i _ y f Project Title: 13. SF ’ Technology and MedicineApplications clear Health NuOther Early Detection and Localization of Pulmonary Impairment RX¥-01-03-(£) Publications: This proposal initiates new work. However, the feasibility of the preposed technique was presented in prior publications: Susskind, H., Richards, P., Atkins, H. L., and Skolnick, M. Detection of impaired pulmonary function with a mass-spectrographic tracer technique. Proc. 24th Ann. Conf. Eng. Med. Biol. 13, 2238 (1971). Susskind, H., Richards, P., and Atkins, H. L, Studies of airway closure Susskind, H., Richards, P., and Atkins, H. L. Closing volume. with helium. J. Appl. Physiol. (Submitted). the Editor, The.Lancet, Vol. I. pp. 603-4, 1973. 14. Ltr. to :* Scope: (a) 200 Word Summary: The objective is to develop the methodology and instrumentation for two related isotopic tracer techniques, one for the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the second for the evaluation of the extent and distribution of disease in the lungs. The first technique involves the use of stable helium to measure distal airway closure. Reference values will be prepared from clinical data obtained from a large statistical sample of healthy subjects. Premature closure in subjects indicates abnormalitics. The technique is particularly well-suited to massacreening applications by using mobile cquipmente and instantaneous computer analysts in the assoctated "lunpmobile'. ItelLium has a number of advantages ‘ over other gases, including a higher diffusion rate and a much lower blood solubility. The second technique involves the use of radioactive xenon 127 in conjunction with the isotope camera and computer interface in clinical studies to quantitate the extent of ventilation and perfusion defects in those patients detected by the helium screening procedure and in others, Xenon 127 has several advantages over xenon 133, the gas currently in use, including higher resolution and more efficient detection of the gammas emitted and a longer half-life (36 days). ent to 200 Word Summary: Emphysema and other diseases of the small airwaygFe@f che lung, and lung impairment caused by air pollution and tobacco smok@g-eften defy detection in their early stages when treatment could be effective. By the time chronic airway obstruction is detected by the usual Vbd9244 7 oT ee 1 Su 4? — (See Continuation. 4 measurements of lung function, the disease process is generally irreversible. At the present time, no techniques are available to detect the early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Only the airway closure technique and measurement of the maximum mid-expiratory flow rate, which is noc as sensitive, show any promise when used in routine pulmonary function tests