Forced oscillation technique: comparison of two devices

The respiratory impedances in healthy subjects and patients with advanced obstructive lung disease were measured between 2 and 32 Hz, using two forced oscillation techniques: the setup used previously by Grimby et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 47: 1455-1465, 1968) and a modified device in which the pneumotachograph is replaced by a 2-m-long tube and the ratio of pressures at both ends of the tube is determined. The advantages of the latter device are that 1) its impedance and frequency characteristics can be predicted by classical physics, 2) the only requirement for correct measurements are a match of the pressure transducers, and 3) high-pass filters are not needed to suppress the influence of breathing. On the other hand, the device is more sensitive to the turbulences induced by the subject's own breathing. This drawback can be avoided by interposing a piece of tubing between the mouth and proximal pressure recording site.