Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory
Under the expert guidance of Inhalation Exposure Core Manager Dr. Chris Royer, pulmonary function testing is available for measuring static mechanics of the respiratory system to allergen and other air pollutant inhalation. Also, dynamic mechanics measurements utilizing transfer impedance is available for non-invasive measuring of airway reactivity and other physiological responses of the respiratory system. Together, respiratory mechanical variables provide a translational structure-function map of the internal workings of the lung under the disease process being studied. These measures can be further integrated with other scientific areas' expertise via collaboration with CNPRC Core and Affiliate Scientists.
Spirometry and Static Lung Mechanics
- Function: Determine static lung mechanics in sedated, spontaneously breathing infant, juvenile, and adult monkeys
- Equipment: Small and Large whole-body plethysmograph with semi-automated software data collection system (Buxco)
- Specific Measures: Standard lung volumes/capacities and flows, quasi-static lung compliance, and functional residual capacity and
- Function: Determine static lung mechanics in sedated, spontaneously breathing juvenile and adult monkeys
- Equipment: Rapid Thoracolumbar Compression Testing
- Specific Measures: Forced expiratory flow parameters, lung compliance
Forced Oscillation Lung Mechanics
- Function: Determine respiratory transfer impedance in sedated, spontaneously breathing infant, juvenile, and adult monkeys. Airway reactivity.
- Equipment: Small and Large head-out transfer impedance plethysmograph with semi-automated software data collection system (Pulmetrics)
- Specific Measures: Respiratory transfer impedance: central airway resistance, tissue resistance, and tissue compliance. Dose-response relationships.
Cardio-Pulmonary Data
- Function: Breathing frequency, tidal volume, ventilatory rate, pulmonary flow, blood pressure, heart rate, esophageal pressure, Pulmonary Vascular Impedance as resistance, and compliance.
- Equipment: Physiology platform for measurement of cardio-pulmonary parameters (PoNeMah)
- Specific Measures: Measure and collect cardio-pulmonary data during aerosol challenges or treatments
Positive Pressure Mechanical Ventilation
- Function: Positive pressure mechanical ventilators are used to deliver aerosols for challenge or treatment
- Equipment: Positive-pressure ventilators (2) (Bird)
- Specific Measures: Positive press lung mechanics
Telemetric Physiological Data
- Function: Collect and process physiological data from implantable sensors in free-roaming monkeys. Remote sensing of breathing pattern and mechanics
- Equipment: 16-channel bio-telemetry system (Data Sciences Int.)
- Specific Measures: EKG, EMG, blood pressure, pleural pressure, core body temperature
Exhaled Gas Analysis
- Function: Analyze inspired and expired breath samples from rebreathing apparatus
- Equipment: 4 gas infrared analyzer
- Specific Measures: Lung diffusing capacity, cardiac output, and pulmonary capillary volume
Rates
The University has established hourly recharge rates for trained Inhalation Exposure Core personnel. Costs will vary based on the services, equipment, and experimental protocol used. Access our rates (PDF).