Measurement of the Oxygen Diffusion Coefficient in the Subcutis of Man

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Abstract
The subcutaneous tissue is considered a ball which is surrounded by a network of capillaries. By applying general equations for the diffusion of gases a series of equations are evolved. These equations show the importance of the different factors which influence the oxygen supply to the subcutaneous tissue. Some preliminary measurements are done in order to show the validity of these equations, and in order to show how they may be used most conveniently. The increase in tissue oxygen tension when a subject is switched over from breathing air to breathing pure oxygen is measured with a covered Pt electrode. From the resulting curve the oxygen diffusion coefficient is calculated. If the oxygen consumption of the tissue and the intercapillary distance is known the capillary oxygen tension and the blood flow may also be calculated. The results obtained are of the expected order of magnitude.