Differences Between Intrathoracic Gas Measured by the Body Plethysmograph and Functional Residual Capacity Determined by Gas Dilution Methods

2015 ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Reichel
Keyword(s):  
Functional Residual Capacity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Gas Dilution ◽  
Body Plethysmograph

A VALVE FOR RESPIRATORY STUDIES IN INFANTS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-647
Author(s):  
Richard J. Golinko ◽  
Abraham M. Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Dead Space ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
The Body ◽  
Large Head ◽  
The Face ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Respiratory Valve ◽  
Body Plethysmograph

PULMONARY function studies in small infants have been limited in the past by failure to develop practical methods for collecting expired gas samples. Adaption of a respiratory valve suitable for use in small subjects with small tidal volumes has been difficult and has led to the use of techniques with the body plethysmograph, contour face mask and large head chamber. The body plethysmograph offers only indirect data and requires considerable prepration before each study. In addition, it has the disadvantage that once the infant is placed in the plethysmograph chamber further manipulations of the infant are not possible. Systems using the contour face mask on head chamber involve a large dead space which may be quite significant when one considers the small volumes dealt with. In order to overcome the problem of large dead space, Cayler et al., similar to others, circulated air across the face of the contour mask. However, because of the dilution effect, differences in the composition of the inspired and expired gases were very small and therefore the chance for error in the calculations was increased. Berglund and Karlberg, and Geubelle et al., while studying functional residual capacity in infants, found that practically all quiet, healthy newborn infants breathe through the nose and can also tolerate the insertion of small tubes in their nostrils for varying periods. On the basis of these observations, a respiratory valve has been designed for insertion directly into the nostrils, permitting collection of total expired air. The valve, especially adapted for use in small infants, offers minimal resistance to respiration and has a dead space of 0.8 ml.

Concurrent measurements of functional residual capacity by three methods

1962 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 871-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. Tierney ◽  
Jay A. Nadel
Keyword(s):  
Functional Residual Capacity ◽  
Total Lung Capacity ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lung Capacity ◽  
Thoracic Gas Volume ◽  
Nitrogen Dilution ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gas Volume

We made concurrent measurements of the functional residual capacity (FRC) with the body plethysmograph (thoracic gas volume) and by 7-min and prolonged open-circuit nitrogen dilution methods (communicating gas volume). The mean difference between the 7-min communicating gas volume and the thoracic gas volume in 13 healthy subjects was only 0.13 liters. The thoracic gas volume averaged 0.99 liters larger than the communicating gas volume after 7 min of O2 breathing in 13 patients with emphysema. The communicating gas volume at 12–18 min was the same as the thoracic gas volume in 11 of 13 patients but was smaller in the other 2. When the thoracic gas volume was used to measure FRC, the total lung capacity averaged 142% of predicted normal in 13 patients with emphysema. Submitted on January 4, 1962

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