Measurement Techniques
This page lists techniques used primarily in the area of measuring respiratory mechanics. Although the selection focuses on techniques used in SCIREQ products, some techniques we do not presently employ are included for comparison.
- Resistance & Compliance
The Linear First-order Single Compartment Model is the standard model of respiratory mechanics. It produces the widely used dynamic Resistance and Compliance parameters.
- Forced Oscillation Technique
In the Forced Oscillation Technique, an oscillatory flow or volume waveform is forced on the subject's airway opening in order to produce more reproducible and detailed measurements.
- Constant Phase Model
The Constant Phase Model is an advanced model of respiratory mechanics that offers an easy-to-use parametric distinction between central and peripheral respiratory mechanics. The Constant Phase Model was introduced by Hantos et al.
- Pressure-Volume Loops
Pressure-Volume (PV) loops capture the quasi-static mechanical properties of the respiratory system. The Salazar-Knowles equation can be fit to the PV loops, and quasi-static elastance and compliance values can be calculated.
- Negative Pressure Forced Expirations
Forced Expirations, imposed on laboratory animals by means of rapidly switching the airway opening to negative pressure, attempt to mimic clinical spirometry in preclinical research.
- Unrestrained Plethysmography
Unrestrained plethysmography is a non-invasive technique that requires little operator effort. However, specificity and sensitivity are comparatively poor, and the interpretation of the resulting Penh parameter remains unclear.
