83 results about "Spirometer" patented technology

A spirometer is provided which has an air flow path comprising a mouthpiece, filter (such as an air filter or biostatic filter), and an air pathway in which a multiblade transparent windmill rotor rotates when air travels through same. Tips of the rotor are used to detect the rate of rotation providing a train of pulses linearly proportional to the volume of air flowing through the cylindrical air path.

An inhaler use monitoring system includes a tracker module adaptable to be secured to a variety of inhalers and having an activation sensor for sensing use of the inhaler, an internal memory for storing inhaler data, and a communications component for forwarding the stored usage data to a processor for analyzing the data. The system then provides the user with incentives, e.g., redeemable award points, for usage of the inhaler in a desired manner. The tracking module can accommodate both controller and rescue inhalers. Optionally, the system may also collect lung function data, e.g., from a spirometer, and can then process all of controller inhaler data, rescue inhaler data and lung function data, to generate alerts and other messages e.g., redeemable award points

A portable hand-held spirometer is disclosed for use in taking respiratory tests and storing and displaying test results. The configuration of the spirometer includes handgrips that are positioned to ensure that the user is properly positioned to provide maximum breathing required for valid test results to be obtained. The spirometer also includes a progressively illuminated indicator that can be viewed by the user during a test to provide an indication in real-time to the user of the expected / desired duration of the exhalation or inhalation test. The indicator is completely illuminated only when the measured accumulated volume of air passing through the spirometer equals a predicted volume determined based on the age, gender, height, weight and ethnicity of the user stored in the spirometer. The structures and arrangement of a turbine assembly and sensors is also disclosed. Further, a method of receiving, storing and displaying information on the spirometer via a color touch screen display is also disclosed.

A spirometer coupled to a manual resuscitator. An air tube in the spirometer has a converging section, a laminar flow section and a pressure recovery section. A microcontroller and a display of expiratory flow parameters is provided.

An improved non-invasive respiration monitor combines signals from a spirometer and laser chest displacement sensor to reduce signal error. The improved respirations signal can be used for position correction in radiation therapy and imaging applications and can be displayed to a user in breath control techniques.

A spirometer for measuring fluid flow, particularly associated with exhalation of respiratory patients. The spirometer of this invention preferably has a fluidic oscillator wherein the fluid oscillates within a chamber of the fluidic oscillator. An oscillation frequency of the fluid flow within the chamber is correlated to a flow rate. A computer is used to process input data, such as data representing frequency of the oscillatory flow within the chamber, to a flow rate passing through the spirometer. The spirometer of this invention may have no moving parts, which results in the need for only a design calibration and no periodic calibrations throughout use of the spirometer.

New applications of unidirectional airflow sensing in devices which measure inspiratory airflow and bidirectional airflow are provided. Such devices can be used for administration of a medication via inhalation, in spirometers and in devices which measure and monitor respiratory ventilation.

A method is disclosed for motivating a user of a spirometry system 20 having a display screen 12, an air-tube 22, a flow measurement sensor 24 operatively associated with the air-tube 22, a display screen 26, and an associated processor 30. A motivational animation is displayed on the display screen 12 having a first aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined peak flow rate to a goal value therefor and having a second aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined total flow volume to a goal value therefor. The processor 30 repeatedly updates the motivational animation during the period of use of the spirometer to reflect the degree of achievement of both of the goal values by the user.

The present invention provides an inhaler capable of measuring lung function, feeding back the measurements, and administering medicine suitable for a lung condition in a single use. The inhaler 1 of the present invention includes a lung function measuring unit 2 having a spirometer for measuring lung function, and, using a computing unit 5, compares the lung function measurements with a medication pattern table stored in a storage unit 7 and determines a disease severity and a diseased region of the lung. Based on the determination results, the computing unit further selects types and particle diameters of medicines suitable for the lung condition, and controls an ejection unit 3 including a plurality of ejection portions to eject the medicines required for treatment in a single use.

The invention discloses an intelligent massage chair which is provided with a seat, a massage mechanism and a control unit, wherein various massage modes are formed by the massage mechanism. The intelligent massage chair is characterized in that a cardiotachometer, a sphygmomanometer and a spirometer are arranged on the seat, a preset database with the combination of the data of the heart rate, the blood pressure and the vital capacity is formed in the control unit, each group of data in the database is correspondingly matched with the massage modes, and the corresponding groups of data in the database are automatically matched by the control unit according to the measured heart rate, the measured blood pressure and the measured vital capacity so as to select the corresponding massage modes. According to the massage chair disclosed by the invention, the proper massage modes are automatically selected according to the constitutions of patients, so that the massage chair has a proper treatment effect to users.

