The theory and practice of the thermal-dye indicator-dilution method for measurement of EVLW has been discussed, and all available animal data from our laboratory correlating EVTV and gravimetric EVLW have been presented. The method appears to function well over the entire range of edema seen , and to be minimally dependent on cardiac output. Thermal-indicator loss does not seem to be a significant problem and does not impair the accuracy of this method. Out results are consistent with earlier works in the field in identifying significant differences between the isotopic EVLW methods and the thermal-dye method, and it seems likely that these differences are due to the much greater diffusion rate of the thermal indicator.

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The use of a mid-infrared transmitting fiber to carry the infrared beam of an FT-IR spectrometer outside of the optical bench is reported. In addition it is demonstrated that it is possible to analyze samples using the fiber as an internal reflection element. The fiber is covered with a protective coating which can be removed for a short region, to allow contact with the sample over a controlled length. Two examples of the use of an optical fiber for remote sampling are discussed. The first shows that a spectrum of a liquid sample (2-butanone) can be easily measured, and the second shows how a fiber can be used to monitor the progress of curing reactions in thermoset composite materials. The spectrum of a resin was recorded before the cure by embedding the optical fiber in the graphite fiber/polyimide matrix resin prepreg, and then the progress of the cure was monitored during the curing process. This type of remote sampling shows tremendous potential for opening totally new areas of usage for FT-IR spectrometry, including the studies of hazardous materials, enclosed reactions, and processes that do not allow samples to be taken inside the spectrometer.