SOME ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HUMAN CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (THE RESONANT ARTERIAL SYSTEM)
Abstract
A study was made from an engineering viewpoint primarily to determine the need for (1) a human heart that produces a pulsating rather than steady flow and (2) an elastic circulatory system. It is suggested that the normal rhythmic contractions of the heart may produce pulsed flows which resonate with the natural frequencies of the arterial system. As a consequence the magnitudes of the myocardial forces and energies expended by the heart would then be minimal and tightly bounded for large flow rate variations. Sufficiently great and uncorrected changes in either or both the resonant character of the arterial system or the pulsed flows may cause the heart to overwork and die prematurely or may result in other system malfunctions. Resonance then may possible be a major physical design principle upon which the human cardiovascular system is based an which allows it to operate within its many constraints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0286257
Entities
People
- Daniel B. Nunn
- Kenneth E. Woodward
- Timothy G. Barilla
Organizations
- Harry Diamond Laboratories