Effects of Airway Obstruction on Respirator Function in a Lung Analogue

Abstract

The addition of airway obstruction to a model lung analogue resulted in a decrease in flow rate and tidal volume delivered to the analogue. Tidal volume could be maintained with the volume- and pressure-cycled respirator by an increase in airway pressure and the inspiratory flow time. These variables cannot be modified in the tank respirator, so that a marked decrease in tidal volume occurs in the presence of airway obstruction.