A method for measuring the spatial distribution of tissue oxygen removal rates

Distributions of oxygen removal rates are measured over cut surfaces of samples of recently excised tissue. The samples are initially equilibrated with a gas of known oxygen tension and the surface is occluded by bringing it into contact with the end of a glass rod which has a number of polarographic electrodes embedded in it. The oxygen removal rate in mm Hg/sec is calculated from the rate of fall of surface oxygen tension. 91 electrodes are arranged in an array with 0.5 mm separation and each gives an estimate of the oxygen removal rate with a spatial resolution of a few hundred microns. An artificial medium of uniform and controllable respiration rate was used to test the system. Spatial variations in oxygen removal rate were demonstrated in some transplantable rodent tumours.