Figure 1From: The influence of hydrogen peroxide and histamine on lung permeability and translocation of iridium nanoparticles in the isolated perfused rat lungDiagram of the experimental perfusion system used for this study. The ultrafine iridium particles (Ir-UFP) radiolabelled with 192Ir were produced in the spark generator. At the exit of spark generator the aerosol was quasi-neutralized by a radioactive 85Kr source. The aerosol was diluted with nitrogen and with oxygen and adjusted to obtain 20% oxygen and was air conditioned at 50–60 % relative humidity. The particle size distribution and number concentration were monitored by a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) and a condensation particle counter (CPC). 192Ir-UFP radioactivity of the aerosol was determined by continuous aerosol sampling of a measured volume and integral radioactivity counting. The lungs were perfused at a perfusion rate of 5 ml/min and a stroke volume of 10 ml. Respiration rate set at 65 breaths per minute. Negative ventilation pressure in chamber was regulated with animal ventilator. Lungs were manually expanded (sighed) every 4 minutes by applying a negative pressure of -2.5 kPa to the chamber.Back to article page