Theory of propagation of peristaltic waves along ureter and their simulation in electronic model.

Various aspects of the propagation of peristaltic waves along the ureter, in particular the effect of the duration of the interperistaltic intervals on the propagation velocity of these waves and on the electromyographic response, are explained on the assumption that local tissue refractoriness is the underlying cause of these effects. The concept of local reaction time being determined by the slope of the local myogenic stimulus pulse is also introduced. An electronic model of the propagation process is described. The operation of this model suggests that a gradient in refractory period along the ureter is responsible for stopping the peristaltic waves. It is further concluded that the minimum interstimulus interval at which terminating peristaltic waves are generated is a measure of the local conductivity of the ureter.