Biomedical aspects of oxygen regulator performance: II. dynamic characteristics.
Several oxygen regulators were quantitatively assessed during interface with dynamic respiratory simulation and human user breathing. Continuous measurements of regulator flow, delivered pressure, and delivered oxygenation was provided during variable tidal volumes and breathing frequencies as accomplished initially with breathing simulation and subsequently with human users. The regulators demonstrated large sensitivity to flow demand and the characteristics of the inspiratory flow pulse. Large variations in outlet suction pressure and delivered oxygen concentration accompanied the variable breathing modes of human subjects. The inability of oxygen regulators to consistently provide required oxygen/air delivery is discussed with respect ot inadequate performance specifications currently used.
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000388:Air; D000531:Altitude; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008021:Life Support Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010100:Oxygen; D012119:Respiration
D010100:Oxygen