QUANTITATIVE METHANOL-BURNING LUNG MODEL FOR VALIDATING GAS-EXCHANGE MEASUREMENTS OVER WIDE RANGES OF FIO2

The methanol-burning lung model has been used as a technique for gener ating a predictable ratio of carbon diorride production (V(over dot)CO 2) to oxygen consumption (V(over dot)O-2) or respiratory quotient (RQ) . Although an accurate RQ can be generated, quantitatively predictable and adjustable V(over dot)O-2 and V(over dot)CO2 cannot be generated. We describe a new burner device in which the combustion rate of metha nol is always equal to the infusion rate of fuel over an extended rang e of O-2 concentrations. This permits the assembly of a methanol-burni ng lung model that is usable with O-2 concentrations up to 100% and pr ovides continuously adjustable and quantitative V(over dot)O-2 (69-1,5 25 ml/min) and V(over dot)CO2 (46-1,016 ml/min) at a RQ of 0.667.