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Airborne particles, their use in the respiratory system to measure air flow, function, and clearance
Author(s) -
Nelson Norton,
Altshuler Bernard,
Palmes Edward D.,
Albert Roy E.,
Lippmann Morton,
Schlesinger Richard
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700100104
Subject(s) - medicine , lung function , measure (data warehouse) , respiratory system , lung , database , computer science
Abstract Nonhygroscopic monodisperse particles can be used to estimate airway dimensions within chosen regions of the respiratory tract. These dimensions correspond well with those measured in inflation‐fixed lungs. The dispersion of a bolus of airborne particles on inhalation and exhalation is very sensitive to the dimensions of the airways through which the bolus passes, yielding indices of dispersion that provide sensitive indicators of changes in airway dimensions, eg, with smoking. The rates of clearance of particles from the lungs are determined using gamma‐labelled particles whose lung retention is determined by external measurements. There are major differences between the deep lung and the ciliated airways. Changes in clearance rates are caused by disease or inhaled intoxicants such as cigarette smoke. At lower levels of irritant exposure, an acceleration of clearance rate is observed, while higher doses and longer periods of exposure produce decreased rates. It is suggested that aerosol techniques may have useful clinical applications; approaches are suggested for such applications.