Metabolic and Inert Gas Monitoring for Human Diving Research
Abstract
Human studies related to Navy diving require accurate gas measurement capability. Assessment of exercise performance requires devices that can precisely measure breathing rate and both oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the inspired and expired gas. Studies of decompression from dives require the ability to measure different breathing gases, such as helium, nitrogen or argon. Experimental dives may also use gases such as perfluoromethane, which is currently being assessed to reduce the risk of deep helium dives. The Duke University FG Hall Laboratory uses two types of instruments for gas analysis for these types of experiments: (1) mass spectrometry; (2) metabolic cart. A mass spectrometer has the ability to measure rapidly the concentrations of several different gas simultaneously. The mass spectrometer being used in the FG Hall Laboratory is over 40 years old, requires regular, expensive maintenanceand has an uncertain life span. The metabolic cart used for experiments inside the Duke hyperbaric chamber is over 20 years old. Itis not possible to obtain spare parts for this instrument, and it is only able to run by using ad hoc parts. Replacement of these two instruments is urgent for current and future studies in support of the U.S. Navy. This application would allow replacement of these aging and unreliable instruments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312198
Entities
People
- Richard E Moon
Organizations
- Duke University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy