A tool and an instrument modification to facilitate aortic flow probe placement.

A tool was designed and fabricated to simplify the procedure of placing a flow probe around the aortic root in acute animal experiments. The tool was made from a section of silicone rubber tubing which was flattened and tapered at one end. The flow probe was inserted into the open end of the tool, and the tapered end was drawn under the aorta, thus pulling the probe into position. Grooves were also ground into the probe body to ease the installation of the slot cover. During the 2 years that the tool and modified probes were used, they saved time and eliminated rupture of vessels as complications of aortic root flow probe placement.