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Piezoelectric polymer curvature sensor for measurement of regional curvature radius of LV wall.

To evaluate regional myocardial function, we developed a curvature sensor for direct and instantaneous measurement of the regional curvature radius of the LV wall. The sensor is a bimorph of two sheets of thin piezoelectric polymer film. The relation between output voltage of the sensor and the reciprocal of the known curvature radius has been shown to be linear. In anesthetized dogs, we inserted the curvature sensor into the subepimyocardium with a specially designed introducer. Special care was taken to insert it parallel to the epicardial surface. Circumferential regional curvature radius, which is defined as the reciprocal of regional curvature, showed the same phasic changes as the short-axis diameter under control conditions. Under regional ischemia caused by transient occlusion of the coronary artery, amplitude of the phasic change in regional curvature radius decreased, whereas that of the short-axis diameter did not change or slightly increased. Phasic changes in regional curvature radius cannot be estimated from short-axis diameter during regional ischemia. We calculated regional wall tension from the directly measured regional curvature radius and LV pressure and found that tension-length loop clearly differentiates between regional myocardial function under control and ischemic conditions. We have concluded that our newly developed curvature sensor is accurate, that its practical use is feasible, and that measurement of the regional curvature radius of the LV wall provides detailed and accurate information on regional shape and function of the left ventricle.