Quantification of Bubbles Formed in Animals and Man During Decompression

Bubbles that form in the tissues and bloodstreams of animals and humans undergoing a compression/decompression sequence are considered precursors to symptoms of decompression sickness. A prevalent method used to monitor these bubbles is to ensonify the pulmonary artery or inferior vena cava with ultrasound and listen for Doppler shifted signals in the reflected and scattered sound.