Application of the hot-wire anemometer to respiratory measurements in small animal.

A hot-wire anemometer was evaluated to determine its suitability for measurement of small tidal volumes. Used with a constant background flow of gas, the output of the hot-wire anemometer was linear and independent of respiratory frequency, temperature, and humidity. The change in output with CO2 concentration was negligible within the physiologic range. The use of a background flow eliminates the need for one-way valves, minimizes dead space, and maintains the flow velocity past the hot wire within its range of linear response.