Kaufmann, Andreas; (2002) Development of a fast response carbon monoxide sensor for respiratory gas analysis. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This Ph.D. project involved the design and construction of an infra red based fast response carbon monoxide sensor. Several gas sensing techniques for the detection of carbon monoxide and other gases are discussed and a summary of their potential use for the measurement of the transfer factor is given. The development of the overall sensor design is presented, and the performance of its various components and the resulting sensor are discussed. The feasibility of a new gas cell design with spherical geometry was investigated, especially with respect to its potential use for measuring with high resolution (<200 ppm CO) and fast time response (<300 ms). Analytical models for the sensor designs investigated are also described and compared to experimental results. The sensor was primarily designed for use in pulmonary function laboratories, in particular, for the measurement of the transfer factor of the lungs. This measurement can indicate potential dysfunction of the respiratory gas transfer across the alveoli-capillary membrane, e.g. emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. However, in contrast to the traditional steady state measurement of the transfer factor, which is prone to errors (e.g. correct determination of breath holding time, amount of discarded volume of exhaled breath, etc...), it was proposed to perform a real time measurement. Finally, the instrument was evaluated using volunteers performing the single breath test in a clinical environment. These tests demonstrated the possible use of the fast response sensor in a clinical environment.

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