Basics To Know About 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 type of device is employed for numerous medical tests, including PFTs, also called Pulmonary Function Tests. This preliminary exam is done to test the health of the lungs. There are numerous diseases of this organ that can be ruled out based on the results of this test, including bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. Spirometers are also used to identify the effects that prescriptions and disease care have on lungs.

The first unit of this type was developed in the 1900s. The creator of this dry-bellowed wedge device was Brodie TG. Before this invention by Brodie, other attempts had been made to develop a structure that was able to check the volume of lungs. Since the wedge model invented in 1902, this type of machine has evolved and improved in many ways. It is now more effective than ever. Others who contributed to the development of this structure: Compton SD, Woestijine JP and DuBois AB.

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 compared to other modern versions on the market, the whole body plethysmograph is known as the highest in accuracy of volume measurements. This type is used on people who are placed in a small space. The pneumotachometer is able to detect difference in pressure. This is possible via fine mesh. Pneumotachometers are also employed to measure the gas flow rates.

Full electronic kinds do not require any moving parts or fine meshes in their operation. They instead work through computing the airflow rates by channels. This method makes the added meshes and parts unnecessary. Likewise, there are no techniques or equipment used to measure speed of airflow.

Incentive models are mostly used to repair function of lungs. Peak flow versions are good for measuring ability of one to breath the air out, or exhale. Windmill, also called spiropet, meters are usually applied to measure forced vital capacity. Still, they do not use water. Tilt-compensated styles are more modern and can be in a horizontal position when measurements are being recorded.

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.




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