The Q-CPX is a new Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing System, complete with the CPX Metabolic Analyzer for breath by breath CO2 and O2 exchange measurements.  Included is a pneumotach spirometer for breath flow and volume measurements, and a heart rate monitor.   Options include a sturdy cart, bicycle ergometer, blood pressure monitor, blood saturation oximeter and a12-lead EKG.  The software monitors outputs from all sensors as well as controlling the ergometer with standard and customizable test procedures. 

Precise breath by breath analysis is conducted using a combined rapid response NDIR CO2 analyzer and laser diode O2 Analyzer.   Comfortable face masks are provided that do not impede natural breathing, and which are inexpensive enough for single subject use.  The system includes a PC running the renowned ComPAS Software suite for automated cardiovascular fitness measurements.   

Calibration of the gas analyzers and the pneumotach spirometer is fully automated, set up is minimal and accuracy is assured.   The data display can be customized for specific applications, or one of several default configurations may be used.   Both raw and calculated parameters such as VO2, VCO2, RER, RR, Vt, VE, ETO2, ETCO2, HR etc are displayed and can be manipulated both in graphical and tabular format.  In addition to breath analysis, pulmonary tests can be performed, displayed and saved during an exercise test.

RER data screen

ComPAS Certified Software has been developed over a period of 30 years, and is used extensively in hospitals throughout the USA.   It provides an extensive data base for patient records, and permits patient tracking, record keeping and reporting.  During an exercise test, the software guides the user through each stage of the procedure with a simple graphical user interface, ensuring that all procedures, and any necessary calibrations, are followed exactly.  An extensive help menu is built directly into the software. 

As well as providing best in class data acquisition for cardiopulmonary exercise testing, ComPAS includes comprehensive protocols for pulmonary function testing.

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 Patient records screen

Metabolic Rate Analyzer

Specifications of Metabolic Rate Analyzer:

CO2 Sensor

• Operating Principle – Infrared Spectroscopy
• CO2 Range – 0% to 13%
• Operating Temperature – 5°C to 55°C
• Power Consumption – 335 mW
• Response Time –   Detector – 28 ms (typical), System – 100 ms (typical)
• Breath Rate- >60 bpm

O2 Sensor

• Operating Principle- Laser Diode - Optical Absorption
• Range – 5% to 100%
• Resolution – 0.01 Vol.% O2
• Linearity – 0.2 Vol.%
• Response time (T90) – 130 ms @ 200 mL/min flow
• Operating Temperature – 0°C to 50°C
• Operating Relative Humidity  – 5 to 95%
• Operating Pressure – 25 to 115 kPa

Qubit’s  S185 Hand-Grip Heart Rate Monitor is ideal for determining a person’s heart rate while mobile or stationary. With this sensor, heart rate can be monitored before, during, as well as after exercise. The sensor consists of wireless hand grips and a receiver module that plugs into the C410 LabPro Interface. The hand grips sense the electrical signals generated by the heart, much like an ECG. For each pulse detected, a signal is transmitted to the receiver module, and the individual’s pulse rate is calculated.  We recommend using this monitor with C901 LoggerPro data acquisition software.

All human electrophysiology and human respiratory monitoring products produced by Qubit Systems Inc. are not appropriate for medical or clinical applications

Qubit’s S184 Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of tests related to air flow and lung volume. The Spirometer is designed to make human respiratory measurements at rest and during moderate activity.

All human electrophysiology and human respiratory monitoring products produced by Qubit Systems Inc. are not appropriate for medical or clinical applications

The sensor of the S184 Spirometer includes a removable flow head (22 mm ID / 30 mm OD) for easy cleaning and sterilization, and a differential pressure transducer. The Spirometer package includes 1 sensor handle, 1 flow head, 5 disposable mouthpieces, 1 disposable bacterial filter, and 1 nose clip. The S184 Spirometer is included in the Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package.

Available Accessories :

• Disposable Mouthpieces for S184 Spirometer (30/pkg) – A151

• Disposable Bacterial Filter for S184 Spirometer (10/pkg) – A152

The S182 Wireless Exercise Heart Rate Monitor is ideal for determining the heart rate of individuals. Using this sensor, a subject’s heart rate can be monitored before, during and after exercise.

All human electrophysiology and human respiratory monitoring products produced by Qubit Systems Inc. are not appropriate for medical or clinical applications

The S182 Exercise Heart Rate Monitor consists of a wireless transmitter belt and a receiver module designed to plug into a C410 LabPro Interface. The transmitter belt senses the electrical signals generated by the heart, much like an EKG. For each heartbeat detected, a signal is transmitted to the receiver module, and a heart rate is determined. The voltage signal is transmitted to the computer via the interface and may be displayed as Beats per Minute (BPM) by C901 Logger Pro software.  The Exercise Heart Rate Monitor is part of the Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package and BBB1LP Breath by Breath Package (O2+CO2).

The Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package allows users to conduct numerous safe, exciting investigations in respiratory and cardiovascular physiology. The equipment and instruments are simple to set up and operate and the experiments are interesting and informative. The Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package is ideal for use at undergraduate laboratory courses, yet the package’s Infrared CO2 Analyzer, Oxygen Sensor, Pneumotach Spirometer and Wireless Exercise Heart-Rate Monitor have the accuracy and resolution required for research.

NOTE: All human electrophysiology and human respiratory monitoring products provided by Qubit Systems Inc. are NOT approved for medical or clinical applications.

The Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package Includes:

• Q-P651 Gas Pump (4L/min no load)
• Q-G265 Flow Monitor (2L/min)
• Q-S102 O2 Analyzer (0-100%)
• Q-S153 CO2 Analyzer (0-10%) (Includes CO2 and H2O scrubbers)
• S182 Wireless Exercise Heart Rate Monitor
• S184 Pneumotach Spirometer
• A505 Face Masks (2 Large, 2 Medium)
• A506 Head Strap for mask (2)
• A508 Non-rebreathing valve (2) (each with mask adapter, 2 tubing adapters 2 valve leaflets and valve insertion tool)
• G129 Breath Mixing Volume Bags (2)
• C610 LabQuest minis (2) data interface system
• C901 Logger Pro Software
• C404 Customized Setup Software
• Rugged, weather-proof case
• Q-Box Accessory Kit
• Manual

 The C901 LoggerPro  software supplied with the Human Respirometry Package displays breathing frequency, relative breathing depth, heart rate data as well as O2 and CO2 concentration in the exhaled breath, as they are collected. This enables the user to follow changes in these variables as they occur during the various experimental procedures.  Exhaled air is sub-sampled from a mixing volume and pumped through the gas analysis system at a known flow rate. From the data tidal volume, VE, VO2, VCO2 and respiratory exchange ratio can be calculated.

 Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package can be used for measurements of:

• VO2 and VCO2 during rest and exercise
• Heart rate
• Tidal Volume
• Minute Volume
• Breathing Frequency

CO2 and O2 are monitored continuously in mixed expired air, so that changes in VO2 and VCO2 can be monitored with time and under changing conditions.

Example of experiments with Q-Box HR1LP Human respirometry Package:

• Effects of isotonic exercise on VE, VO2, VCO2 and respiratory exchange ratio
• Effects of hyperventilation and breath holding on respiration and heart rate
• Effects of re-breathing and increased dead space on respiration and heart rate
• Effects of diet, caffeine, etc. on metabolism

The Q-Box HR1LP package can be easily adapted for use as Q-Box RP2LP High Range Respiration Package by adding the G114 Animal Chamber.  As such it can be used for investigations of respirometry in mice and other small animals.

Example of data from Q-Box HR1LP experiment involving a subject at rest, on a stationary bike and at rest again.

Qubit’s new BBB1LP Breath by Breath Respirometry Package is designed to measure both steady-state and dynamic changes in human metabolic rate under a variety of test conditions. VO2, VCO2, VO2max, resting metabolic rate (RMR), Respiratory Exchange Ratio and a host of other physiological and pulmonary parameters may be measured using the package.

The Breath by Breath Respirometry Package contains:

• S147 Rapid Response O2/CO2 Analyzer
• S182 Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
• C901 Logger Pro Sofware
• C410 LabPro Interface
• F500 Flow meter
• A505 Face Masks (2 large, 2 med)
• A506 Headstraps for masks (2)
• A510 Pneumotach spirometer
• A511 Pneumotach adapter
• Assorted Tubing and Connectors (Q13606)

The Breath by Breath Respirometry Package is for educational and research use only. It is not to be used as a clinical or diagnostic tool.

When running experiments using the Breath by Breath Respirometry Package, the user wears a light-weight face mask (or a breathing tube if preferred) that allows for breath sampling during rest or during exercise on a variety of ergometers. Inhaled and exhaled breath are analyzed by the rapid response O2/ CO2 analyzer (S147) at a sampling rate of 100 Hz so that the entire breath wave form is displayed graphically in real time. The breath wave form and end-tidal O2 and CO2 are clearly displayed, even during vigorous exercise.

A heart rate monitor (S182) is also included with the Breath by Breath system, as is a spirometer for lung function analysis. All data are collected and displayed graphically using Logger Pro software (C901)  via a LabPro interface (C410)  that is compatible with both PC and Macintosh Computers. Logger Pro software has a host of data analysis functions, and both raw and calculated data may be exported to spreadsheets for further analysis if required.

The Breath by Breath Respirometry Package is easy to set up and use, and has all the accuracy of metabolic cart systems which cost many times more.

to view our instructional videos about the use of BBB1LP package please Contact QUBIT

References:

• Wasserman, K., J.E. Hansen, D.Y. Sue, W.W. Stringer and B.J. Whipp (2005): “Principles of Exercise Testing and Interpretation” 4th Ed., App. C; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publ.

Figure 1. Raw O2 and CO2 data from a Breath by Breath Respirometry experiment.

Figure 2. Calculated breath parameters from a Breath by Breath Respirometry experiment.