Automated system for detailed measurement of respiratory mechanics

Abstract

An automated system to facilitate the accurate measurements of elastance and resistance in laboratory and clinical settings at the frequencies and tidal volumes in the physiologic range of breathing has been developed. The system uses a personal computer to drive a common clinically used ventilator while simultaneously collecting measurements of airway flow, airway pressure and esophageal pressure from experimental subjects at different frequencies and tidal volumes. Analysis analogous to discrete Fourier transform at the fundamental frequency is used to calculate elastances and resistances of the total respiratory system and its components, the lungs and the chest wall.