Spirometers are part of the many medical tools that are used in medicine to specifically identify problems arising from breathing. They are used to record the volume of air while breathing and the rate at which air flows. This enables them to be helpful in the diagnosis of respiratory disease and in the monitoring of such patients. Discussed here are the major types of these tools.
It is worth noting however that the use of the equipments date back from 200 A. D. When a Greek doctor first came up with the idea of the need to measure air volume in lungs to treat patients with respiratory diseases. His experiment used the human bladder in assessing his study. Since then the idea has been built upon and through the aid of advancing technology into the present day sophisticated devices.
A plethysmograph is one type used to measure changes in volume within a specific organ or even the whole body usually through detecting the amount of blood or air reaching the specified object. Pulmonary plethysmographs are mostly used in the measuring of functional residual capacity in the lungs. This refers to the volume in the lungs when the muscles used in breathing are relaxed after a normal expiration. The use of this device involves a patient entering a small enclosed space from which the test is done.
The Pneumotachometer is another type of these devices that measures flow rate and volume of gases by using a fine mesh that is able to determine pressure difference between the lung and the outside. The major advantage of this one is that the person undertaking the test continues to breathe normal fresh air.
An incentive type is a very important and life saving device that in addition to measure the speed of flow and lung volume, it has the ability to support lung function. It is mainly used in very sick patient especially after surgery involving the chest. It helps prevent fluid from accumulating in the lungs.
Peak expiratory types of these devices are small in size and can be held by the hand by the operator. This device is very useful in measuring the speed of outflow of air during expiration. It can help diagnose obstructive conditions of the lungs or monitor progress of disease if a patient is on treatment.
The electric spirometers measure air as it passes through disposable air channels. The channels are able to detect the rate of air passing through them by using ultrasonic transducers that are sensitive to pressure changes within the channels. They are very accurate and efficient in their reading with few error chances because it is automatic. Due to the disposable channels, it is also good for hygiene reasons.
A windmill-type of these devices also called a spiropet is mostly used to determine forced vital capacity. It has the ability to measure large volumes; it uses the principles of water displacement to determine volume. While in use, it must be placed in a horizontal position to ensure rotating disks are in place.
The last type in these subtypes of spirometers is the Tilt-compensated type which is among the latest to be invented. It has been designed such that is has the ability to be tilted and adjusted so as to fit the position of the patient. It thus has the advantage of flexibility.
It is worth noting however that the use of the equipments date back from 200 A. D. When a Greek doctor first came up with the idea of the need to measure air volume in lungs to treat patients with respiratory diseases. His experiment used the human bladder in assessing his study. Since then the idea has been built upon and through the aid of advancing technology into the present day sophisticated devices.
A plethysmograph is one type used to measure changes in volume within a specific organ or even the whole body usually through detecting the amount of blood or air reaching the specified object. Pulmonary plethysmographs are mostly used in the measuring of functional residual capacity in the lungs. This refers to the volume in the lungs when the muscles used in breathing are relaxed after a normal expiration. The use of this device involves a patient entering a small enclosed space from which the test is done.
The Pneumotachometer is another type of these devices that measures flow rate and volume of gases by using a fine mesh that is able to determine pressure difference between the lung and the outside. The major advantage of this one is that the person undertaking the test continues to breathe normal fresh air.
An incentive type is a very important and life saving device that in addition to measure the speed of flow and lung volume, it has the ability to support lung function. It is mainly used in very sick patient especially after surgery involving the chest. It helps prevent fluid from accumulating in the lungs.
Peak expiratory types of these devices are small in size and can be held by the hand by the operator. This device is very useful in measuring the speed of outflow of air during expiration. It can help diagnose obstructive conditions of the lungs or monitor progress of disease if a patient is on treatment.
The electric spirometers measure air as it passes through disposable air channels. The channels are able to detect the rate of air passing through them by using ultrasonic transducers that are sensitive to pressure changes within the channels. They are very accurate and efficient in their reading with few error chances because it is automatic. Due to the disposable channels, it is also good for hygiene reasons.
A windmill-type of these devices also called a spiropet is mostly used to determine forced vital capacity. It has the ability to measure large volumes; it uses the principles of water displacement to determine volume. While in use, it must be placed in a horizontal position to ensure rotating disks are in place.
The last type in these subtypes of spirometers is the Tilt-compensated type which is among the latest to be invented. It has been designed such that is has the ability to be tilted and adjusted so as to fit the position of the patient. It thus has the advantage of flexibility.
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