High-Speed NDIR Gas Analysis for Pulmonary Diagnostics

Enabling Fast and Accurate DLCO Testing in Clinical Practice

In the evolving landscape of pulmonary diagnostics, the Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) test has become a key method for assessing gas exchange efficiency in the alveoli. Compared to spirometry, DLCO provides deeper insights into lung function, supporting early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease, tracking drug-induced pulmonary toxicity, and distinguishing between asthma and COPD. Together with spirometry, it forms a comprehensive diagnostic basis, enabling clinicians to tailor therapies with greater precision.

Recognizing the importance of measurement accuracy, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) issued the 2017 standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake. Among other specifications, these standards require that the 0–90% response time of DLCO systems must not exceed 150 ms—highlighting the critical impact of sensor responsiveness on result reliability. Compliance with this benchmark is now a prerequisite for modern pulmonary diagnostic equipment.

Cubic Gasboard-2051: Advanced NDIR Technology for Medical Applications

Cubic has developed the Gasboard-2051 to meet this need—a high-performance NDIR gas sensor engineered specifically for DLCO testing applications. Leveraging Cubic’s mature non-dispersive infrared platform, the sensor delivers real-time concentration readings of CH₄, CO, and CO₂, with a response time of under 150 ms. This ensures compliance with ERS/ATS guidelines while pushing the boundaries of measurement precision.

A dedicated microcontroller inside the device handles gas sampling, signal processing, calibration, and data output. The system also features built-in temperature and pressure compensation, maintaining stable accuracy across a wide range of clinical conditions. Thanks to its modular construction, the Gasboard-2051 can be seamlessly integrated into existing pulmonary function testing systems.

With the Gasboard-2051, Cubic offers a state-of-the-art solution for clinical gas analysis that not only adheres to global standards but also anticipates future needs in respiratory diagnostics. As healthcare continues to demand smarter and more reliable diagnostic tools, Cubic reaffirms its commitment to pioneering innovation and supporting clinicians with intelligent sensing technologies worldwide.