Principles of Flow Measurement

Franklin L. Scamman, MD Physics Series November 26, 2002

Principles of Flow
Q = Pressure/Resistance Laminar Turbulent

Vertical Flow Tube

How a Vertical Flow Tube Works

Tandem Flow Tubes

Rotameter

Positive DisplacementNarcomed

Rotameter- Ohmeda SE

Pneumotach

Flow Measurement Principle

Counter pressure sensor

P2

P1

flow in

flow out

Electronic flow measurement principle - laminar flow restrictions create a pressure difference P1 - flow is calculated from P1 Used with Oxygen, Side gas, Bypass, and Agent flows

Ambient pressure

P1
P2

P1 = pressure difference P2 = correction (off-set) to ambient pressure

Laminar flow restriction

Clinical Spirometry
Pitot tubes measure the pressure difference created by the gas flow Knowing the amount of pressure difference allows the gas module to calculate flow Flow is mathematically integrated over time to calculate volume

Pitot Tube Principles

Agent Adjustment
Bypass flow measurement One way valve
Restrictor

Inflow close valve

Temperature sensor

liquid flow prevention Cassette ID Magnets AladinTM cassette

Agent flow measurement Agent proportional. valve Outflow close valve

Agent Adjustment

3 3 2

Cardiac Thermodilution

Mathematics of Thermodilution
Quantity = Volume X Concentration Volume = Flow X Time Quantity = Flow X Time X Concentration Flow = Quantity / (Time X Concentration)

Plot of Washout Curve

High and Low Cardiac Output