Non invasive measurement of infant lung function during unsedated sleep is achieved by a plethysmograph which comprises of a rigid acrylic box (10) with integral water sealed spirometer (11) and a vacuum-actuated neck seal (20) allowing "head out" monitoring. The neck seal comprises particulate material entrapped in the space between two layers of rubber, which become rigid when a vacuum is applied to the space. Tidal volume, respiratory rate and changes in functional residual capacity (FRC) are able to be recorded during unsedated REM and NREM sleep whilst monitoring with conventional polysomnographic methods. The head out configuration allows additional instrumentation to be used, avoids facial stimulation and allows unimpeded access to the upper airway.

A monitoring system for inhalers includes a tracker module configured to be secured to a variety of inhalers, including both controller and rescue inhalers. The tracker module has a flexible shell that fastens around an inhaler and an activation sensor for sensing use of the inhaler, an internal memory for storing inhaler use data, and a communication component for forwarding the stored usage data to a processor for analyzing the data. The activation sensor is flexibly connected to the flexible shell with a flexible cable and is placed over the end of the inhaler canister. The processor is located in a local station separate from the tracker module but wirelessly synchronized therewith. In one embodiment, the system also collects lung function data, e.g., from a spirometer, and then processes all of the controller inhaler data, the rescue inhaler data, and the lung function data, to generate alerts and other messages.

An Internet-based disease monitoring system may include a network-based disease sensor device, which is coupled to a sensor, such as a spirometer. A remote server may be coupled to the network-based disease sensor device to provide analysis of input signals from the sensor. The remote server may be able to provide various services for grouping or handling functions relating to such input signals. A service may provide the ability to aggregate input signals from multiple sensors coupled to sensor devices and provide predictive modeling or statistical analysis, which may then be used to adjust future input signals. A service may also contain instructions how to handle billing based on usage of the network-based disease sensor device.

A system for measuring spirometric flow rate using a microphone and a mobile computer device connected to or integrated with the microphone. The mobile computer device may include a processor and storage. The storage may be operatively connectible, e.g over a network, to a computer system used by a practitioner. The system has a transducer adapted for converting spirometric flow rate into an audible signal with an audio frequency characteristic of the spirometric flow rate. The microphone is external to the transducer and may be adapted to detect the audible signal having an audio frequency and to convert the audible signal to a corresponding electrical signal having the audio frequency. The audio frequency may be characteristic of a peak expiratory flow rate and the output result is characteristic of the peak expiratory flow rate.

The invention entails a mouthpiece for use in a spirometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the mouthpiece comprises a tube forming a conduit between an upstream end and a substantially closed downstream end. An opening is formed through the tube and is proximate to the downstream end of the tube. The mouthpiece also comprises a resistive element that is positioned substantially across the tube opening. In addition, the mouthpiece comprises an outer sleeve that is slide along the exterior of the tube. The outer sleeve may be slid along the tube thereby covering portions of the tube opening in varying amounts. Thus, the outer sleeve may be slid into one position wherein the tube opening is uncovered. The outer sleeve may then be advanced into a closed position wherein the tube opening is substantially sealed. Many partially closed positions exist between the open and closed positions thereby allowing for variable amounts of resistance to air flow. To clearly indicate to the user how far the outer sleeve has been advanced, markings may be made on the outer sleeve or tube indicating, for example, the first tube opening is fifty percent occluded.

A spirometer for measuring fluid flow, particularly associated with exhalation of respiratory patients. The spirometer of this invention preferably has a fluidic oscillator wherein the fluid oscillates within a chamber of the fluidic oscillator. An oscillation frequency of the fluid flow within the chamber is correlated to a flow rate. A computer is used to process input data, such as data representing frequency of the oscillatory flow within the chamber, to a flow rate passing through the spirometer. The spirometer of this invention may have no moving parts, which results in the need for only a design calibration and no periodic calibrations throughout use of the spirometer.

A medical appliance in the form of a pliable mouth piece in the shape of a funnel having a cylindrical section attached thereto. The pliable mouth piece is made of a robo rubber. An additional rigid tube may be inserted into the cylindrical section. The pliable appliance may be used with patients having a stoma to apply air by blowing into the mouth piece. The mouth piece may also be a part of a spirometer to test the lung capacity of people. The medical appliance may be used in patients who had a tracheotomy and by EMS technicians who perform a tracheotomy in an emergency.

A self-actuated cylinder comprising a cylinder housing comprising electro-magnetic force generating means to generate electro-magnetic forces, and a piston within the cylinder housing, wherein the electro-magnetic forces act directly on the piston to displace the piston within the cylinder housing. The self-actuated cylinder can be used as an oscillation spirometer to determine air flow, an input impedance or Forced Oscillation pulmonary mechanics.

The invention provides a toy that functions to propel a projectile through a tube at someone or something by exerting sufficient air pressure from the user's lungs through the tube. This action has the effect of challenging and building the user's respiratory system, including the respiratory musculature and lung capacity, through the repeated use of the toy.

