Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of gaseous exchange in open-circuit indirect calorimetry

  • Published:
Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A method is described for determining rapid changes in gaseous exchange between a subject and the environment, while living in a whole body opencircuit calorimeter. The formulae which must be applied to standard estimates of oxygen consumption are derived the computation of rates of change of gas concentration is discussed the sensitivity of estimated heat production to errors in gas concentration is determined and heat production shown to be largely independent of CO2 measurements; and examples of veritication of the method for known rates of gas injection, and of its use with human subjects, are given. The method is of particular value in assessing the rapid changes in metabolic rate which occur as a result of changes in activity, nutritional state, environmental temperature and the administration of drugs. Such changes are monitored in an unrestrained subject living in a whole-body calorimeter rather than in a subject living with the restrictions imposed by a face-mask or ventilated hood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

E :

evaporative heat loss kJ min−1 —

F :

flow rate l min−1 prevailing

f :

fractional concentration dimensionless —

H :

rate of heat production kJ min−1 —

P :

absolute pressure mm Hg —

R :

rate of gas production l min−1 STP

r :

calorific value of gas kJl−1 STP

t :

time min —

T :

absolute temperature Kelvin —

V :

volume of calorimeter l —

Ψ:

conversion factor to dry STP conditions dimensionless

CO 2 :

carbon dioxide

G :

anv gas

i :

ingoing

CH 4 :

methane

N 2 :

nitrogen and inert gases

O 2 :

oxygen

o :

outgoing

w :

water vapour

References

  • Costa, G., Ullrich, L., Kantor, F. andHolland, J. F. (1968) Production of elemental nitrogen by certain animals including man.Nature,218, 546–551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dauncey, M. J. (1980) Metabolic effects of altering the 24 h energy intake in man, using direct and indirect calorimetry.Br. J. Nutr.,43, 257–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dauncey, M. J., Murgatroyd, P. R. andCole, T. J. (1978) A human calorimeter for the direct and indirect measurement of 24 h energy expenditure. —Ibid.,,39, 557–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudka, L. T., Inglis, H. J., Johnson, R. E., Pechinski, J. M. andPlowman, S. (1971) Inequality of inspired and expired gaseous nitrogen in man.Nature,232, 265–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Handbook of chemistry and physics (1964) 45th Edition. Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, USA.

  • Hayes, J. G. (1974) Numerical methods for curve and surface fitting.Bull. Inst. Maths. Applics.,10, 144–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen, S., Johansen, O. andGarby, L. (1982) 5·8 m3 human heat-sink calorimeter with online data acquisition, processing and control.Med. & Biol. Eng. & Comput.,20, 29–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLean, J. A. andWatts, P. R. (1976) Analytical refinements in animal calorimetry.J. Appl. Physiol.,40, 827–831.

    Google Scholar 

  • N.A.G. (1980)Fortran mini manual. Oxford Numerical Algorithms Group.

  • Weir, J.B. de V. (1949) New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism.J. Physiol.,109, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Statistics Group, Department of Applied Brology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, CB2 3DX, Cambridge, England

    D. Brown

  2. MRC Dunn Nutritional Laboratory, Milton Road, CB4 1XJ, Cambridge, England

    T. J. Cole

  3. Department of Applied Biology, ARC Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, CB2 4AT, Cambridge, England

    M. J. Dauncey

  4. ARC Statistics Group, Department of Applied Biology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, CB2 3DX, Cambridge, England

    R. W. Marrs

  5. MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Trumpington Street, CB2 1QE, Cambridge, England

    P. R. Murgatroyd

Authors
  1. D. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. J. Cole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Dauncey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. W. Marrs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P. R. Murgatroyd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brown, D., Cole, T.J., Dauncey, M.J. et al. Analysis of gaseous exchange in open-circuit indirect calorimetry. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 22, 333–338 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442102

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442102

Keywords

Search

Navigation