A spirometer is an instrument that measures the volume of air entering and exiting the lungs. This ability is very important in that the flow rate gases entering the body at any given time can be determined. It also serves as a useful indicator in clinical medicine in assessing the health status of the respiratory system in an individual. By measuring the rate of air expired, it gives an idea of how clear the airways are and the elasticity of lung tissues which is key in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung diseases like asthma.
Currently there are many types of these apparatus that are specialized to establish different aspects of lung conditions. However these devices began long time ago in 200 A. D through the idea of a Greek doctor and philosopher called Claudius Galen who used a young boy and a human bladder. He observed that the volume of air in the bladder did not change when breathed into it. His idea was inconclusive according to his peers but it formed a foundation formed which further studies would be carried out.
Several years later, another researcher called Borelli in trying to measure the amount of air that can be inhaled in one breathe cycle used water displacement as the unit to estimate volume. The results of this experiment were impressive and acceptable so it was taken to be the basis of the new models. Over the years different researchers have modified and refined the initial models into more accurate and sophisticated devices that are better used in the diagnosis of both heart and lung diseases.
Over the years due to the increase in use of these tools and advancement in technology, many different types of spirometers have arose each being more specialized in special circumstances. The Whole body plethysmograph is one specialized type that is best and most accurate in the measuring of lung volumes compared to all other types. It forms the standard for which other types of devices can be compared to for accuracy. Here the patient is usually put in a small enclosed space where the test is then performed.
Another example is the pneumotachometer type which is designed to measure the flow rates of gases using a fine mesh. The mesh is designed such that it is sensitive enough to detect a difference in pressure in the outside environment from that inside the lungs. The advantage with this form of device is that the patients can breathe in fresh air as the experiment is being done.
There are also electronic types that do not need meshes or any moving parts. They use ultrasonic transducers to determine lung volumes. They are usually very accurate and reliable and less prone to errors because they are automated. They are also preferred today because they are hygienically sound by having disposable channels through which the measured air flows. Every patient can therefore have a different set of instruments to use separately.
Another special type of these instruments is the incentive design, this is preferred by most clinicians when they have ill patients because in addition to giving the values of the lung volumes, they are designed to assist the patient by improving the lung functioning. There is also a peak expiratory flow type that is used to measure the ability of a person to breathe out.
The latest type is the Tilt-compensated spirometer which can be held in a horizontal position as the process of measurement continues. This is more comfortable in that the patient takes the position that best suits him. There are many other types that are still not very well understood but generally the use of these devices has made the practice of medicine very efficient.
Currently there are many types of these apparatus that are specialized to establish different aspects of lung conditions. However these devices began long time ago in 200 A. D through the idea of a Greek doctor and philosopher called Claudius Galen who used a young boy and a human bladder. He observed that the volume of air in the bladder did not change when breathed into it. His idea was inconclusive according to his peers but it formed a foundation formed which further studies would be carried out.
Several years later, another researcher called Borelli in trying to measure the amount of air that can be inhaled in one breathe cycle used water displacement as the unit to estimate volume. The results of this experiment were impressive and acceptable so it was taken to be the basis of the new models. Over the years different researchers have modified and refined the initial models into more accurate and sophisticated devices that are better used in the diagnosis of both heart and lung diseases.
Over the years due to the increase in use of these tools and advancement in technology, many different types of spirometers have arose each being more specialized in special circumstances. The Whole body plethysmograph is one specialized type that is best and most accurate in the measuring of lung volumes compared to all other types. It forms the standard for which other types of devices can be compared to for accuracy. Here the patient is usually put in a small enclosed space where the test is then performed.
Another example is the pneumotachometer type which is designed to measure the flow rates of gases using a fine mesh. The mesh is designed such that it is sensitive enough to detect a difference in pressure in the outside environment from that inside the lungs. The advantage with this form of device is that the patients can breathe in fresh air as the experiment is being done.
There are also electronic types that do not need meshes or any moving parts. They use ultrasonic transducers to determine lung volumes. They are usually very accurate and reliable and less prone to errors because they are automated. They are also preferred today because they are hygienically sound by having disposable channels through which the measured air flows. Every patient can therefore have a different set of instruments to use separately.
Another special type of these instruments is the incentive design, this is preferred by most clinicians when they have ill patients because in addition to giving the values of the lung volumes, they are designed to assist the patient by improving the lung functioning. There is also a peak expiratory flow type that is used to measure the ability of a person to breathe out.
The latest type is the Tilt-compensated spirometer which can be held in a horizontal position as the process of measurement continues. This is more comfortable in that the patient takes the position that best suits him. There are many other types that are still not very well understood but generally the use of these devices has made the practice of medicine very efficient.
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