A 133-xenon inhalation system for cerebral blood-flow measurements in ventilated premature babies

We constructed a Xenon-133 inhalation and trapping system in order to measure cerebral blood flow of ventilated premature babies by means of the noninvasive 133Xe clearance method. The completely lead-shielded inhalation device is a closed system driven by the baby's own respirator and can thus be safely used at the patients bedside in the intensive care unit. Reproducible proximal airway concentrations of 133Xe (with or without leaks around the endotracheal tube) were obtained by in vitro simulation.