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Low-cost, open-source spirometer

Project Overview

The objective of this project, started by David Van Sickle in January 2009, is to develop an open source, low cost, and clinically functional spirometer that measures lung flows and volumes. We envision a first generation device that connects to a computer via a USB port and guides and coaches patients through the testing using digital audiovisual clips.

As the test is performed, a combination of client and server software would graphically display flow and volume data, monitor and evaluate the quality of the maneuver, and instruct the subject when his/her performance needs to be corrected. The software would also carry out some rudimentary analysis and interpretation using algorithms available from the American Thoracic Society.

The idea is to develop a tool that would be widely affordable and would standardize pulmonary function measurements by delivering the same instruction and coaching across sites for the first time.

Visit our Spring 2009 , Summer 2009 , and Fall 2009 pages and openspirometry.org for details of previous accomplishments

Team Picture

Andrew Bremer, Jeremy Glynn, Jeremy Schaefer, Andrew Dias
Andrew Bremer, Jeremy Glynn, Jeremy Schaefer, Andrew Dias

Images

Features included real-time flow-time and volume-time graphs, entering patient demographic information to predict spirometric parameters, a motivational real-time boat animation, and display of recorded spirometric values next to predicted ones. The interface also provides a button to calibrate the spirometer after plunges from a 3-L syringe have been recorded.
Features included real-time flow-time and volume-time graphs, entering patient demographic information to predict spirometric parameters, a motivational real-time boat animation, and display of recorded spirometric values next to predicted ones. The interface also provides a button to calibrate the spirometer after plunges from a 3-L syringe have been recorded.
Accuracy of the spirometer measuring FEV1 for thirty trials is shown relative to a Jones syringe below (dotted lines show 10% accuracy). While the accuracy of our spirometer does not meet stringent ATS standards (3% accuracy for every maneuver), it possesses more features than any other similarly priced spirometry instrument and has the potential to become more accurate with more refined manufacturing methods.
Accuracy of the spirometer measuring FEV1 for thirty trials is shown relative to a Jones syringe below (dotted lines show 10% accuracy). While the accuracy of our spirometer does not meet stringent ATS standards (3% accuracy for every maneuver), it possesses more features than any other similarly priced spirometry instrument and has the potential to become more accurate with more refined manufacturing methods.

Files

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Jeremy Glynn - Team Leader
  • Jeremy Schaefer - Communicator
  • Andrew Bremer - BSAC
  • Andrew Dias - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Mitchell Tyler - Advisor
  • David Van Sickle - Client

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