Canopy ventilation monitor for quantitative measurement of ventilation during sleep

Abstract

A portable, easily assembled system that allows quantitative monitoring of ventilation in the sleeping human subject is described. It is a modification of the system used by Kinney et al. (Metab. Clin. Exp. 13: 205-211, 1964) and Spencer et al. (J. Appl. Physiol. 33: 523-528, 1972). The system directly measures gas flow without reliance on indirect CO2 or temperature sensors or on chest wall motion. It is comfortable and reflects the tidal volume with an accuracy of 92%. It also allows measurement of oxygen consumption and CO2 production. The gas breathed by the subject can be varied in composition. Two illustrative examples of the use of the system are given: 1) a case of obstructive apnea; and 2) a case in which a drop in arterial oxygen saturation is explained by quantified hypoventilation undetected by a nasal CO2 probe.