Volumetric capnography measures exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) over time to provide information about respiratory physiology. Early developments included Tyndall's 1865 measurement of CO2 in exhaled breath and Hutchinson's 1846 measurement of vital capacity. However, it took over a century for these measurements to be applied at the bedside. In the 1970s, the first commercial volumetric capnograph was introduced. Developments in the 1990s led to integrated sensors that combined mainstream CO2 and ventilator flow measurements. By the late 1990s, fully integrated mainstream sensors were developed, advancing the clinical application of volumetric capnography.
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1. Volumetric Capnography A Brief History
Michael B. Jaffe PhD, Philips-Respironics, Wallingford, CT
One of the earliest infrared measurements of CO2 in the expired human breath was
reported by John Tyndall in 1865. However, it took another century before these
measurements reached the bedside. Similarly, some of the earliest measurements of vital
capacity by John Hutchinson reported in 1846 preceded the development of devices
which permitted convenient measurement of flow (and hence volume) by over 75 years.
The importance of measuring volume with carbon dioxide has long been recognized by
physiologists and clinicians. Early methods such as the Haldane method and its various
derivatives, used chemical absorbents, and served as the reference method for a
volumetric measure of CO2 for many years. Various investigators sought to extend these
discrete chemical absorption-based methods to continuous analysis (e.g. Rein (1933)
[1]).
One of the earliest descriptions of the volumetric capnogram and a method to determine
airway dead-space is that of Aitken and Clark-Kennedy (1928) [2] . Fowler (1948)[3]
in describing the single breath test for nitrogen (SBT-N2) curve sought to use uniform
terminology to clarify the meaning of dead-space, and, thus, divided this curve into
four phases: I, II, III, and IV. Different methods to sample alveolar CO2 gas were
developed, including single and multiple breath methods.
Elam (1955), using newly developed CO2 gas monitors, was first to publish
capnographic profiles of human respiration in the anesthesiology literature [4]. It was
not until Fletcher (1980) [5] presented the concepts of dead-space and CO2 elimination in
a unified framework known as the single breath CO2 curve that this approach began to
gain clinical recognition. In 1976 the Model 930 CO2 analyzer (for use with the 900
Servoventilators) offered the first commercial volumetric capnograph, featuring
mainstream CO2 and ventilator derived flow.
In the early 1990s the first efforts to integrate CO2 and flow from the airway manifested
with the introduction of the on-airway D-lite sensor (Instrumentarium, Helsinki,
Finland) combining in a single adapter piece a flow-restrictor element for flow and a port
to allow sidestream gas sampling. The sidestream approach requires sophisticated
computer algorithms to align and compensate the flow and CO2 signals [6].
The mid-1990s saw the introduction of the first all-mainstream devices for on-airway
volumetric capnography (Novametrix, Wallingford,CT)[7]. These devices evolved from
separate flow and CO2 sensors connected to separate devices (e.g., Ventrak
1550/Capnogard) and became integrated CO2/flow-airway adapters interfaced to the
same host system (e.g. CO2SMO+, NICO). The development of this family of flow/CO2
adapters (neonatal, pediatric and adult) required a number of key technological
developments such as a novel thick-film IR source, a robust, fixed orifice flow sensor,
and extremely sensitive low-cost differential pressure sensors[8].
With the increased recognition of the clinical value of volumetric capnography, it will
likely evolve to become the standard of care for all mechanically ventilated patients.
1. Arch f. exp. Path. U. Pharml. 1933; 171: 363.
2. J. Physiol. 1928; 65: 389411.
3. Am. J. Physiol. 1948; 154: 405-416.
4. Anesthesiology 1955; 16: 876885.
5. Fletcher, R. Thesis. Lund, Sweden, 1980.
6. J Clin Monit. 1993; 9(5):374-80.
7. Anesth. Analg., 2008, 107: 890904.
8.IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag. 2010 ;29:44-52.
9.Haldane, J.S. (1912). Methods of Air Analysis. London: Griffin.
10.Tyndall J. Heat - A mode of motion. 6th ed. New York. D. Appleton and
Company, 1890.
11.Tyndall, J. On Radiation. The "Rede" Lecture, delivered May 16, 1865.
TimelineTimelineAbstractAbstract
8/11/11 MBJ
Mainstream CO2 and ventilator derived flow
Model 930 CO2 analyzer (for use with the 900
Servoventilators); the first commercial
volumetric capnograph (Siemens-Elema)
Method of deducing the alveolar CO2 curve and
the dead space from the experimental CO2
curve . The flat part BC of the experimental
curve OABC is prolonged to the left to D until
the area FDCG equals the area OABCG, DF and
CG being perpendicular to OG. OF then
represents the volume of the dead space. DC is
prolonged to the right to E, over a distance equal
to OF (when measured horizontally). The whole
line DE then represents the changing
concentration of alveolar CO2 throughout
expiration. (Aiken and Clark-Kennedy, 1928)
(2)
Simultaneous carbon dioxide and flow
curve showing criteria for reading
alveolar concentration of carbon dioxide
from recorded plateau (from Elam JA
1955) (4)
Geometric representation of Bohr's formula
applied to an expiration (Fowler, 1948) (3)
Used uniform terminology to divided SBN2
curve into four phases: I, II, III, and IV and
proposed method for determination of
airway deadspace.
A single adapter piece a flow-restrictor element
for flow and a port to allow sidestream gas
sampling. This sidestream approach requires
sophisticated computer algorithms to align and
compensate the flow and CO2 signals [6].
ReferencesReferences
Combined mainstream CO2/flow
sensors (left to right) neonatal,
adult and pediatric (Respironics).
The three phases of SBT-CO2. Phase I is
the CO2 free part of the breath, the
ineffective tidal volume. At the start of
phase II, CO2 appears and the effective
volume start. Phases II and III together
are the effective tidal volume, VTeff.
Relative slope of phase III can be
measured between 0.2 and 0.4 l effective
volume. (Fletcher, 1980) (5)
Ventrak (1994) CO2SMO Plus! (1996) NICO(1998)
Chemical absorption -reduction of the gas
volume was measured and indicated the quantity
of the gas absorbed. (Haldane, 1912) (9)
Tyndall's experimental apparatus, shown here
consisted of a long tube that he filled with various
gases. (Tyndall 1865) (10,11)
Pre-1920
Novametrix/Respironics