3. Old stuff
          3.2. Old physio stuff (around 2005)
              3.2.4. Clinical measurement
                  3.2.4.1. Basic principles
 3.2.4.1.5. SI Units 

SI Units

Units for pressure

SI unit for pressure:

  • Pascal (Pa)
    * Pressure = Force / Area
    * 1 Pa = 1 Newton acting over 1 square metre
    * 1 Pa = 1 Nm-2.

Conversions

  • 1 kPa
    = 7.5mmHg
    = 10.2 cmH2O
    = 0.00987 ATA
    =0.146 psi
  • 1 mmHg
    = 1.36 cmH2O
    = 0.019 psi
    = 0.133 kPa
  • 1 cmH2O
    = 0.735mmHg
  • One atmosphere absolute
    = 1 ATA
    = 760mmHg
    = 101.3 kPa
    = 14.7 psi
    = 1.013 Bar
    = 1033 cmH2O

NB

  • psi = pound per square inch
  • 1cm of H2O = 0.735mmHg (see above)
  • 1cm of blood = 0.77mmHg
  • 1J = 1 L.kPa = 1 Nm
  • 1 N = 100000dyne = 1 kg.m.s-2
  • 1 Pa = 1 Nm-2 = 10 dyne.cm-2

 

Units for resistance

  • 1 kPa.L-1.s
    = 10.2cmH2O.L-1.s
    = 10 dyne.cm-5.s
    = 7.5 mmHg.L-1.s
    = 0.125 mmHg.L-1.min