A method of producing calibrated microtubules for air embolism studies

Utilizing the differential absorption techniques in conjunction with gas injection methods has enabled the production of calibrated microtubules with diameters ranging from 14 to 300 micron. Nitrogen was blended with CO2, the "diluent" gas, to produce the initial bubbles, while tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane hydrochloride (THAM) was used as an absorbent to remove the diluent gas from the bubbles. Hence, the diameters of the initial bubbles were significantly reduced with only the inert gas remaining. The Coulter counter was used for immediate size monitoring of the microtubules. To verify the inertness of the absorbent medium, nine anesthetized dogs were infused with increasing amounts of the solution. In five of the animals plasma surface tension and pH (arterial) were measured, while in the remaining four arterial blood pressure, heart rate, breathing frequency, and pulmonary artery pressure was measured before, during, and after the injections. Changes in plasma surface tension and pH were minimal while acceptable physiological values were recorded, all of which were in agreement with previous investigations. Differential absorption techniques provided a reliable means for producing calibrated micro-bubbles for air embolism studies.