The present disclosure relates to a capnotracking method for continuous determination of cardiac output or EPBF of a mechanically ventilated subject (3), comprising the steps of measuring (S1) expiratory CO2 of the subject and determining (S2) a first value of cardiac output or EPBF of the subject at a first point in time. The method further comprises the steps of controlling (S3) the mechanical ventilation of the subject to keep a level of venous CO2 of the subject substantially constant between the first point in time and a second point in time, determining (S4) from the expiratory CO2 measurements a change in alveolar CO2 of the subject between the first and second points in time, and determining (S5) a second and updated value of cardiac output or EPBF of the subject based on the first value and the change in alveolar CO2 .

A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.

This invention relates to a method or system for providing an indication or establishment of airway patency of a patient comprising monitoring of at least one targeted gas (e.g. CO2, N2 or may be other gases capable of being detected, monitored, and measured) that is being expired or being expelled from an airway of a patient (e.g. an apnoeic or non-spontaneously breathing patient), and based on measurements of the at least one targeted gas for a period of time, providing an indicator as to an output of the measurements of the at least one targeted gas for the period of time, or a determination as to airway patency, or a determination as to a location of a blockage or obstruction in the airway, or combinations of these.

A method is provided for measuring and evaluating rapidly and with high accuracy a subject's glucose metabolism. The method uses a labeled C-breath test and a composition that is suitably used in the method. The composition contains as active ingredient glucose labeled with at least one isotope of C, wherein the glucose is converted in the subject to labeled carbon dioxide that is excreted in expired air. This method also allows for the determination of a stage of a patient in whom diabetes has developed as well as for a stage before the onset of diabetes, and monitors the state (diabetes condition including a state before onset of diabetes) over time.

A method of controlling a gas delivery apparatus including an apparatus controllable variable using an iterative algorithm to deliver a test gas (TG) for non-invasively determining a subject's pulmonary blood flow comprising iteratively generating and evaluating test values of a iterated variable based on an iterative algorithm in order output a test value of the iterated variable that meets a test criterion wherein iterative algorithm is characterized in that it defines a test mathematical relationship between the at least one apparatus controllable variable, the iterated variable and an end tidal concentration of test gas attained by setting the apparatus controllable variable, such that the iterative algorithm is determinative of whether iteration on the test value satisfies a test criterion or iteratively generates a progressively refined test value.

The present invention relates to a device for determining a respiratory feature of a subject based on a breathing gas generated by the subject when inhaling and/or exhaling, comprising an aerosol detection unit (12) for detecting an aerosol contained in a breathing gas generated by the subject, a deposition fraction measurement unit (14) for measuring a deposition fraction for the detected aerosol, wherein the deposition fraction indicates the fraction of aerosol deposited inside the subject over the total amount of the inhaled aerosol, and a respiratory feature determination unit (16) for determining the respiratory feature by relating the measured deposition fraction to a plurality of predetermined deposition fractions each corresponding to a different airway geometry of a respiratory tract.

Methods and systems with .sup.129Xe dynamic spectroscopy with a fitting function that includes one or more non-Lorentzians, optionally with a barrier Voigt, and signal processing for identifying cardiogenic oscillations for evaluating disease states, use in drug discovery or monitoring disease status.

An apparatus for the collection of samples of exhaled air during normal respiration, comprising a flow generator, an orally insertable exhalation air receiver, and a device for isolating the nasal airways, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor for detecting a change in a parameter representing the change from inhalation to exhalation and to transmit said change as a signal; a control unit adapted to receive said signal and to control said device for isolating the nasal airways; wherein the flow generator is connected to or integrated with the exhalation air receiver. A method of collecting samples of exhaled air during normal respiration conditions, comprising the steps of: detecting a change in a parameter representing the change from inhalation to exhalation and transmitting said change as a signal; receiving said signal in a control unit; activating a device for isolating the nasal airways; activating a flow generator connected to an exhalation air receiver; and collecting a sample of exhaled air during exhalation when the nasal airways are isolated.

A device for determining the regional distribution of a parameter for lung perfusion includes an electrical impedance tomography unit with electrodes (E1, . . . EN), which can be placed on the thorax, that are connected to a control and analysis unit (2) and an administering device (4) for the intravenous administration of a conductivity contrast medium. The control and analysis unit (2) is configured to display changes in impedance distribution occurring as a consequence of the administration of conductivity contrast medium as a parameter for lung perfusion in the section plane as a function of time. The administering device (4) has a controllable dispensing device. The control and analysis unit and the dispensing device are connected with one another via a data link (3). A start time and an end time and a quantity of an administered bolus of the conductivity contrast medium are available to the control and analysis unit (2).

Systems and methods for delivering a gaseous contrast agent to the lungs of a subject.