Finding the Right Spirometer For your Practice

Are you looking to purchase a spirometer? Is it difficult to find the right spirometer for your needs? Well, if you are considering yes to the questions you have come to the right place. Surely when looking to purchase a device you want something that is both cost effective and reliable. With features, cost, and brand all in consideration finding the right spirometer suitable for your practice may be difficult without information. Therein lies the purpose of this article to help make your life and practice better by doing the research for you and providing you the information you need to make an informed decision when purchasing a spirometer for your practice. 

What is Spirometry used for?

Spirometry is a common test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring the volume of the air you inhale and exhale. Spirometry is important because it is used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other conditions that affect breathing. Spirometry may also be ordered before a planned surgery to check if a patient’s lung function is adequate for the rigors of an operation. Additionally, spirometry may be used to screen for occupational-related lung disorders. 

Interpreting Spirometry 

Determining pulmonary function relies on differentiating the abnormal from the normal, despite the numerical precision newer spirometers can provide. Lung function measurements can vary 

both within and among groups of people, individuals, and spirometer devices. This is why it is important to make an informed decision before choosing a spirometer right for your practice. Lung capacity for instance may vary temporally, increasing and then decreasing in one person’s lifetime. Ideas about what is a ‘normal’ reading are based on the sources of variability, which can be left to professional interpretation. In modern day spirometers ‘ethnic adjustments’ have been effectively computer programmed into the device. Taking into account biological differences in lung capacities.

Types of Spirometers

Whole body plethysmograph 

This type of spirometer gives a more accurate measurement for the components of lung volumes as compared to other conventional spirometers. A person is enclosed in a small space when this measurement is taken.

Pneumotachometer

This spirometer measures the flow rate of gases by detecting pressure differences across fine mesh. One advantage of this spirometer is that the subject can breath fresh air during the experiment. 

Fully Electronic Spirometer 

Electronic spirometers have been developed that compute airflow rates in a channel without the need for mine meshes or moving parts. They operate by measuring the speed of the airflow with techniques such as ultrasonic transducers, or by measuring pressure difference in the channel. These spirometers have greater accuracy by eliminating the momentum and resistance errors associated with moving parts. They are also more hygenic due to fully disposable air channels. 

Incentive Spirometer 

This Spirometer is specifically designed to improve one’s lung function. 

Peak Flow Meter

This device is useful for measuring how well one’s lungs can expel air at variable breaths. 

Windmill-type Spirometer 

This type of spirometer is used especially for measuring forced vital capacity without using water. It has a broader measurement ranging from 1000ml to 7000ml. It is more portable and lighter than traditional water-tank type spirometers. 

Questions? Contact us! 

Let us help you save some time, contact our team of experts or check out Spirometers Direct collection of Spirometers. Oh and be sure to follow us on social media, for the latest news and updates!