Spirometry
Measuring Lung Performance with
Precision and Innovation
Spirometers measure lung function, specifically how much air a person can inhale and exhale and how quickly they can exhale. This process, known as spirometry, is a critical tool in diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions. By providing detailed measurements of lung volume and flow rates, spirometry allows healthcare providers to assess the overall health of a patient’s lungs and detect early signs of respiratory diseases.
Spirometry is commonly used to diagnose conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other obstructive or restrictive lung diseases. It can also be used to monitor patients with known respiratory conditions, tracking the effectiveness of treatment and disease progression. In addition to lung diseases, spirometry is often part of routine health checks for individuals exposed to occupational hazards like dust, smoke, or chemical fumes, which can lead to long-term lung damage.
Handheld spirometers are portable and easy to use, making them ideal for quick screenings and home monitoring. Patients with chronic conditions like asthma typically use them to track their lung function.
Desktop spirometers are more advanced, offering higher precision and a broader range of measurements. These devices are usually used in clinical settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and pulmonary function laboratories, where comprehensive lung function testing is required. Additionally, spirometry is essential in preoperative assessments, ensuring a patient’s lungs are strong enough to undergo surgery.
Spirometers are vital tools in preventive and diagnostic healthcare because they provide accurate and reliable data on lung capacity and function. They play a crucial role in detecting respiratory issues early and improving the management of chronic conditions, thereby enhancing patient care.
Unique Capabilities for Spirometry
The NimbleSense architecture was designed to maximize performance while also being flexible enough to easily insert application-specific capabilities. The result is a pressure sensor architecture with a very clear signal and practically no noise, leading to incredible accuracy, TEB and long-term stability. Specific to spirometers and FOT devices, we have implemented these additional capabilities:
Z-Track™ auto zero technology
Eliminates the need for calibration between readings as it virtually eliminates zero drift by maintaining minimal zero-point deviation with consistent results regardless of elapsed time
Position insensitivity
Maintains consistent and highly accurate handheld readings regardless of movement or the physical orientation of the spirometry device; rated with a positional sensitivity to within 0.25 pascal
Fast warm-up and response time
Erases warm-up time concerns, as the device is ready in just 60 milliseconds; offers update rates as fast as 2 milliseconds to ensure the most accurate readings
Multi-Range™ technology
A single device can accommodate up to four different pressure ranges, enabling one spirometer to support a wide range of patients from infants to adults
Advanced digital filtering
Multi-order filter that leverages advanced filtering capabilities at the front end to eradicate critical noise caused by fans or other sources before they can impact system performance
Superior’s NimbleSense architecture enables us to develop unique products optimized for different markets. For the spirometry and FOT market, we have created the following products. Our architecture is very flexible, so we can also develop custom solutions for your application.
Resources
Product Brief
Technology Brochure
Catalog
Want to learn more? Read our spirometer and z-track blog posts.