Development of a Clinical Pulmonary Function Analyzer Suitable for Screening Tests.

摘要

The pulmonary diffusion capacity analyzer which is the subject of this report operates on a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) principle and provides--from a single breath of sample gas--a continuous profile of absorption. Carbon monoxide is the sample and methane is selected as the insoluble reference gas,based on a combination of technical and physiological criteria. This reference,measured continuously and simultaneously with CO,provides the concurrent dilution normalization factor. Also included is measurement capability for acetylene,intended to furnish total and regional pulmonary perfusion data and cardiac output. Results of clinical evaluation of a predecessor NDIR PFA are presented in support of the use of rapid response measurement of total and regional DLCO in clinical diagnosis of obstructive lung disease.