Inventors:
Michael M. Grunstein - Merion PA
Assignee:
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA
International Classification:
A61M 1600
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for determining respiratory system compliance (C. sub. rs) and resistance (R. sub. rs) are disclosed. The present invention provides apparatus whereby an airflow is introduced to a patient via a set of one way valves such that the inspiratory and expiratory flow paths are separate. By selectively occluding expiration, C. sub. rs can be determined and, following subsequent release of the occlusion, the respiratory system time constant (. tau. sub. rs) is measured, from which R. sub. rs can be derived. In another embodiment, by selectively occluding inspiration after expiration has been occluded, a drop in pressure due to the compliance of the lungs can be measured and from this and other data, another measure of R. sub. rs can be obtained. The introduction of an airflow into the patient permits the present invention to obtain passive and dynamic respiratory function data.