Equivalent circuit technique for lymph flow studies

Abstract

Lymph vessels branch and interconnect in a manner similar to a complex electronic circuit. Accordingly, we have applied circuit analysis techniques to the analysis of lymphatic systems. A lymph vessel is cannulated and the "equivalent circuits" are determined for the parts of the vessel upstream and downstream of the site of cannulation. Each equivalent circuit consists of a single resistor in series with a single pressure source. A diode is included to represent the lymphatic valves. The lymph flow rate may be determined by calculating the flow in the circuits when they are connected to each other. This technique can be applied to larger lymph trunks that receive lymph from many tissues.