The invention relates to a spirometer (1) comprising a MEMS-based thermal fluid flow sensor (13, 13.1, 13.2) for generating a signal in response to a fluid flow generated during inhalation or exhalation; and a microcontroller (14) for calculating the fluid flow from the signal generated by the flow sensor (13, 13.1, 13.2). The spirometer (1) may be connected to other devices, such as a smartphone or a personal computer or any other computing unit which is adapted to collect, store, analyse, exchange and / or display data. The invention further describes the use of the spirometer (1) in measuring a user's lung performance and / or monitoring it over time. Furthermore, the spirometer (1) may be provided in a system together with an air quality measurement device for determining the air quality at a location of interest; and a computing unit for collecting, analysing and correlating the user's lung performance data obtained from the spirometer (1) with the air quality data, and optionally geolocalisation data of said location.

A spirometer for correlating test results with other user date to indicate a relationship, said spirometer comprising: (a) a processor; (b) memory operatively connected to said processor and configured with instruction to instruct the processor to perform the following steps: (i) recording spirometer results of a user; (ii) correlating said results with user data, said user data comprising at least one of a medication log, a medical diary, a baseline performance for said user provided by a healthcare provider, or other results from other testing devices; and (iii) indicating a relationship between said results and said user data.

The present invention provides an inhaler capable of measuring lung function, feeding back the measurements, and administering medicine suitable for a lung condition in a single use. The inhaler 1 ofthe present invention includes a lung function measuring unit 2 having a spirometer for measuring lung function, and, using a computing unit 5, compares the lung function measurements with a medication pattern table stored in a storage unit 7 and determines a disease severity and a diseased region of the lung. Based on the determination results, the computing unit further selects types and particle diameters of medicines suitable for the lung condition, and controls an ejection unit 3 including a plurality of ejection portions to eject the medicines required for treatment in a single use.

The invention discloses a breathing simulator for calibrating a spirometer. The breathing simulator comprises an axially arranged cylinder body which has a sleeve structure with two axially open ends; a front end cover which is used for covering one open end of the cylinder body and is provided with a gas outlet; a rear end cover which is used for covering the other end of the cylinder body and is provided with gas vents; a piston which is movably arranged inside the cylinder body and the internal space of the cylinder body is divided into a left air chamber and a right air chamber by the piston in the axial direction; a screw which is axially arranged, wherein one end of the screw passes through the rear end cover and is connected with the piston; a stop block which is installed outside the cylinder body and is provided with a screwed hole coaxially with the screw, wherein the screw and the screwed hole are connected in a screw-thread fit mode; and a servo driving mechanism which is used for driving the screw to move axially. The additionally installed gas vents on the rear end cover allow the piston to move back and forth with less force. The screw is adopted for driving the piston to move so that transmission is more accurate and calibration precision is effectively increased. The stop block is connected with the screw in a screw-thread fit mode so that the screw is effectively guided and the screw is prevented from inclining.

A respiratory system and method comprise a tracker module adaptable to be secured to a variety of inhalers, the tracker module sensing activation of the medication canister of the inhaler for delivery of medication to a user. The tracker module also senses the rate of inhalation air flow of the user when inhaling medication for determination of proper inhaler use. Upstream and downstream sensors provide flow information to determine quality of the inhalation. A flow sensor is an integral part of the tracking module and can be used on multiple inhalers. Other sensors are provided that monitor user presence at the inhaler, user technique in using the inhaler, and the attitude of the inhaler when it was used. Low power devices are used to conserve battery power. A spirometer provides user lung function data.

A turbine spirometer comprises a breathing tube into which is subject is to breath and a vane to be driven by the subject's breath. The breathing tube has a first axis A-A at its opening in the direction of air flow and the vane rotates about a second axis B-B. The first A-A and second B-B axes are inclined to one another at angle of around 100 degrees such that in use the axis of rotation B-B is substantially vertical.

A combination spirometer and PEP breathing exercise device is described. The device includes a spirometer with a volumetric air chamber having an atmospheric opening, an exhaust port, and an indicator of inhalation rate or volume; a breathing tube having a proximal end in communication with the exhaust port, a distal end with a mouthpiece, and a conduit between the proximal and distal ends; a one-way check valve adjacent the exhaust port allowing air to flow from the spirometer through the breathing tube to the mouthpiece, but preventing air from being exhausted through the spirometer; and a PEP valve in communication with the breathing conduit, whereby expiration of air from the mouthpiece into the breathing tube above a preset pressure causes the valve to oscillate.

A spirometer for measuring fluid flow, particularly associated with exhalation of respiratory patients. The spirometer of this invention preferably has a fluidic oscillator wherein the fluid oscillates within a chamber of the fluidic oscillator. An oscillation frequency of the fluid flow within the chamber is correlated to a flow rate. A computer is used to process input data, such as data representing frequency of the oscillatory flow within the chamber, to a flow rate passing through the spirometer. The spirometer of this invention may have no moving parts, which results in the need for only a design calibration and no periodic calibrations throughout use of the spirometer.