System 6 Update: Triton Develops Active
Redirection Transit Time Flowmeter Konigsberg Teams with Triton People & Places Powerful CORDAT II Data Acquisition
System Released Triton's Corner Recently Published Scientific Papers
Of Interest Triton Technology has released a new Active Redirection Transit Time (ARTē) Flowmeter module, as the newest addition to the System 6 modular instrument family.
The module, which operates on transit-time principles, utilizes a patent-pending technique of biased insonication and active redirection to measure cardiac output in experimental preparations. The module was designed specifically for use with Triton's System 6 Modular Physiological Monitoring System.
Most important in this advancement is the development of Triton's X-Probe. The new probe, which works exclusively with the ART2 Flowmeter module, was developed to overcome the difficulties of size, weight and signal strength commonly found In existing single path or reflecting double path probe designs.
The X-Probe uses active redirection to generate a folded ultrasonic signal pattern across a vessel to measure blood flow (as illustrated in figure 1). The ultrasonic signal is transmitted from element A to element B, then electrically applied to element C which retransmits it to element D. This geometry results in a longer transmission path giving better resolution while allowing for a shorter, more compact probe.
"The Triton X-Probe is extremely light-weight with no rough edges. This design not only facilitates the surgical implantation, but also reduces the likelihood of aortic distortion or rupture," according to Delvin Knight, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Both the ART2 Flowmeter module and the X-Probe were developed by Triton Technology. With this new addition, the System 6 now offers six different modules and measurement capabilities including:
Active Redirection Transit Time Flowmeter* Cardiac output
Sonomicrometer Soft tissue dimensions
(i.e. LV diameter)
Pulsed Doppler Flowmeter Blood flow velocity
Doppler Displacement Myocardial wall thickening
Dual Pressure Amplifier* Intravascular blood pressure
Pressure & dP/dt* Blood pressure amplifier with
first derivative output
(*Expansion chassis are now available for modules which do not
require external timing and synchronization.)
The System 6 design includes a mainframe which contains timing, synchronization circuits and power supplies and can be configured to hold any combination of up to six different modules. As future modules are developed, users can easily upgrade or reconfigure their units to incorporate those modules.
Konigsberg Instruments, a leading manufacturer of implantable transducers for 25 years, has formed an alliance with Triton Technology to manufacture Triton's sonomicrometer transducers and flow probes.
This agreement gives Triton the exclusive right to market Konigsberg's full line of precision miniature ultrasonic transducers which are routinely used with Triton's sonomicrometers and flowmeters. This includes the popular SL5-2 segment length, WT5-2 wall thickness, EP5-2 epicardial patch and Doppler displacement piezoelectric transducers.
In addition, Triton will offer a premium line of Konigsberg's implantable pressure transducers, well known for their reliability and stability. The P-Series transducers are Konigsberg Instruments' foremost product and are routinely used by the world's leading institutions for chronic small preparation studies.
Because the P4.5 and P6.5 Series X4 and X6 premium stability grade transducers have been so widely accepted, Triton will offer these products to customers on a short-term delivery schedule.
According to Eph Konigsberg, President of Konigsberg Instruments, "Both companies are recognized leaders in the manufacturer of cardiovascular research instruments and this association represents our continuing commitment to providing complete quality cardiovascular implantable instrumentation to the research community."
Triton will begin taking orders for both new product lines this November and expects to increase ultrasonic transducer shipment capability by over 50 percent by the end of this year.
MICHAEL S. HASTINGS FORMS DISS
Michael S. Hastings, formerly with and co-founder of Po-Ne-Mah, has founded Data Integrated Scientific Systems (DISS) to provide the research community with state-of-the-art scientific software products, support and services. Just recently, he announced an agreement with Triton Technology to market the CORDAT II Data Acquisition and Analysis System.
Michael has eight years of international experience in the design, development, and support of scientific software systems for cardio/hemodynamic in vivo research. Michael, his wife Kathleen, and two children, Alexander and Stephanie, reside in Michigan. Michael's hobbies include cross-country skiing, darts and wood cutting.
Triton Technology along with Data Integrated Scientific Systems (DISS) has announced the release of the CORDAT II Data Acquisition, Analysis and Presentation System.
The new system, developed by a team of leading researchers at University of Essen in Germany, was designed for use in cardiovascular laboratories to acquire, analyze, and present physiological measurement information during acute and chronic animal experiments.
