General Information Related To Spirometers

By Tonia Merritt


In the medical field, many professionals utilize spirometers. These special machines are primarily employed for the purpose of checking air volume. That is, the total volume of air that is exhaled and inhaled through the lungs of a person. The apparatus is also designed to record the total of air, and the rate, breathed in a specific duration of time. It provides respiration rates and is also known as a pressure transducer.


This machine is applied for a variety of different tests in the medical world, including Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs. This is a preliminary exam that is used to check overall health of lungs. There are various diseases of the organ that are ruled out solely based on test results, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Spirometers can also be utilized to check the impact of disease treatments and prescriptions.

The first of such structures was created during the 1900s. It was a dry-bellowed wedge version designed by Brodie TG. Prior to this development, unsuccessful attempts had been made to create a device that measure lung volume. Since this invention in 1902, the device has improved in many respects and is now highly effective. Other people who were involved in the development of this apparatus include DuBois AB, Woestijine JP and Compton SD.

There are multiple versions of spirometers available for use. Often they differ the most in the results that they offer. Full electronic, peak flow, windmill, whole body plethysmograph, pneumotachometer, incentive meter and tilt-compensated are just some examples of the different models used in modern times.

When matched against other modern versions, the whole body plethysmograph is recognized as the most accurate when it comes to producing volume measurements. This model is used while patients are placed in small areas. The pneumotachometer can be used to detect the difference in pressure over fine mesh. As a result, it is typically used to assess the rate of gas flow too.

The full electronic types, and other electronic versions, do not need or having moving parts or fine meshes. Instead, they work by computing airflow rates based on channels. This technique renders the added parts useless. Furthermore, no equipment or techniques are applied to measure airflow speed.

The incentive models are used to repair lung function. Peak flow kinds are best for measuring the ability of a person to exhale, breath air out of their lungs. Windmill meters, also known as spiropet, are typically employed to calculate the forced vital capacity. However, they do not utilize water and may feature measurements from one to several mL. Tilt-compensated versions are considered newer and can be used horizontally while measurements are taken.

Spirometers are devices utilized in the health care field to measure the respiratory function of human lungs. There are a variety of models that are used, each providing its own features and results. In general, the devices are used when measuring volume of air inhaled or exhaled. This apparatus is often used for PFTs. The first invention of the meter was during the nineteenth century, but attempts to create a similar device precede that original device.



About the Author:



Share on Google Plus
    Blogger Comment
    Facebook Comment

See Also