*2.6.4. Post-placement care*

174 Practical Applications in Biomedical Engineering

**2.6. Experimental model for analyzing weight loss** 

hormonal and blood biochemical evaluations.

accomplishing weight loss in the animal.

steps as the previous experiment, as shown in Table 1.

Weight (kg) ݔ

*2.6.2. Definition of the groups* 

Groups (n=2)

**Table 1.** Group Distribution.

*2.6.1. Plan for placement* 

It has been suggested that application is the placement and utilization of the CFE® module in the upper third of the esophagus (3 cm after the passage of the upper sphincter) of the dogs through video-endoscopy over a period of seven days as a weight loss method. The research protocol was previously submitted and approved by the Ethics Committee for Human and Animal Medical Research at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) (process number 060/2008, registered on SAPP-WEB number 33256). To conduct the experimental procedure, eight adult dogs, of no specific breed, males and females, with body weights varying between 9.2 and 17.8 kg were selected. Before the experiment, the animals were kept at the Veterinarian Hospital kennel at the Federal University of Goiás to be submitted to quarantine procedures in addition to laboratory exams like blood count, urinalysis,

The technique proposed for this new method is based on the mechanical decrease of the esophageal lumen, which directly influences a decrease in the speed and volume of food consumption, without altering the digestive tract or bringing about physiological and nutritional alterations: the outcome of the technique is weight loss. To achieve this, the CFE module was tested experimentally on animals, with the objective of verifying its capacity for

For this experiment, six dogs of no special breed, males and females, with body weight varying between 9.780 to 18.100 kg were selected. The process for recruiting and handling the animals followed the same norms described in the previous experiment. At this point, note that the animals were divided into two groups – the weight control-group (GCp) and the test-group (GT). In the weight control-group, the animals received the same dietary treatment and the same routine as the test-group; however, the module was not placed in the subjects in the first group. In the test-group, the module was placed following the same

GC 12.84 1 1 60 GT1 11.56 1 1 100 GT2 12.10 0 2 120 GT3 14.63 0 2 140

Sex Pressure applied

F M (mmHg)

The post-placement period and the routine of the animals were carried out similar to the previous experiment.

#### *2.6.5. Evaluation parameters*

The parameters used in the evaluation were volume, speed, ingestion time, nutritional, hormonal and complete blood count, in addition to weight loss.

## *2.6.6. Volume, speed and ingestion time*

The same diet (nutritional, quantity, and schedule characteristics) was chosen for evaluating the behavior of the dogs while eating, as well as for measuring the food left over (which was weighed and recorded). Another point evaluated was the time spent eating in both groups – which is approximately proportional to the volume ingested – through clinical observation, a timer and a precision scale.

### *2.6.7. Nutritional, hormonal and complete blood count*

The nutritional, hormonal and complete blood count was investigated by blood tests done before and after the placement. The tests done were classified as nutritional and blood count tests.

#### *2.6.8. Weight loss*

Weighing of the animals was done before the placement and after every two days until the module was withdrawn. Weights in the beginning and in the end of the experiment were compared, and comparisons were also made between the control and test groups.

#### **2.7. Evaluation instruments**

#### *2.7.1. Clinical observation*

Clinical observation was one of the evaluation instruments used, in which a daily chart was filled out with data referring to the following data bases: 1) reaction of dog before and after meals; 2) reaction of dog during ingestion of water; 3) stool consistency; 4) amount voided; 5) behavior (irritated, agitated, normal); 6) gagging, cough, vomit, choking; 7) signs of dysphagia; 8) behavior in the presence of other dogs; 9) blood tests; 10) weight at the end of the day.
