Graphical lung analysis and simulation environment

The study of transport across the pulmonary vasculature is an important aspect of the study of the lung. Models have often been used in conjunction with experimental work to further the information which can be obtained from experimental work alone. GLANSE was developed as an environment to carry out such analysis on microcomputers. The main model employed is a three region, homogeneous model which includes provisions for tracer diffusion in the extravascular region, hydrophilic and lipophyilic tracers as well as physiological parameters such as blood flow. Several heterogeneous models based on simplified versions of the three region model as well as two models which are not related to the three region model are also included. Computationally efficient routines for model simulations are used so as to enable their execution on microcomputers with large data sets. In addition, several methods for models analysis, such as parameter sensitivity and curve-fitting, as well as statistical analysis of results are also included. GLANSE has been tested and has been in use for several years for routine analysis of experimental data.