Em. Williams et al., MEASUREMENT OF DEAD-SPACE IN A MODEL LUNG USING AN OSCILLATING INSPIRED ARGON SIGNAL, Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 38(2), 1994, pp. 126-129
In a model lung, airways dead-space can be accurately measured using a
forced inspired oscillating argon signal, which varies sinusoidally a
bout a mean concentration of 6% v/v with an amplitude of +/-4% v/v. Wi
th sinusoid forcing periods longer than 120 seconds, and at a breathin
g rate of 13.4 breaths minute(-1), the mean airways dead-space can be
measured with a standard error of less than 5%. Sinusoid forcing perio
ds shorter than 120 s provided inaccurate estimates of dead-space and
so should not. be used with this technique.