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.

The HE1LP Human Electrophysiology Package is designed to investigate electrophysiological aspects of human physiology in a completely safe and non-invasive manner. Measure such parameters as EKG, EMG, Dynamometry, GSR and EOG. Where required, disposable electrodes are supplied, each of which has a gel backing that attaches the electrode to the subject’s skin. Signals from the skin are transmitted through optically isolated circuitry, and power for the sensors is transformed from AC to low voltage DC, so there is never any risk of electric shock.

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

The Human Electrophysiology Package includes:

• S205 Electrocardiograph Sensor (EKG)
• S210 Electromyograph Sensor (EMG)
• S216 Hand Dynamometer (HD)
• S220 Galvanic Skin Response Sensor (GSR)
• S225 Electrooculograph Sensor (EOG)
• A263 Disposable Electrophysiology Electrodes
• C410 LabPro Interface
• C901 Logger Pro Software
• C404 Customized Setup Software
• Instructor Manual

Numerous investigations are possible with each of the sensors, which may be purchased individually or as a package with a C410 LabPro interface and C901 Logger Pro software. The sensors provide an excellent complement to the HR1LP Human Respirometry Package for comprehensive investigations of subjects under a variety of conditions.

Electrocardiograph (EKG) Sensor S205
The EKG sensor measures cardiac waveforms generated by electrical activity of the heart muscle. The cyclical contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles creates an electrical current that moves through the body, which can be measured by electrodes attached to the skin. The EKG sensor comes with 3 electrode cables and a set of 100 disposable electrodes.

Electromyograph (EMG) Sensor S210
Qubit Systems’ surface electromyograph (EMG) records the electrical activity of muscles. Normal muscle tissue is electrically silent when relaxed. When it is active during a contraction, an electrical current is generated that can be measured at the surface of the skin. The strength of the signal depends upon the number of muscle motor units recruited to contract the muscle. An audible signal is produced as the muscle is flexed so that the subject receives a visual and an aural indication of the strength of the contraction.

Hand Dynamometer S216
Qubit Systems’ strain-gage based isometric S216 Hand Dynamometer is designed for use with the LabPro interface and Logger Pro software in a variety of experiments, and may be combined with the S210 EMG sensor for comprehensive studies of muscle activity. The dynamometer is factory calibrated in Newtons and kilograms force. It measures grip strength, relative strength of the left and right hand, muscle fatigue and endurance. It also has grips for measuring finger strength.

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) Sensor S220
The S220 Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) Sensor measures the psycho-galvanic reflex. This reflex generates a change in skin conductivity during periods of stress, excitement or shock. The GSR sensor monitors skin conductivity between two reusable electrodes attached to 2 fingers of one hand. While the subject is at rest, a steady background signal will be monitored by C901 Logger Pro software on the computer screen. It is also possible to obtain an audible signal.

Electrooculograph (EOG) Sensor S225
Qubit Systems’ S225 Electrooculograph (EOG) is used to monitor eye movement of a stationary subject. A reference electrode is placed on the forehead, electrodes are placed on the right and left temples for lateral eye movement detection, and above and below an eye for vertical eye movement detection. Lateral movement and vertical movement are plotted on different channels as voltages, or the EOG can be calibrated for each subject to provide angles of eye movement in both the horizontal and vertical plane.

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.