Airflow Perturbation Device for Measuring Airways Resistance of Humans and Animals

This communication introduces the airflow perturbation device (APD) as a means for measuring airways resistance in humans and animals The APD uses a rotating screen to perturb airflow during spontaneous breathing. The resultant mouth pressure perturbation amplitudes are divided by flow rate perturbation amplitudes to give airways resistance. Data shown for both humans and swine demonstrate values to be in the correct magnitude range, and to reflect changes in flow rate and direction.