The Datospir Micro C spirometer is a revolutionary touch screen instrument that offers many easy to use features to facilitate lung function testing in your practice.
The Datospir Micro C comes with software included allowing it to be connected to your office PC or even direct to printer for convenient sharing of results.
A turbine transducer means that the Datospir Micro C can be calibrated to ensure consistent accuracy in results while keeping ongoing costs for mouthpieces low.
DATOSPIR Micro C is a small portable spirometer with the latest technological advances on the market. The equipment has different configurations for use both in clinical mode and at home. Its connectivity capabilities consist of a USB port for connection to a PC or an external printer.
It can also be connected to other devices via Bluetooth technologies. It operates with a large number of parameters related to FVC, VC and MVV, and has a pulsioximetry (SpO2) option.
It has acoustic incentives for children and a data base of up to 1000 tests. The graphic touch screen (PDA type), makes it easy to use and among the most advanced spirometers on the market.
Spirometry
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Flow-Volume loop showing successful FVC maneuver. Positive values represent expiration, negative values represent inspiration. The trace moves clockwise for expiration followed by inspiration. (Note the FEV1 value is arbitrary in this graph and just shown for illustrative purposes; these values must be calculated as part of the procedure). |
Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is an important tool used for generating pneumotachographs which are helpful in assessing conditions such as asthma , pulmonary fibrosis , cystic fibrosis , and COPD .
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| Device for spirometry. The patient places his or her lips around the blue mouthpiece. The teeth go between the nubs and the shield, and the lips go over the shield. A noseclip guarantees that breath will flow only through the mouth. |
The spirometry test is performed using a device called a spirometer, which comes in several different varieties. Most spirometers display the following graphs, called spirograms:
- a volume-time curve, showing volume (liters) along the Y-axis and time (seconds) along the X-axis
- a flow-volume loop, which graphically depicts the rate of airflow on the Y-axis and the total volume inspired or expired on the X-axis
Procedure
The basic forced volume vital capacity (FVC) test varies slightly depending on the equipment used.
Generally, the patient is asked to take the deepest breath they can, and then exhale into the sensor as hard as possible, for as long as possible, preferrably at least 6 seconds. It is sometimes directly followed by a rapid inhalation (inspiration), in particular when assessing possible upper airway obstruction. Sometimes, the test will be preceded by a period of quiet breathing in and out from the sensor (tidal volume), or the rapid breath in (forced inspiratory part) will come before the forced exhalation.
During the test, soft nose clips may be used to prevent air escaping through the nose. Filter mouthpieces may be used to prevent the spread of microorganisms, particularly for inspiratory maneuvers.
Limitations of test
The maneuver is highly dependent on patient cooperation and effort, and is normally repeated at least three times to ensure reproducibility. Since results are dependent on patient cooperation, FEV1* and FVC can only be underestimated, never overestimated.(*FEV1 can be overestimated in people with some diseases - a softer blow can reduce the spasm or collapse of lung tissue to elevate the measure
Due to the patient cooperation required, spirometry can only be used on children old enough to comprehend and follow the instructions given (6 years old or more), and only on patients who are able to understand and follow instructions - thus, this test is not suitable for patients who are unconscious, heavily sedated, or have limitations that would interfere with vigorous respiratory efforts. Other types of lung function tests are available for infants and unconscious persons.
Another major limitation is the fact that many intermittent or mild asthmatics have normal spirometry between acute exacerbation, limiting spirometry's usefulness as a diagnostic. It is more useful as a monitoring tool: a sudden decrease in FEV1 or other spirometric measure in the same patient can signal worsening control, even if the raw value is still normal. Patients are encouraged to record their personal best measures.
Related tests
Spirometry can also be part of a bronchial challenge test, used to determine bronchial hyperresponsiveness to either rigorous exercise, inhalation of cold/dry air, or with a pharmaceutical agent such as methacholine or histamine.
Sometimes, to assess the reversibility of a particular condition, a bronchodilator is administered before performing another round of tests for comparison. This is commonly referred to as a reversibility test, or a post bronchodilator test (Post BD), and is an important part in diagnosing asthma versus COPD.
