Infrared Measurement of Carbon Dioxide in the Human Breath: “Breathe-Through” Devices from Tyndall to the Present Day

In Brief The ability to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) in the breath of a patient or capnometry, is one of the fundamental technological advances of modern medicine. I will chronicle the evolution and commercialization of mainstream capnometry based upon infrared measurement of CO2 in the breath using information from the historical record and personal interviews with many of the developers. IMPLICATIONS: A historical description of mainstream capnography development highlights the many developments that have occurred to provide the sophisticated, cost-effective technology we enjoy today.