The lack of blood flow to the small intestine causes mesenteric ischemia. Using a Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) which measures the magnetic field of the small intestine, we are hoping to identify abnormalities without surgical intervention.
The electrical activity of the small intestine may contain important information that will help us diagnose gastrointestinal diseases. The major impediment to reducing mortality of mesenteric ischemia is the lack of a noninvasive diagnostic test that identifies the syndrome before extensive necrosis occurs. Mesenteric ischemia is caused by the lack of blood flow to the intestine. The Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) measures the magnetic field of the intestinal smooth muscle. By comparing normal smooth muscle and that of patients with mesenteric ischemia, we hope to identify abnormal disease states without surgery.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
To observe a difference in the magnetic activity between normal and diseased smooth muscle
Time frame: 2011
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