Presenting Author The University of Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania
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 ventricles 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 structures1. This extends the devices utility beyond cardiovascular principles, a foundational idea behind the pedagogical approach of incorporating Core Concepts of Physiology2 in physiological instruction. Several such approaches are described.
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.
lt;pgt;Supported by The University of Scranton.lt;/pgt;lt;pgt;Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Sweeney has a financial interest in the arterial demonstration device (US Letters Patent No. 9,293,065), which is marketed as the Sweeney Arterial Demonstration Deviceamp;trade; by NEPA Scientific Products, LLC, of which Sweeney is a co-owner.lt;/pgt;
