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BTPS calibration of heated Fleisch pneumotachometer
Bulletin Europeen De Physiopathologie Respiratoire
|November 1, 1983
Summary
This study calibrates the Fleisch pneumotachometer (PTM) using a specialized pump that simulates human respiration. This method allows for accurate flow measurements without assumptions about gas viscosity or temperature.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Instrumentation Science
Background:
- The Fleisch pneumotachometer (PTM) measures respiratory airflow, but its calibration is complicated by varying gas viscosity and temperature.
- Accurate calibration is crucial for reliable respiratory volume measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an empirical calibration method for the Fleisch PTM.
- To overcome limitations related to unknown gas viscosity and temperature during calibration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a precisely controlled sinusoidal pump to generate airflow simulating human breathing conditions (37°C, saturated humidity).
- Employed a thermostatically controlled chamber with a propeller stirrer for consistent gas properties.
- Assessed potential errors from temperature, pressure, O2, and CO2 variations.
Main Results:
- The pump successfully simulated expired gas conditions, leading to an asymmetrical output signal (VTE/VTI = 1.035).
- Combined sources of error were experimentally and theoretically shown to be less than 0.5%.
Conclusions:
- The developed pump system enables empirical calibration of the Fleisch PTM.
- This method provides accurate flow and volume measurements independent of assumptions about expired gas composition and properties.