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Learn About The Different Types Of Spirometers

By Dorothea Garner


Spirometers are part of medical equipments that are used by clinicians in identifying breathing problems in patients. They record the flow rate and volume of air in lungs and can therefore be used to diagnose lung diseases or other related conditions. There are several different subtypes of spirometers the majority of which will be explained here.

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.

The whole body plethysmograph is a device that is made to record volume of an organ or even the whole body. It does this because by detecting and measuring the amount of air or blood that is reaching a specific organ or the body in general. The pulmonary plethysmograph specifically determines functional residual volume which is air volume in the lungs after a normal expiration. The devices must be used in a small and enclosed space for accurate results.

The pneumotachometer spirometers measure the rate of flow of air entering or leaving the lungs by using a specially designed fine mesh. The mesh is sensitive to changes in pressure of air within the lungs and that from the outside environment. The main advantage with this form of instrument is that the patient is able to breathe natural air as normal as the experiment is being done.

An incentive spirometer is a special medical device because it has the added advantage of being able to help and improve lung functioning. It is mainly used for patients who have had surgeries involving the lungs or respiratory system in general and at times even cardiac operations. It is also useful after chest injuries and rib fracture to prevent fluid from building up.

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.

There are other called electric spirometers that are able to measure air passing through channels without the need of any moving parts or meshes. They measure speed of flow of air using ultrasonic transducers able to determine pressure differences in the channels. They are therefore very accurate and reliable because they are automated. These have fewer chances of errors and are better preferred for hygiene purposes because the channels are disposable.

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 groups of spirometers which are also the latest to be discovered are the tilt-compensated types. They have the advantage of being flexible enough to be tilted to accommodate the position of the person undertaking the procedure. They are mostly used in horizontal alignment.




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