[To what extent are oscillometric data of a simple resistor-volume model physically recordable?]

To obtain data on the volume-dependence of the oscillatory parameters of the Siregnost FD 5, we investigated the course of iso-volume and iso-resistance lines in a simple mechanical resistor-volume model in the different coordinate systems, initially in the absence of additional superimposed stationary flow. While the P-psi diagram reveals no uniform course, and no preferential relationship of changes in resistance to P or Ros, or of changes in volume to psi, such a relationship develops on transformation to the Rre-phi and the Rre-X diagram. Rre proves to contain not only the purely resistor component, but also a reactance-proportional or inversely volume-proportional component, which is apparently due to internal friction resulting from volume compression. On the other hand, reactance is almost totally derivable from volume compression. With reference to the theoretical Franken model and others (1981), we discussed the influence of various physical factors on the impedance of a tube segment, and the different volume-dependence of impedance of closed- and open-ended cylindrical tubes. Further work on the theoretical consideration of the forced oscillation technique will examine the influence of additional superimposed stationary flow, which has a considerable effect on the resistor-volume model. Furthermore, the critical value of Reynold's number may be expected to be exceed in the FD 5 reference tube already at low respiratory flow.