Rationale for developing tunable laser spectroscopy (TLS) technology for high resolution real-time carbon dioxide monitoring (capnography) in human breath

Real-time monitoring of exhaled carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), also known as capnography, is a valuable hospital tool for assessing patient health during anesthesia and in both the emergency department and critical care units. The fundamental measurement is referred to as end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration that reflects pulmonary gas exchange of CO 2 representing systemic metabolism. The shape of the exhaled CO 2 concentration for individual inhalation/exhalation breath cycles can offer additional information regarding lung function, airway obstruction, alveolar ventilation, and worsening disease. The most frequent use is to indicate appropriate placement of an endotracheal tube but and it is also employed in the assessment of disease severity and response to treatment (e.g. asthma). Other applications include outpatient monitoring with oxygen supplementation (nasal cannula) and continuous positive airway pressure control for sleep apnea. As technology ...
Source: Journal of Breath Research - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research