• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.425-431
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• 2015

Measurement accuracy was evaluated for the respiratory air flow transducer developed for applications under emergent situations. Pressure-Flow calibration equation was obtained by acquisition of air flow signals from the transducer in response to 6 flow waveforms, similar to those of artificial ventilation, generated by the standard flow generator system. Tidal volume and maximal flow rate were calculated on the flow signal then compared with the error-free data obtained by the linear displacement transducer of the flow generator system. Mean relative error of the tidal volume was within 3% and that of the maximal flow rate, approximately 5%, demonstrating accurate enough measurements. Therefore, the transducer could be applied to emergent situations to monitor the respiratory air flow signal as well as diagnostic parameters in real time.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.662-673
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• 1999

Background : Pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) is frequently used recently as the initial mode of mechanical ventilation in the patients with respiratory failure. Theoretically, because of its high initial inspiratory flow, pressure-controlled ventilation has lower peak inspiratory pressure and improved gas exchange than volume-controlled ventilation (VCV). But the data from previous studies showed controversial results about the gas exchange. Moreover, the comparison study between PCV and VCV with various inspiration : expiration time ratios (I : E ratios) is rare. So this study was performed to compare the respiratory mechanics and gas exchange between PCV and VCV with various I : E raitos. Methods : Nine patients receiving mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure were enrolled. They were ventilated by both PCV and VCV with various I : E ratios (1 : 2, 1 : 1.3 and 1.7 : 1). $FiO_2$, tidal volume, respiratory rate and external positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were kept constant throughout the study. After 20 minutes of each ventilation mode, arterial blood gas, airway pressures, expired $CO_2$ were measured. Results : In both PCV and VCV, as the I : E ratio increased, the mean airway pressure was increased, and $PaCO_2$ and physiologic dead space fraction were decreased. But P(A-a)$O_2$ was not changed. In all three different I : E ratios, peak inspiratory pressure was lower during PCV, and mean airway pressure was higher during PCV. But $PaCO_2$ level, physiologic dead space fraction and P(A-a)$O_2$ were not different between PCV and VCV with three different I : E ratios. Conclusion : There was no difference in gas exchange between PCV and VCV under the same tidal volume, frequency and I : E ratio.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.813-822
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• 1998

Background: Extubation is recommended to be performed at minimum pressure support (PSmin) during the pressure support ventilation (PSV). In field, physicians sometimes perform additional 1 hr T-piece trial to the patient at PSmin to reduce re-intubation risk. Although it provides confirmation of patient's breathing reserve, weaning could be delayed due to increased airway resistance by endotracheal tube. Methods: To investigate the effect of additional 1 hr T-piece trial on weaning outcome, a prospective study was done in consecutive 44 patients who had received mechanical ventilation more than 3 days. Respiratory mechanics, hemodymic, and gas exchange measurements were done and the level of PSmin was calculated using the equation (PSmin=peak inspiratory flow rate $\times$ total ventilatory system resistance) at the 15cm $H_2O$ of pressure support. At PSmin, the patients were randomized into intervention (additional 1 hr T-piece trial) and control (extubation at PSmin). The measurements were repeated at PSmm, during weaning process (in cases of intervention), and after extubation. The weaning success was defined as spontaneous breathing more than 48hr after extubation. In intervention group, failure to continue weaning process was also considered as weaning failure. Results: Thirty-six patients with 42 times weaning trial were satisfied to the protocol. Mean PSmin level was 7.6 (${\pm}1.9$)cm $H_2O$. There were no differences in total ventilation times (TVT), APACHE III score, nutritional indices, and respiratory mechanics at PSmin between 2 groups. The weaning success rate and re-intubation rate were not different between intervention group (55% and 18% in each) and control group (70% and 20% in each) at first weaning trial. Work of breathing, pressure time product, and tidal volume were aggravated during 1 hr T-piece trial compared to those of PSmin in intervention group ($10.4{\pm}1.25$ and $1.66{\pm}1.08$ J/L in work of breathing) ($191{\pm}232$ and $287{\pm}217$cm $H_2O$ s/m in pressure time product) ($0.33{\pm}0.09$ and $0.29{\pm}0.09$ L in tidal volume) (P<0.05 in each). As in whole, TVT, and tidal volume at PSmin were significantly different between the patients with weaning success ($246{\pm}195$ hr, $0.43{\pm}0.11$ L) and the those with weaning failure ($407{\pm}248$ hr, $0.35{\pm}0.10$L) (P<0.05 in each). Conclusion : There were no advantage to weaning outcome by addition of 1 hr T-piece trial compared to prompt extubation to the patient at PS min.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2002

