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Respiratory chambers

What are they?
Respiratory chambers are airtight cabins measuring two by three metres in which patients or trial subjects are ‘locked' for one or more days. These chambers have a bed, television, toilet, TV, internet and all other basic comforts.

What do they do?
A respiratory chamber measures a patient's energy expenditure or metabolism under various climactic conditions. The measurement technique - known as calorimetry - measures the difference between O2 and CO2 concentrations consumed and expelled. This difference can then be used to determine the energy consumption. In addition to measuring gas concentrations, these respiration chambers can also be used to analyse food intake, faeces output and blood samples.

Why do we need it?
The central question this research is trying to answer is how much energy (read: food) man needs to survive. In a world where obesity is quickly reaching devastating new proportions, this type of research helps us understand the effects of dieting, of exercising twice a week, of consuming energy drinks or other nutritional supplements and the gives us new insight into the metabolism of older individuals with chronic disorders.

What are the advantages?
Before the Faculty of Humane Biology at Maastricht University designed these respiration chambers thirty years ago, we were unable to measure metabolism with this type of accuracy. IDEE built these chambers in collaboration with the HB Department. Five new chambers with high-tech analysis technology are currently under construction.

Any additional features?
The University of Warwick (UK) approached Maastricht Instruments to request a double respiratory chamber like the one at the HB Department in Maastricht. With the help of the HB Department (adviser and supplier of analytic software) and strategic partner DSM Resolve (airtight chambers and accompanying climate control) MI was able to successfully complete the assignment. Warwick will soon be able to launch their research studies.

What do we think?
"The Dutch are often quite modest but I will happily say that this is the highest quality respiratory chamber in the world," according to Emile Arnoldussen, business developer at Maastricht Instruments.

Download the Respiration Chamber Brochure here.

 

Respiratory chambers

What are they?
Respiratory chambers are airtight cabins measuring two by three metres in which patients or trial subjects are ‘locked' for one or more days. These chambers have a bed, television, toilet, TV, internet and all other basic comforts.

What do they do?
A respiratory chamber measures a patient's energy expenditure or metabolism under various climactic conditions. The measurement technique - known as calorimetry - measures the difference between O2 and CO2 concentrations consumed and expelled. This difference can then be used to determine the energy consumption. In addition to measuring gas concentrations, these respiration chambers can also be used to analyse food intake, faeces output and blood samples.

Why do we need it?
The central question this research is trying to answer is how much energy (read: food) man needs to survive. In a world where obesity is quickly reaching devastating new proportions, this type of research helps us understand the effects of dieting, of exercising twice a week, of consuming energy drinks or other nutritional supplements and the gives us new insight into the metabolism of older individuals with chronic disorders.

What are the advantages?
Before the Faculty of Humane Biology at Maastricht University designed these respiration chambers thirty years ago, we were unable to measure metabolism with this type of accuracy. IDEE built these chambers in collaboration with the HB Department. Five new chambers with high-tech analysis technology are currently under construction.

Any additional features?
The University of Warwick (UK) approached Maastricht Instruments to request a double respiratory chamber like the one at the HB Department in Maastricht. With the help of the HB Department (adviser and supplier of analytic software) and strategic partner DSM Resolve (airtight chambers and accompanying climate control) MI was able to successfully complete the assignment. Warwick will soon be able to launch their research studies.

What do we think?
"The Dutch are often quite modest but I will happily say that this is the highest quality respiratory chamber in the world," according to Emile Arnoldussen, business developer at Maastricht Instruments.

Download the Respiration Chamber Brochure here.