| Abstract |
A discussion is presented on progress made from October 1, 1966 through December 31, 1970 on the use of aerosols in the measurement of the dimensions of air spaces in the human lung. The investigation was expected to result in the development of diagnostic procedures useful in characterizing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, either singly or together. The breathing apparatus was completely redesigned to incorporate many superior features, both in control of the breathing sequence and in aerosol measurement. The redesigned apparatus was tested in Bellevue Hospital on patients having bronchitis with emphysema, on patients having emphysema without bronchitis, and on normal subjects. During the latter half of 1970, the apparatus was set up at the Appalachian Laboratories for Occupational Respiratory Diseases, where it underwent further testing. From these results, it was possible to construct curves showing the effect of depth of inhalation of the aerosol bolus and time of breath holding, as well as to estimate the fraction of aerosol deposited or not deposited at 0, 10, and 20 seconds breath holding times. |
