BTPS calibration of heated Fleisch pneumotachometer.

The Fleisch pneumotachometer (PTM) gives the instantaneous respiratory gas flow, and when integrated provides the volume of gas displaced. Its output signal is proportional to the product of the flow and the viscosity of the gas. The calibration factor is thus different for inspiration and expiration.

Alveostat, an alveolar PACO2 and PAO2 control system.

In the study of the physiological regulation of respiration through a control system model it is necessary to test the ventilatory response to various forcing functions of either the parrtial pressure of alveolar carbon dioxide (PACO2) or oxygen (PAO2). Since PACO2 and PAO2 are both functions of alveolar ventilation and metabolic rate, such a result cannot be obtained by merely changing the composition of the inspired gases without a feedback control. Thus a servomechanism is necessary.

Kinematics of spontaneous breathing: the ventilatory system as a non-linear oscillator.

The kinematics of spontaneous breathing at rest and during moderate exercise is described exactly by a non-linear differential equation, the parameters of which are determined by observation with a pneumotachograph. Analogue circuits are used for the determination of the coefficients and for the comparison by superimposition of the actual spirogram with its simulation. The ventilatory system, taken as a whole and without any assumption concerning its structure, works as a non-linear oscillator.