Lung function tests in small experimental animals by means of a signal processing system.

For the analysis of the airflow velocity and oesophageal pressure signals of anaesthetized spontaneously breathing small animals (rats and guinea pigs), a signal processing program package was developed for a multiprocessor system (Electronic Measuring Gears Co., Budapest). 4-10 respiratory cycles were analysed in a signal series and the arithmetic mean value was used to increase the accuracy of the method. Since standardization of the respiratory parameters of small animals has not yet been specified, the normalization of volume values per 100 cm2 body surface is proposed.