A SYNTHESIS OF THE OTIS, MEAD, AND MOUNT MECHANICAL RESPIRATORY MODELS

We propose a unified approach of the viscoelastic models introduced by Otis, Mead and Mount to describe the mechanical behaviour of the resp iratory system. A single equation of motion is developed for these two -compartment models and solved in response to typical pressure and vol ume inputs. The analytic expressions of the pressure response to rapid airway occlusion following constant flow inflation, and of the volume response to single breath following end-inspiratory pause are more pa rticularly analysed. The lumped respiratory parameters derived from th ese responses are expressed as functions of the parameters characteris ing the constitutive mechanical elements of each model. Different comb inations of respiratory models and of methods for measuring respirator y mechanics are examined. For each model, the physiological interpreta tion of the lumped mechanical parameters is summarised in terms of gas redistribution or tissue viscoelastic properties.