Novel hot-wire based spirometry is highly accurate at low flow rates

• Main Authors: Perera Arshan, Friedrich Petra, Ledermüller Rosina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2018-09-01
• Series: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering
• Subjects: spirometry; ATS/ERS Spirometry Standards; pulmonary function testing; respiratory flow rate; turbine anemometer; ultrasound anemometer; differential pressure anemometer; hot-wire anemometer
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/cdbme.2018.4.issue-1/cdbme-2018-0123/cdbme-2018-0123.xml?format=INT
• ISSN: 2364-5504

Spirometry is the most commonly used pulmonary function test. The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate four commercially available spirometers with different measurement principles (turbine-, ultrasound-, differential pressure- and hot-wire anemometer). In particular, the measurement accuracy in breathing manoeuvres with low flow rates was investigated, which is highly relevant for paediatric use. Among the tested devices the hot-wire based spirometer showed the highest measurement accuracy at low flows whilst fully complying with the ATS/ERS standards.