Solubility of inert gases in human lung tissue

Abstract

Solubilities of the relatively insoluble inert gases, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and helium (He), the moderately soluble inert gases, nitrous oxide (N2O) and acetylene (C2H2), and the very soluble inert gas, diethyl ether, were determined in blood-free homogenates of human lung tissue at 37℃ by techniques employing the manometric and volumetric van Slyke apparatuses. The values, reported as Bunsen solubility coefficients at 37℃, were 0.0068, 0.0092, 0.407, 0.768 and 13.4 for SF6, He, N2O, C2H2 and diethyl ether, respectively. Submitted on December 4, 1958