Development of an open- source device to assess lung function in small animals

EZEQUIEL CANAY; LEONARDO CASAL; IGNACIO FENOY

IFMBE Proceedings

Springer Verlag

Año: 2023;

To develop new therapies for lung diseases, preclinical trials are carried out in murine models. Our lab is currently designing and testing new treatments for asthma and fibrosis with mice. These studies require evaluation of lung function. The limited supply of commercial devices to test lung physiology, in combination with the absence of open source devices, prompted us to develop a national open source prototype to measure lung function. The designed device uses commercial pressure and flow sensors and performs mechanical ventilation using a 3D-printed syringe infusion pump. The calibration of the prototype was carried out and it was tested in healthy mice to measure pressure, flow, and calculate the volume by flow integration. Volumepressure loops were performed, and the value of lung compliance was estimated. In the future, we will test the device in murine models of asthma and fibrosis.