title: The extensometer--use in spontaneously ventilating awake volunteers.
abstract: The extensometer is a new device with potential in the field of respiratory pattern analysis. This paper describes the physical principles upon which the extensometer depends and also assesses its performance as a noninvasive respiratory monitor in respect of its ability to measure tidal volume and to determine obstructive breathing patterns in awake volunteers in the supine position over a limited time period. Further developments of the device are outlined and the current status of torso transducers in anaesthesia and intensive care are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brimacombe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacFie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masters
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D016683:Supine Position; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000502:physiology