Full Assessment of Lung Mechanics Using Computer‐Controlled, Forced Oscillation Technique

The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a powerful and accurate method to quantify the mechanical properties of the airways and tissues of the respiratory system. Here we provide a detailed protocol for the measurement of mouse respiratory mechanical parameters. We present a procedure for mouse endotracheal intubation using a handcrafted intubation platform and confirmation module. The FlexiVentFX™ system (Scireq Inc.) is utilized for the thorough assessment of lung function with the FlexiWare™ software serving as a unit for the planning, experimentation, and analysis. The protocol has been standardized and adapted for use by our center for lung‐function phenotyping of mouse models generated for the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC). The simplified steps, technical considerations, and integrated hardware‐software demonstration make this protocol adaptable and implementable for researchers interested in using FOT for lung‐function evaluation. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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