Modelling approach to obtain regional respiratory mechanics using electrical impedance tomography and volume-dependent elastance model

Objective: This paper presents a method for breath-by-breath estimation of regional respiratory mechanics without the need for special manoeuvres (such as inspiratory pause or low-flow inflation) using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) associated with pressure/airflow waveforms. Approach: We developed a method to estimate regional parameters using the regional impedance fraction, by multiplying it by global flow and volume waveforms. A volume-dependent elastance model was used to obtain compliance, resistance, volume-independent ( E 1 ), and volume-dependent ( E 2 ) components. Three swine under invasive mechanical ventilation were used to assess internal consistency and illustrate potential applications of our method. One animal (case 1) was ventilated with a broad range of tidal volumes to compare the consistency between regional and global resistances and compliances. Two other animals (cases 2 and 3) had respiratory complian...
Source: Physiological Measurement - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research