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 Displacement-
Narcomed
Rotameter- Ohmeda SE
Pneumotach
 Flow Measurement Principle
 Electronic flow measurement
Counter principle
P2
pressure - laminar flow restrictions
sensor create a pressure difference P1
- flow is calculated from P1
P1
 Used with Oxygen, Side gas, Bypass,
flow flow and Agent flows
in out

Ambient P1 P1 = pressure difference

pressure
P2 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 Restrictor

Agent flow
valve measurement
Agent proportional.
valve
liquid flow
Inflow prevention Outflow
close close
valve Cassette ID valve
Magnets
Temperature sensor AladinTM cassette
Agent Adjustment

1
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