• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise

Sensor Tips

Sensor Product News, Tips, and learning resources for the Design Engineering Professional.

  • Motion Sensing
  • Vision systems
    • Smart cameras
    • Vision software
    • Lighting
    • Optics
  • Pressure
  • Speed
  • Temperature
  • Suppliers
  • Video
    • EE Videos
    • Teardown Videos
  • EE Learning Center
    • Design Guides
    • Tech Toolboxes

What is a spirometer?

June 20, 2018 By Randy Frank

A spirometer is used to make the most common of pulmonary function tests (PFTs). It is a respiratory flowmeter that determines how well the lungs are working by measuring the amount of inhaled air, amount of exhaled air and how quickly it is exhaled. Used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions, there are several terms defined in dynamic spirometer measurements. Three of the most common terms that are also used to rate commercially available spirometers are:

  • Forced vital capacity (FVC) – the largest amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after breathing in as deeply as possible
  • Forced expiratory volume (FEV) – how much air is forced from the lungs in one second and
  • Peak expiratory flow (PEF) – the highest forced expiratory flow measured with a peak flow meter

Depending on the application requirements, from hospital to home consumer use, spirometer measurements are made using a variety of flow measurement techniques including:

  • Counting/paddle wheel
  • Pressure sensor (to calculate flow)
  • Stator/rotor

A consumer-oriented spirometer, such as the Vitalograph asma-1, measures PEF and FEV1 and  the readings may be integrated with smart phone or tablet for ePRO data collection. It uses the stator/rotor mass flow meter principle, has a flow / volume range (PEF) of 25 to 840 L/min BTPS (body temperature, ambient pressure, saturated with water vapor) and FEV1 from 0 to 9.99 L BTPS.Vitalograph Asma-1 Electronic Asthma Monitor. Image courtesy of Medical Device Depot.

After surgery, a potentially disposable mechanical incentive spirometer is used by patients to keep their lungs clear and help keep their lungs active during the recovery process.

Incentive Spirometer. Image courtesy of Cleveland Clinic.

Filed Under: Featured, Flow, Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) Tagged With: Cleveland Clinic, Medical Device Depot, Vitalograph

Primary Sidebar

Featured Contributions

Integrating MEMS technology into next-gen vehicle safety features

Fire prevention through the Internet

Beyond the drivetrain: sensor innovation in automotive

Sensors in American football can help the game

Select and integrate sensors into IoT devices

More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“sensor
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • Innovus Scan Reorder deletes Scan In Pad
  • LLC resonant converter clarification
  • The Analog Gods Hate Me
  • Step Up Push Pull Transformer design / construction
  • Pre amp and other circuits

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • Home Smoke detectors are all Beeping Batteries are not dead.???
  • How to make string LEDs?
  • My Advanced Realistic Humanoid Robots Project
  • PIC KIT 3 not able to program dsPIC
  • Display TFT ST7789 (OshonSoft Basic).

EE ENGINEERING TRAINING DAYS

engineering
“bills

RSS Featured White Papers

  • 4D Imaging Radar: Sensor Supremacy For Sustained L2+ Vehicle Enablement
  • Amphenol RF solutions enable the RF & video signal chains in industrial robots
  • Implementing Position Sensors for Hazardous Areas & Safety

DesignFast

Component Selection Made Simple.

Try it Today
design fast globle

Footer

EE WORLD ONLINE NETWORK

  • 5G Technology World
  • EE World Online
  • Engineers Garage
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDA Board Forums
  • Electro Tech Online Forums
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

SENSOR TIPS

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy