
Fundamental Respiratory Mechanics
Of all the essential elements needed to support life, oxygen is the most vital. It is the primary function of the respiratory system to provide a constant supply of it to the body. The act of breathing air in and out of the lungs is basically a mechanical process, relying on changes in pressure and volume. The mechanical properties of the structural elements involved will invariably influence the efficiency of the breathing process or the comfort associated with it.
As a material, the lung tissue possesses complex characteristics which can be quantitatively assessed. The techniques used to describe the mechanical function of the lungs in terms of relevant parameters employ notions of physiology and principles of physics which are combined into mathematical equations or models.
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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE LUNGS
Mathematical models to describe the lungs are continuously evolving as knowledge advances. During their development, predicted outcomes are matched to relevant experimental data for model optimization and validation. Experimental data generated with the flexiVent are used to extend, develop or validate mathematical models used to interpret respiratory mechanics measurements or predict the lungs’ mechanical function.
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REFERENCES
- Relation between Respiratory Mechanics, Inflammation, and Survival in Experimental Mechanical Ventilation – Szabari, M. V. et al. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 60(2), pp. 179–188. 2019.
- Exposure to Silver Nanospheres Leads to Altered Respiratory Mechanics and Delayed Immune Response in an in Vivo Murine Model – Botelho, D. et al. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9. 2018.
- Forced expiration measurements in mouse models of obstructive and restrictive lung diseases – Devos, F. C., et al. Respiratory Research, 18(1), 123. 2017.
- A new ovine model of spine and chest wall deformity at birth with alteration of respiratory system mechanics and lung development: a feasibility study – Parent, S. et al. European Spine Journal. 28(1), pp. 114–120. 2019.
- Using injury cost functions from a predictive single-compartment model to assess the severity of mechanical ventilator-induced lung injuries – Mellenthin, M. M. et al. Journal of Applied Physiology. 127(1), pp. 58–70. 2019.
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