Integrative Physiology-Coupled Pilot-Centered Flight Simulation

This research focuses on coupling the FlightGear flight simulator and Pulse physiology engine applications to recreate and understand hypoxic events, related to a combination of high FiO2 and high g-forces. Global data is shared between the FlightGear and Pulse by creating interdependency between the two applications known as coupling. By coupling interactive simulations based on FlightGear and Pulse, hypoxic events were recreated from two scenarios: simulated acceleration atelectasis, achieved by using high g-forces output from FlightGear with a modified Pulse tension pneumothorax scenario, and the combination of high g-forces and high FiO2, based on a prototype OBOGS simulation. To validate hypoxia based on each scenario, pulmonary ventilation (V)-capillary perfusion (Q) ratios are evaluated to determine if there is a V/Q mismatch caused by a reduction in ventilation.