Computerized determination of pneumotachometer characteristics using a calibrated syringe.

A computerized method has been developed to determine the conductance characteristics of pneumotachometers. Conductance values of the flowmeter, which correspond to all pressure values, can be determined by a weighted averaging technique, when multiple strokes of a precision 3-liter calibrated syringe are used. The conductance values then allow the measured differential pressures to be converted, point by point, into flows. The accuracy of measured volumes is within +/- 0.5% for a 100-stroke calibration process, and calibration with 50 strokes provides +/- 1% accuracy. The method improves the accuracy of the on-line measurements of ventilation. O2 consumption, and CO2 production during exercise.