blood gas calculator type BGC 1
Date: Copyright 1972
Inventory Number: 1989-1-0013
Classification: Slide Rule
Subject:
Maker: Radiometer (founded 1935)
Dimensions:
calculator: 0.9 × 32 × 9 cm (3/8 × 12 5/8 × 3 9/16 in.)
case: 1.7 × 32.3 × 10.8 cm (11/16 × 12 11/16 × 4 1/4 in.)
Accessories: original soft black case; instruction booklet in file folder; article reprint by inventor in file folder: J.W. Severinghaus, "Blood Gas Calculator," Journal of Applied Physiology, 21, no. 3 (May 1966)
Description:
This slide rule is long and rectangular with a black border. It consists of two blue, green, and white sides with information on them, a slider, and a transparent cursor. On one side, there is information relating to the Henderson-Hasselbach Equation. On the other side there are scales for measuring the OXYGEN DISSOCIATION CURVE, EXPIRED AIR, GAS VOLUME CORRECTION, and the ANAEROBIC TEMPERATURE CHANGE of blood. There is also a scale included which may be used as an ordinary slide rule for the multiplication and division of two numbers.
Signedon front of slide rule: RADIOMETER / COPENHAGEN / BLOOD GAS CALCULATOR / TYPE BGC1 COPYRIGHT 1967, 1972 BY RADIOMETER A/S;
on front bottom of slide rule: IWA 1482 Made In Germany SCALE DESIGN: J.W. SEVERINGHAUS, M.D.;
on case in gold lettering: RADIOMETER / COPENHAGEN
on front bottom of slide rule: IWA 1482 Made In Germany SCALE DESIGN: J.W. SEVERINGHAUS, M.D.;
on case in gold lettering: RADIOMETER / COPENHAGEN
FunctionThis rule is designed to simplify the process of determining the gas levels and acid-base status of blood. This slide rule can perform calculations that take into account oxygen dissociation curves, the Henderson- Hasselbach equation (which relates pH, pKa and dissociation values), the temperature change in anaerobic blood samples, and expired air. This type of rule uses specialized knowledge of the subject at hand to build in information, thus requiring less of the user.
Primary Sourcesin file folder: J.W. Severinghaus, "Blood Gas Calculator," Journal of Applied Physiology, 21, no. 3 (May 1966).
ProvenanceGift of Radiometer America Inc. as per request of inventor, Dr. J.W. Severinghaus.