DSI Buxco FinePointe - Acquiring Data; Launching Acquisition

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Acquiring Data

When you acquire data, you will find that the actual acquisition of the data takes very little time. The key to

consistency and validity of the data is how you manage the subject within the apparatus. One factor which

determines much of what you do is the dead space in the system. In the smaller animals, the dead space in the

system is at least large compared to the tidal volume of the subject, so you will need to be vigilant about clearing

from the manifold.

When you acquire data from a mouse, the dead space is much greater than the tidal volume of the mouse. In the

case of a rat, the dead space makes up a significant percentage of the rat’s tidal volume. In all tests, it is important

that the test begins at FRC, and if the animal is rebreathing air from the manifold, the FRC will fall rapidly as the

animal breathes deeper to get more oxygen.

Moreover, in previous systems, we used to recommend that the user run first by ventilating the subject for a

couple minutes while acquiring baseline Resistance & Compliance data. We found that mice would become

hyperventilated and as a result, would not try to breathe when the FRC tests were run. The users would have to

turn off the ventilator for about a minute before the mouse would begin to breathe on its own again. It may still

be possible to run this way, but the preferred approach is to begin running the FRC test almost immediately and

save the ventilated Resistance & Compliance baseline collection for after the execution of the tests.

So here are some things you should do:

• Be sure to cut the tracheal tube to a length as short as possible

• Whenever the subject’s tracheal tube is attached to the apparatus, and not currently running a test,

turn on the Inspiration valve on the Valve Control module so that the subject can get fresh air, and

make sure the FRC valve is set to Auto (open).

• Be quick an efficient when you run the tests. Taking extra time opens the opportunity for you to

deprive the subject of oxygen, and this will adversely affect your result.

• After you complete the tests, turn on the ventilator and get tidal breathing data (RC).

Launching Acquisition

Before you can begin data collection, you will need to create a PFT Study. If you’ve already created one before,

and even collected data, you can use that study to collect additional data. Keep in mind that the reporting

capabilities of FinePointe exist within a single study, so you will only want to collect data into a study which you

intend to report together.

In addition to having a study already created, you will also need to calibrate beforehand. Refer to the section on

Calibrating for instructions in doing this.

There are two ways to launch acquisition. You can launch acquisition from the FinePointe Home page, or you can

launch it from the Study page.

To launch from the Home page, you can select the study you want to acquire to, and drag the study and drop it on

the station icon you want to acquire with.