Analysis Of Pressure Oscillations Research Articles

Interrupter technique and pressure oscillation analysis during bronchoconstriction in children

The use of interrupter resistance (R(int)) is a feasible method of measuring bronchodilator responsiveness and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in preschool children. It has been suggested that analysis of recorded oscillations of the mouth pressure may provide additional indices of changes in airway mechanics. The aim of our study was to determine whether amplitude or damping properties of oscillations were more sensitive than R(int) in describing changes during bronchoconstriction. Data from 44 children (24 boys) who completed tripling dose methacholine (Mch) challenge were analysed. The median (range) age of children was 4.9 (3.1-6.1 years). In addition to baseline and maximal R(int) after Mch [mean (SD) were 0.92 (0.19) and 1.44 (0.35) kPa l(-1) s, respectively], obtained from a commercial device we analysed the following parameters: difference between the first maximum and minimum (A(MxMn)), maximum instantaneous amplitude (A(inst)), amplitudes of fitted mathematical model and the dominant frequency, sum of frequency component amplitudes, two damping factors and frequency. All amplitude parameters changed significantly after Mch. For comparison of the decrease in amplitudes and increase in R(int) we additionally used reciprocals of amplitudes. Using the sensitivity index (SI) i.e. the change after intervention divided by the baseline SD, 1/A(inst) and 1/A(MxMn) were the most sensitive indices to describe the change (with median SI of 6.29 and 6.28, respectively). R(int) had a median SI of 5.13. Frequency and damping factors were less sensitive, with median SI values <1. These findings suggest that oscillation amplitude analysis implemented in the software of commercial devices could have further applications in assessing respiratory mechanics.

Setup of a High-Speed Optical System for the Characterization of Flow Instabilities Generated by Cavitation

The present paper illustrates the setup and the preliminary results of an experimental investigation of cavitation flow instabilities carried out by means of a high-speed camera on a three-bladed inducer in the cavitating pump rotordynamic test facility (CPRTF) at Alta S.p.A. The brightness thresholding technique adopted for cavitation recognition is described and implemented in a semi-automatic algorithm. In order to test the capabilities of the algorithm, the mean frontal cavitating area has been computed under different operating conditions. The tip cavity length has also been evaluated as a function of time. Inlet pressure signal and video acquisitions have been synchronized in order to analyze possible cavitation fluid-dynamic instabilities both optically and by means of pressure fluctuation analysis. Fourier analysis showed the occurrence of a cavity length oscillation at a frequency of 14.7Hz, which corresponds to the frequency of the rotating stall instability detected by means of pressure oscillation analysis.

Detection of partial endotracheal tube obstruction by forced pressure oscillations

Rapid airway occlusions during mechanical ventilation are followed immediately by high-frequency pressure oscillations. To answer the question if the frequency of forced pressure oscillations is an indicator for partial obstruction of the endotracheal tube (ETT) we performed mathematical simulations and studies in a ventilated physical lung model. Model-derived predictions were evaluated in seven healthy volunteers. Partial ETT obstruction was mimicked by decreasing the inner diameter (ID) of the ETT. In the physical model ETTs of different ID were used. In spontaneously breathing volunteers viscous fluid was applied into the ETT's lumen. According to the predictions derived from mathematical simulations, narrowing of the ETT's ID from 9.0 to 7.0mm decreased the frequency of the pressure oscillations by 11% while changes of the respiratory system's compliance had no effect. In volunteers, a similar reduction (10.9%) was found when 5 ml fluid were applied. We conclude that analysis of pressure oscillations after flow interruption offers a tool for non-invasive detection of partial ETT obstruction.

Numerical analysis of pressure oscillations over axisymmetric spiked blunt bodies at Mach 6.80

The pressure oscillations over a forward facing spike attached to an axisymmetric blunt body are simulated by solving time-dependent compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The governing fluid flow equations are discretized in spatial coordinates employing a finite volume approach which reduces the equations to semidiscretized ordinary differential equations. Temporal integration is performed using the two-stage Runge–Kutta time stepping scheme. A global time step is used to obtain a time-accurate numerical solution. The numerical computation is carried out for a freestream Mach number of 6.80 and for spike length to hemispherical diameter ratios of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0. The flow features around the spiked blunt body are characterized by a conical shock wave emanating from the spike tip, a region of separated flow in front of the hemispherical cap, and the resulting reattachment shock wave. Comparisons of the numerical results are made with the available experimental results, such as schlieren pictures and the surface pressure distribution along the spiked blunt body. They are found to be in good agreement. Spectral analysis of the computed pressure oscillations are performed employing fast Fourier transforms. The surface pressure oscillations over the spike and phase plots exhibit a behaviour analogous to that of the Van der Pol equation for a self-sustained oscillatory flow.

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