Microstream capnograpy technology: a new approach to an old problem.

Significant technical limitations inherent in black-body infrared technology used in conventional sidestream and mainstream capnography have hindered the acceptance and growth of capnography as a monitoring tool outside the operating room environment. We describe a new technology (Microstream) for CO2 monitoring, based on molecular correlation spectroscopy, which results in a highly efficient and selective emission of a spectrum of discrete wavelengths exactly matching those for CO2 absorption. The CO2 specific emissions allow for an extremely small sample cell (15 microl), which in turn, permits the use of a very low sample flow rate (50 ml/min) without compromising waveform integrity or end-tidal CO2 accuracy. Design and technology features of the CO2 emission source, sample cell, and breath sampling circuits are described.