Modelling Respiratory Gas Dynamics in the Aviator's Breathing System

An opportunity exists to develop a comprehensive model of the Aviator's Breathing System (ABS) which mathematically describes the dynamics of respiratory gas exchange in breathing systems for high performance military aircraft. The proposed Phase I development program will include a detailed review of the literature, the synthesis and solution of a mathematical model of the ABS including the major breathing system components as well as a physiologic model of lung mechanics and respiratory gas transport. The model will be partially validated against existing data to yield a Phase I ABS model which could be employed as a tool for integrating existing physiologic knowledge and for guiding future research by explicitly identifying the new data required to more fully describe the physiologic consequences of breathing system design. Moreover, an ABS model could be employed to interpolate or extrapolate to conditions not actually measured empirically. As a life support system development tool, the ABS model will assist in elucidating the major effects of the environment and protective systems on aircrew performance, safety, and comfort. In this role, the model could be employed to show how changes to protective systems should be made to avoid adverse interactions and improve protection.