Buxco^® Non-Invasive Airway Mechanics

NAM is an acronym for Noninvasive Airway Mechanics also known as “Pennock” Double Chamber Plethysmography.  The NAM system monitors ventilatory and bronchoconstriction parameters in animals without the use of anesthesia.  The subject is restrained in a double chamber plethysmograph which allows the independent measurement of nasal and thoracic flows.  Thoracic flow being  the airflow due to thoracic expansion and compression.  When the subject inhales, it draws air from the nasal chamber into the lungs. As the air moves into the lungs, the chest expands and forces the same volume of air out of the thoracic chamber. The phase difference between both flows is a measure of bronchoconstriction and called specific airway resistance (sRaw).  The Double Chamber Plethysmograph design was scientifically established over 30 years ago and is considered an alternative to EF50 and Penh¹.  The NAM system is ideal for researchers interested longitudinal studies of airway resistance without the use of anesthesia.

Key Features:

• Species: Mouse, Rat, Hartley Guinea Pig
• Continuously measures specific airway resistance in conscious animals
• 2 and 4 chamber systems available
• 12 chambers can be monitored simultaneously with one software license
• Hardware controller supports chambers for all three species
• Integrated nebulizer controller per chamber for simultaneous software controlled exposure
• Automated microprocessor-controlled system diagnostics
• Chambers utilize patented Allay™ Restraint system, integrated pneumotach, and reference chambers
• Integrated, automated, software regulated “low noise” bias flow
• Thoracic chamber bias flow can be enabled to help regulate body temperature
• Automated calibration including calculation of Time Constants for Nasal and Thoracic portions of chamber

Key Benefits:

• Patented Allay™ Restraint™ - secures the animal without compressing the thorax
• Auto Diagnostics – microprocessor controlled system check ensures accurate data
• Smart Integration – bidirectional communication ensures scientific reproducibility
• Auto Calibration – reduces user error and provides consistent, fast calibration
• Halcyon® Pneumotach – chambers incorporate patented noise suppression design
• Nebulizer calibration – overcomes variability in nebulizer efficiency rates
• Automated bias flow rates – user defined bias flow reduction during exposure period
• Ultra-low bias flow noise – minimizes signal to noise ratio, improves data analysis
• FinePointe Software – integrated study design and subsequent automated reporting
• State-of-the-art acrylic manufacturing techniques - yields the highest quality chambers available

Applications and References

¹Pennock, B.E., C.P. Cox, R.M. Rogers, W. A. Cain, and J.H. Wells. A noninvasive technique for measurement of changes in specific airway resistance. J. Appl. 46(2): 399-406, 1979.

Publications Citing Buxco FinePointe Noninvasive Airway Mechanics

Khaitov M, Shilovskiy I, Nikonova A, Shershakova N, Kamyshnikov O, Babakhin A, Zverev V, Johnston S, Khaitov R. “Small interfering RNAs targeted to interleukin-4 and respiratory syncytial virus reduce airway inflammation in a mouse model of virus-induced asthma exacerbation.” Human Gene Therapy. 2014;25:642-650.

Lowe A, Broadley K, Nials A, Ford W, Kidd E. “Adjustment of sensitisation and challenge protocols restores functional and inflammatory responses to ovalbumin in guinea-pigs.” The Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. 2014;72: 85-93.

Kandasamy R, Park S, Boyapalle S, Mohapatra S, Hellermann G, Lockey R, Mohapatra S. “Isatin down-regulates expression of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor A and inhibits airway inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma.” International Immunopharmacology. 2010;10:218-225.

Accessories / Supplies:

A variety of accessories and supplies are available for all Buxco respiratory products to improve system flexibility and maintain proper system performance.  The most commonly requested accessory is the Chamber Maintenance Kit which includes replacement o-ring seals and plethysmograph screens.

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