Respiratory air flow rate is necessarily measured for the pulmonary function evaluation. The currently used devices are exposed to the problems of measurement reliability and cross-patient infection. The present study introduced a new technique which converted the bidirectional air flow rate into averaged dynamic pressure based on the famous Bernoulli's energy conservation principle. Single use plastic sensing element was assembled within the flow tube(mouth piece) made of paper, which was named "functional single use flow tube". Experiment demonstrated only ${\pm}1.5%$ relative error in the standard 3L volume measurement procedure well within the error limit suggested by the American Thoracic Society(ATS). Disposable use design completely eliminated cross-patient infection. The present device is best useful and safe for clinical respiratory air flow measurement such as spirometry.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.624-632
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• 2000

Background : Home ventilation can decrease hospital-acquired infection, increase physical activity, improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and reduce medical costs. The number of patient using home ventilators has been increasing, particularly in Europe and United States. Although the number of patients with home ventilation has been increasing in Korea, the current status of these patients is not well known. This study was undertaken to obtain basic information upon these patients in addition to evaluating any problems related to patients' home care in our country. Methods : A register of 92 patients with home ventilators in Seoul and Kyunggi Province were obtained from commercial ventilator supply companies. The patients were contacted by phone and 29 of them accepted our visit. Information concerning education about home care before discharge, equipment cost, and problems related to home care were documented. The mode and preset variables of the home ventilator were checked; tidal volume (TV), peak airway pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Results : There were 26 males (90%) and their mean age was 48.0 (${\pm}20.1$) years. The underlying diseases were : 21 neuromuscular disorders, 2 spinal cord injuries, 6 chronic lung diseases. Among the caregivers, spouses (n=14) predominated. Education for home care before discharge was performed primarily by intensive care unit nurses and the education for ventilator management by commercial companies. Twenty-five of the 29 patients had tracheostomies. Volume targeted type (VTT ; n=20, 69%) was more frequently used than the pressure targeted type (PTT). Twenty-three of the 29 patients purchased a ventilator privately, which cost 7,450,000 (${\pm}$3,290,000) won for a PTT, and 14,280.000 (${\pm}$3,130,000) won for a VTT. Total cost for the equipment was 11,430,000 (${\pm}$634,000) won. The average cost required for home care per month was 1,120,000 (${\pm}$1,360, 000) won. Conclusion : The commonest underlying disease of the patients was neuromuscular disease. The VTT ventilator was primarily used with tracheostomy. Patients and their families considered the financial difficulties associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment for home care an urgent problem. Some patients were aided by a visiting nurse, however most patients were neglected and left without professional medical supervision.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.920-926
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• 1997

Remarkable effect of pain relief and prevention of the postoperative Complications after thoracotomy has been achieved by continuous intravenous analgesia. This study was carried out with thirty patients who underwent posterolateral thoraco tony. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I(n= 10), the patients with intermittent intramuscular analgesia(piroxicam 20 mg), Group II(n=10), the patients with continuous epidural analgesia(0.5% bupivacaine 30m1 + normal saline 30 ml + morphine 10 mg), and Group III(n= 10) the patients with controlled intravenous infusion of analgesics(fentanyl 2500 mfg +normal saline 10 ml). The results w re as follows; 1) There were no significant changes of vital signs, between groups. 2) Tidal volume and FVC were significantly improved in the group II and III compared with the group I during the first postoperative day. 3) A significant reduction of immediate post-thoracotomy pain was achieved in the group II and III compared with the group I. 4) The limitation of motion in the operative side was less in the group II and III compared with the group I. 5) A signi(icant reduction of the postoperative analgegics consumption was noticed in group II and III. 6) Significant complications were not occured during follow-up period in all groups.