Respiratory Programs

Description: Respiratory Programs consists of three separate programs accessible from a menu: PuFT, GASEXCH, MEKANIX. PuFT calculates predicted values for common pulmonary function tests after patient data are input. The program also provides per cent of predicted values to help identify abnormal results. In addition, an evaluation of whether the patient data are consistent with restrictive or obstructive lung disease is made. A forced vital capacity (FVC) can be simulated and the effects of altering lung volumes, specific conductance, and maximal expiration pressure on the FVC can be examined. Data, generated from the FVC, can be used to have students plot pressure: flow or pressure: volume relationships, etc. Published in the Physiologist 26: p.97-101, 1983. GASEXCH is a simulation program that deals with gas exchange in both the lungs and in the tissues. The user can select either a 3 compartment model or a log-normal distribution of V/Q relationships to determine gas exchange in the lungs. Arterial and venous gases can be evaluated by a graphic of the FICK Equation (Respiration 45: p. 353-359, 1984). The effect of V/Q variation can be examined by altering the mean V/Q, the standard deviation of distribution and the number of V/Q modes. The second portion of the program examines the tissue oxygen tension which results using the previously determined arterial oxygen tension and content and parameters that can be input such as: capillary density, oxygen consumption and tissue blood flow which can be adjusted for different tissues. The tissue oxygen tension is determined using a modified Krogh model and is shown as a 3-D plot of PO2 versus capillary length and intercapillary distance. Published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering 14: p. 425-435, 1986.MEKANIX: graphics and simulations are used to describe the changes in alveolar and interpleural pressures caused by changes in lung elastance and airway resistance. Respiratory work is described and PV loops are depicted based on user input of various factors. The effects of changes in the compliance and airway resistance (time constant) are described and the effects on two lung units are presented as a graphic and a plot of tidal volume versus time. Ten unknown conditions are randomly presented and the score is kept so students can test their understanding of the major principles involved.

Comments & References: Menu-driven. Primarily designed as a review and reinforcement technique for a systemic, organ physiology course. Text is kept to a minimum and the emphasis is placed on graphics and simulations to provide for active participation by the user(s). See record numbers 141, 694, 695, 696, 702, 721, 739 and 4635 for the other 8 records in the Comp-Edu-Grams series. This item may be borrowed for up to 6 weeks through the Alternative Loan System of the International Network for Humane Education (InterNICHE), free of charge, but return postage must be paid by the person who has borrowed the product. Please note that there are practical limitations on where some items can be sent. Please contact loansystem@interniche.org and see http://www.interniche.org for more information.

Computer type: IBM

Price: Single user per disc: US$50.00; Site license provides unlimited local use of the program at a cost of US$200.00 per disc. Loan Program: Free of charge