Lab Description:
A laboratory that provides the knowledge to develop practical based-concepts and skill-based learning to the students in Basic Physiology course (PHYL 214R) and Advanced Physiology courses like Neurophysiology (PHYL 225), Cardiopulmonary Physiology (ANES 221) and Respiratory physiology (RT 221 R), who are preparing for their careers in allied health sciences, medical technologies.
Lab Objectives:
Laboratory work in Physiology is meant to inculcate in the students the habit of carrying out certain procedures in an orderly manner, make careful observations, critically analyzing the results and draw appropriate conclusion.
This will help them in developing scientific skills that will aid them when they approach a problem in clinical setting.
The ability to solve problems is the ultimate skill of the physician, and this ability will be honed if the above-mentioned qualities are suitably developed.
Equipment and tools used in the lab:
1. ECG recording machine
The ECG machine works on current AC-220 volts, or on battery, and has a very sensitive galvanometer. The potentials picked up from the surface of the body are suitably amplified before flowing through the galvanometer.
The electrodes for the limbs are flat metal plates which are clamped on the distal end of all four limbs. The chest electrode is a metal cup which is kept in position by “suction” produced by a rubber bulb. Electrode jelly is rubbed on the skin at the electrode positions to reduce skin resistance. Cable lead wires connect the subject to the machine.
2.Spiro-lab
Spiro-lab is a portable spirometer which can be operated completely
autonomously or can be connected to a personal computer by means of USB or Bluetooth connections.
A turbine inside the device that uses the interruption of infra-red light as its operating principle, measures volume and flow rate. This operating principle ensures accurate, reproducible results without needing periodic recalibration.
The device is intended for measuring respiratory parameters and monitoring oxygen saturation and pulse rate.
Spiro-lab is intended for use by medical specialists, and it provides them with a powerful compact tool that can process about 30 respiratory function parameters. The device also provides a pharmacodynamic response, i.e., the % comparison of spirometric data measured before and after (PRE/POST) administration of a drug for bronchial provocation or bronchodilation. The POST data measured after administering the drug is compared with the PRE data obtained before administration.
Clinical application:
This test teaches the student about Spirogram, a graphical record of lung volumes and capacities, which is a useful measurement for assessing the ventilatory functions of the lungs in health and disease.