The CORDAT II System makes it possible for physiological information to be collected from standard analog instruments, stored, and graphed on a continuous basis during an experimental procedure. As interventions are performed, the physiological effects are immediately displayed allowing the investigator to monitor the progress of the experiment through measurements such as left ventricular and aortic pressure, blood flow and myocardial wall thickness.
According to Dr. Rainer Schulz, director of the CORDAT II development team, "The CORDAT II is the most powerful system available. It has unique capabilities not found in other systems that give the cardiovascular researcher complete flexibility and control during the data acquisition and analysis process."
The most unique feature of the CORDAT II System is the advanced multi-tasking software. The software, which operates with a graphical user interface (or window and menu environment) allows the user to intuitively and easily manage multiple tasks during an experiment without interrupting data acquisition. During data acquisition, with the use of industry standard pull-down menus, the user can:
This ability to concurrently manage multiple tasks and control system operation during an experiment is imperative in order to avoid data loss. CORDAT II is the only system that allows the user to continue data collection and graphing while modifying the system configuration to meet changing physiologic conditions. In comparison, competing systems force the user to stop data collection while making changes such as calibration settings or chart gain adjustments. Such limitation in those systems may result in a loss of critical data.
The CORDAT II System design incorporates a unique dual monitor configuration. The first monitor, dedicated to the pulldown menu user interface, displays all system settings, tabular data, other alphanumeric information and history mode amplitude data. In addition the user interface permits previously saved data to be retrieved then displayed along side the real-time data allowing for intra-individual comparisons between control, challenged, and occluded conditions.
The second monitor, designated exclusively for the graphics presentation, can display up to six measurement signals. While continuing to collect data, the user can also adjust graphical parameters such as trace color, chart speed or signal gain. The graphics display also operates in a scope or scroll mode (where it can overlap two or more signals to determine physiological shifts) or in a dual-window mode for pressure volume loops.
The CORDAT II System uses industry standard computer hardware including an IBM compatible PC with a '486' processor, a GB optical disk drive, two high resolution VGA monitors, and a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printer.
Both Triton and DISS specialize in cardiovascular research instrumentation. Along with other physiological instruments and transducer products, Triton will market the CORDAT II System while DISS will handle installation and training.
This marks the second collaboration between Triton Technology and University of Essen for developing new and innovative technologies. In 1990, Triton successfully introduced Dye-Trak, the first non-radioactive, dye-released microspheres for detecting regional blood flow in animals.
Evaluation of parameters for the assessment of regional myocardial contractile function during asynchronous left ventricular contraction, Guth BD, Schulz R, Heusch G, Basic Research in Cardiology 85:550-562, 1990.
Recruitment of an inotropic reserve in moderately ischemic myocardium at the expense of metabolic recovery, Schulz R, Guth B, Pieper K, Martin C, Heusch G, Circulation Research Vol 70, No 6, June 1992.
Pressure-flow characteristics in the right and left ventricular perfusion territories of the right coronary artery in swine, Guth BD, Schulz R, Heusch G, Pflugers Archive, European Journal of Physiology 419:622-628, 1991.
"No effect of coronary perfusion on regional myocardial function within the autoregulatory range in pigs" Schulz R, Guth B, Heusch G, Circulation Vol 83, No 4, April 1991.
DR. BRUCE LEONE AWARDED PALM TOP COMPUTER
Dr. Bruce Leone, Duke University Department of Anestheisology, was the recipient of a 95LX Hewlett-Packard palm top computer last month as the winner of Triton's "Cite Triton" promotion.
During the promotion users were asked to send in their published scientific papers that cited the use of Triton's instruments or microspheres. The first author of each qualified paper received a HP-20S scientific calculator. The names of all authors of papers were entered into drawing for the HP computer. In reply, over 40 reprints were received from researchers around the world.
If you would like a free copy of our current bibliography, please let us know by calling (800) 872-1251.
Synergistic Effect on Reduction in Blood Pressure with Coadministration of the Renin Inhibitor, CP-80, 794, and the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Captopril, Fossa A, Weinberg L, Barber R, Rauch A, et al., Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Vol 20 No 1, July 1992.
Microvascular Sites and Mechanisms Responsible for Reactive Hyperemia in the Coronary Circulation of the Beating Canine Heart, Kanatsuka H, Sekiguchi N, Sate K, Akai K, et al., Circulation Research Vol 71, No 4, Oct 1992.
Copyright 1995 Triton Technology, Inc.
Updated May 29, 1998