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 (N 2 O) and acetylene (C 2 H 2 ), 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 SF 6 , He, N 2 O, C 2 H 2 and diethyl ether, respectively. Submitted on December 4, 1958