Pulmonary Diffusion of Oxygen

Abstract

Using a new empirical formula for the oxygen dissociation curve, the solution of Bohr's diffusion equation leads to a tabulated function. The influence of the solubility of oxygen could easily be taken into account. A simplified derivation of Bohr's formula has been presented for capillaries in series. In order to make the theory applicable to a network of capillaries the concept of diffusion/perfusion ratio had to be introduced. Its significance as a distribution factor has been clarified by a numerical example.