2
Overview of Physiology

• Consists of ileum, jejunum, and duodenum
• Composed of smooth muscle
• Involuntary response
• Important to bodys uptake of nutrients and
  removal of wastes

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Electrical Signals in the Intestine?

• All muscle conducts electrical impulses to be
  active
• Manifested as BER
• Basic Electrical Rhythm
• 10-12 cycles per minute
• This electrical activity can be measured

4
Problem

• Intestine can be ischemic
• Lack of blood flow
• leads to necrosis
• Necrotic bowel must be removed
• surrounded by gray areas
• need to check periodically
• Causes need for additional surgery

5
Group Purpose

• Electrodes can be introduced
• attached to recording equipment
• Values can be taken
• propagation velocity
• amplitude
• frequency
• Can be diagnostic
• extra surgeries not necessary

6
Our Objective

• Tissue Impedance can be measured
• Done on surface and in body
• Known values not available
• Impedance should change with necrosis
• We will test in rabbits
• Our hope is that this will lead to better
  assessment of overall function

7
Past Work

• Determine best method for investigating tissue
  impedance.
• Learn to use LR-700 AC Resistance Bridge.
• Call Linear Research Inc. for technical
  assistance.

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Current Work

• Design connection from impedance meter to
  electrodes
• Gather materials
• Begin assembly
• Test meter accuracy on sciatic nerve of frog

9
Future Work

• Test electrodes on a rabbit to determine the
  correct configuration.
• Using our connector device, test bowel impedance
  of a rabbit during ischemia.
• If there is significant change, begin
  construction of a medically suitable impedance
  meter.