Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term used to refer to a set of chronic lung diseases with pulmonary manifestations (e.g. emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or a combination of both) resulting from exposure to inhaled irritants such as cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants. The pulmonary aspects of COPD typically include characteristic lesions, chronic inflammation, excessive mucus production, and a degree of fixed airflow limitation associated with disease severity. This disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the clinical setting, physicians rely heavily on spirometry and its outcome parameters (e.g. FEV1 and FVC) for diagnosis and monitoring as well as for the assessment of disease severity, as defined by the GOLD scale. Other lung function measurements, such as pressure-volume curves, forced oscillations, or thoracic imaging, are used in addition to bronchoprovocation tests to establish a diagnosis or evaluate disease progression.
In preclinical COPD research, the challenge is often to link structural changes (e.g. cigarette-smoke induced alveolar destruction) to altered lung function measurements, such as resistance, compliance or spirometry outcomes. The flexiVent is a comprehensive tool allowing an integrated assessment of various disease determinants (e.g. extent and pattern of induced damage) on lung function decline. It measures the mechanical properties of the lungs with high sensitivity and reproducibility. In addition, it reliably evaluates COPD-diseased lungs through pressure-volume curves, changes in lung volume (e.g. inspiratory or forced vital capacities), or forced expiration outcomes, providing clinically relevant information.
Symptoms of COPD include dyspnea, chronic cough, and chronic sputum production. Plethysmography, as a non-invasive technique, offers a powerful means of rapidly screening subjects based on changes in ventilatory parameters (e.g. breathing frequency, tidal volume, peak inspiratory or expiratory flows). Events such as coughing can also be detected and monitored.
The flexiVent is a comprehensive tool allowing an integrated assessment of various disease determinants (ex. extent and pattern of induced damage) on lung function decline. It measures the mechanical properties of the lungs with high sensitivity and reproducibility. Find out more in this short video!
The Kentucky Research Cigarette is an international standard cigarette for research purposes. The cigarette composition is designed to be representative of the most common cigarettes. Find out more about the considerations when using research cigarettes.
COPD is a heterogenous disease and a variety of animal models are utilized by researchers studying COPD. Each model has its own advantages and limitations, helping elucidate different factors and pathways implicated in disease pathogenesis and progression. Learn more about COPD animal models.
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