Opto-mechanical microbridles for the determination of structural and functional properties of small resistance arteries

This work presents a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) system (named microbridle) monolithically integrating optical (microlenses, air mirrors etc.) and mechanical elements (cantilever) for the real time monitoring of dilatation and contraction events in small resistance arteries. Structural (response to intraluminal pressure changes) and functional properties (response to vasoactive substances) of mesenteric arteries were determined with the microbridle structure and compared to those obtained with conventional myograph systems. Both systems provide comparable data although microbridles were found advantageous in terms of precision, resolution (below the μm) and reliability for the poor contrast between sample and surrounding medium that impede reliable myography recordings.