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Method to produce American Thoracic Society flow-time waveforms using a mechanical pump.

Hankinson JL; Reynolds JS; Das MK; Viola JO

Eur Respir J 1997 Mar; 10(3):690-694

https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/10/3/690.abstract

20033944

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently adopted a new set of 26 standard flow-time waveforms for use in testing both diagnostic and monitoring devices. Some of these waveforms have a higher frequency content than present in the ATS-24 standard volume-time waveforms, which, when produced by a mechanical pump, may result in a pump flow output that is less than the desired flow due to gas compression losses within the pump. To investigate the effects of gas compression, a mechanical pump was used to generate the necessary flows to test mini-Wright and Assess peak expiratory flow (PEF) meters. Flow output from the pump was measured by two different independent methods, a pneumotachometer and a method based on piston displacement and pressure measured within the pump. Measuring output flow based on piston displacement and pressure has been validated using a pneumotachometer and mini-Wright PEF meter, and found to accurately measure pump output. This method introduces less resistance (lower back-pressure) and dead space volume than using a pneumotachometer in series with the meter under test. Pump output flow was found to be lower than the desired flow both with the mini-Wright and Assess meters (for waveform No. 26, PEFs 7.1 and 10.9% lower, respectively). To compensate for losses due to gas compression, we have developed a method of deriving new input waveforms, which, when used to drive a commercially available mechanical pump, accurately and reliably produces the 26 ATS flow-time waveforms, even those with the fastest rise-times.

Spirometry; Pumps; Heart; Cardiopulmonary-function; Cardiovascular-function; Cardiovascular-system; Diagnostic-tests

J.L. Hankinson, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505

ERJOEI

19970301

Journal Article

1997

3

0903-1936

DRDS

European Respiratory Journal

WV