Schematic
This picture shows a schematic of the airway, thorax and abdominal compartment. In order to ventilate using pGz, and airway must be patent. In the experimental protocols an endotracheal tube is used connected to a T-piece with a bias flow of 1-10 LPM of either blended oxygen or room air. The back and forth motion of the pGz platform produces small changes in intrapleural pressure which produce ventilation. Ventilation is achieved at low tidal volumes. The latter reduces volutrauma and barotraumas with pGz. (Click image for a larger view with better detail.)
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