Electronic system /MIRACLE 2/  places frequency and gas flow rate of the respiratory process within a common frame of reference to render them comparable and compatible with ''real clock time.''  Numerous measurements are accomplished accurately on a strict one-minute half-minute, breath-by-breath, or other period basis

Liu, F. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

October 1970	 Brief 70-10528 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial
	 - - 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Technique for Analyzing Human Respiratory Process 
A sophisticated electronic system (MIRACLE II) 
with several new technological features is now avail-
able for automatic, instantaneous, quantitative analy-
sis of the human respiratory process. Respiratory 
physiologists, inhalation toxicologists, doctors, and 
other biomedical workers should be interested in this 
system. It could be vital to all persons with impaired 
breathing. 
The respiratory process involves unrhythmic fre-
quency in number of breaths per minute and gas flow 
rate in volume per unit time. The frequency is in the 
form of a wave train of alternating inspiration and 
expiration cycles, while the gas flow rate is described 
in electronic terminology as an analog signal. 
In the MIRACLE II system, these two dimensions 
of respiratory quantities are placed within a common 
frame of reference to render them comparable and 
compatible with "real clock time" represented in 
modern electronic systems by pulses with regular 
periodicity. A synchronization scheme between the 
regularity of real clock pulse and the irregularity of 
the breath-wave is devised. The gas flow rate is elec-
tronically normalized or compensated with regard to 
dynamic response characteristics in a time period 
mode of operation and then converted into higher 
frequency pulse-rate form. This, in turn, is superim-
posed onto the alternating inspiration and expiration 
waveform of a lower frequency. 
The two physiological quantities of respiratory 
flow are thus transformed into a kind of "physiological 
clock of respiration." All of the respiratory flow meas-
urements can be synchronized and correlated with the 
real clock time with simplicity and greater accuracy, 
and all of the necessary information required by the 
respiratory analysis is provided. Chemical components
of respiratory flow such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, 
nitrogen, and water, which have been separated quan-
titatively with the aid of a mass spectrometer or other 
analytical means, can each be synchronized with the 
real clock time. 
Many advantages of the system are apparent.- 
Numerous measurements can be accomplished ac-
curately on a-strict one-minute, half-minute, breath-
by-breath, or other period basis. The same arrange-
ment also can conduct the earlier mode of "minute-
volume on TM" basis customarily used in biomedical 
practice with greater efficiency. 
The TM is defined as the time period to encompass 
a series of complete breath functions measured from 
a starting point on the breath wave form to a corres-
ponding point after approximately one minute. Meas-
urement and printout of TM involves complex but 
precise logic and timing circuitries. The clock-pulse. 
generator provides an even number of 1000 pulses per 
minute and allows TM to be readout as a percentage 
of one minute. In the design of the system, the count-
ing period covers the TM period precisely. Virtually 
no breath is lost during the measurement. 
The "minute-volume" of inspiring or expiring flow 
is obtained during the TM period, which is sufficient-
ly close but not necessarily equal to one minute. When 
clearly defined and identified by the length of the TM 
period, the "minute-volume" is more meaningful. 
Note: 
Requests for further inforiiation may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center, Code BM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP70-10528
(continued overleaf) 
Now
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	
will be free from privately ownedrights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000510 2020-03-17T00:32:41+00:00Z
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546.
Source: F.F. Liu of
Quantum-Dynamics, Inc.
under contract to
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-13436)
. 
. 
. 
Brief 70-10528	 Category 05


Technique for analyzing human respiratory process

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