10.26180/5d536a2a96382 David Peter Jones David Peter Jones Novel method for measuring anatomical dead space as a potential means of assessing airway distensibility Monash University 2019 Respiration measurement Lungs Physiology Pulmonary Function Test Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology not elsewhere classified 2019-08-14 01:55:52 Thesis https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Novel_method_for_measuring_anatomical_dead_space_as_a_potential_means_of_assessing_airway_distensibility/9598769 This thesis describes the development and application of a new, noninvasive method for providing<i> in-vivo </i>measurements of anatomical dead space (VD), and its components in cooperative human subjects. It also investigates their relationships with changing lung volume (airway distensibility, AVD) in normal versus asthmatic subjects. The computerised method for measuring VD was based on CO<sub>2</sub> washout, with tidal breathing, at discrete, or progresnively increasing or decreasing lung volumes between TLC or RV. Absolute lung volume (TLC or RV), determined by body plethysmography, was used in the computer calculation of AVD as the reference volume to obtain end-inspiratory lung volume for each measurement of anatomical VD. This new method provided rapid measurements of VD, with duplicate measurements taking 10-15 minutes to complete, even in untrained subjects.[…]