Evaluating control of breathing utilizing an on-line microcomputer

This paper describes a system that was designed to evaluate ventilatory responses to hypercapnia, airway occlusion pressure (P100), as well as measuring ventilatory drive and timing. Parameters measured include minute ventilation (VE), breathing rate (f), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory time (TI), fractional inspiratory time (TI/TTot), mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), and end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2). These measurements allow for a thorough analysis of abnormalities of neural and neuromuscular ventilatory drive. The system's architecture was based primarily on currently available microcomputer components designed for the IEEE 696 bus.