Lung Diffusion
Below, you will find a list of gas mixtures that are commonly used in pulmonary function testing. Once the subject inhales one of these specialty gas mixes, their exhalation is analyzed to determine how well the lungs have diffused one of the carbon-based gases present. Helium can be added to some of these mixes as an agent for determining lung volume. Different mixes may be required for different lung diffusion instruments.
Concentration Balanced Gas Standard Cylinder Sizes*
0.3% Carbon Monoxide, 0.3% Methane, 21% Oxygen Nitrogen H,E
5% Carbon Dioxide, 21% Oxygen Nitrogen H,E
0.3% Carbon Monoxide, 0.3% Methane, 0.3% Acetylene, 21% Oxygen Nitrogen H,E
0.3% Carbon Monoxide, 10% Helium, 21% Oxygen Nitrogen H,E
0.3% Carbon Monoxide, 0.5% Neon, 21% Oxygen Nitrogen H,E
* - sizes that are not listed are available upon request
