Tissue Gas Bubble Dynamics During Hypobaric Exposures

A mathematical model has been developed which describes the growth of an extravascular gas bubble in hyper and hypobaric environments. The model accounts for diffusion of inert gas across the tissue/bubble interface, tissue elasticity, gas solubility and diffusivity, surface tension and a perfusion limited inert gas transport to the tissue.

Using this model, the dynamics of bubble growth can be predicted over a wide range of complex hypobaric exposures including decompressions and recompressions. The model can also account for oxygen breathing and switching inert gases during the exposure phase.