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Theoretical analysis of the effects of diffusivity on pulmonary gas transport and mixing

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Abstract

The effects of different tracer gas diffusivities upon pulmonary gas transport and mixing have been examined by means of a physico-mathematical lung model. Specifically, it is demonstrated how the expired alveolar plateau slope of a tracer gas gives an indication of the magnitude of the end expiratory concentration differences existing in the acinus. Further, by modifying the initial analysis slightly (to allow for a finite flux of gas across the alveolar wall) it has been indicated how more marked stratified inhomogeneities are associated with the transport of soluble rather than isoluble tracer gases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production Technology and Production Management Biomedical Engineering Section, University of Aston in Birmingham, Gosta Green, B4 7ET, Birmingham, England

    David A. Scrimshire & Robert J. Loughnane

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  1. David A. Scrimshire
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  2. Robert J. Loughnane
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Scrimshire, D.A., Loughnane, R.J. Theoretical analysis of the effects of diffusivity on pulmonary gas transport and mixing. Ann Biomed Eng 7, 375–386 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364216

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364216

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