The diploma thesis describes selected Vernier sensors and demonstrates their utilization in schools. The selection of digital tools is focused on medial area. In particular, the thesis deals with the ECG, spirometer, and dynamometer sensors. In the theoretical part, the history of the Vernier company is presented and the Vernier system and its benefits are discussed with special regard to the workflow from preparation phase to the process of measuring which can be used in classrooms. The research part consists of individual measuring experiments utilizing the sensors and their comparison with medical tools.

abstract: Spirometry is a type of pulmonary function test that measures the amount of air volume and the speed of air flow from a patient's breath in order to assess lung function. The goal of this project is to develop and validate a mobile spirometer technology based on a differential pressure sensor. The findings in this paper are used in a larger project that combines the features of a capnography device and a spirometer into a single mobile health unit known as the capno-spirometer. The following paper discusses the methods, experiments, and prototypes that were developed and tested in order to create a robust and accurate technology for all of the spirometry functions within the capno-spirometer. The differential pressure sensor is set up with one inlet measuring the pressure inside the spirometer tubing and the other inlet measuring the ambient pressure of the environment. The inlet measuring the inside of the tubing is very sensitive to its orientation and position with respect to the path of the air flow. It is found that taking a measurement from the center of the flow is 50% better than from the side wall. The sensor inlet is optimized at 37 mm from the mouthpiece inlet. The unit is calibrated by relating the maximum pressure sensor voltage signal to the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) taken during a series of spirometry tests. In conclusion, this relationship is best represented as a quadratic function and a calibration equation is computed to provide a flow rate given a voltage change. The flow rates are used to calculate the four main spirometry parameters: PEF, FVC, FEV1, and FER. These methods are then referenced with the results from a commercial spirometer for validation. After validation, the pressure-based spirometry technology is proven to be both robust and accurate. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2013

Orientadores: Antonio Augusto Fasolo Quevedo, Waldir Antonio Bizzo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T20:06:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ramos_AndredePaula_M.pdf: 3634888 bytes, checksum: 6ac215157ad6cab344d793b24a2bc1cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O espirômetro é um dispositivo que avalia a ventilação pulmonar. Este é um trabalho preliminar que propõe um sensor eletromecânico de fluxo com foco na aplicação biomédica de espirometria. O sensor consiste de um corpo rombudo, introduzido em um cano por um orifício, e um acelerômetro. A colisão das partículas do fluido contra o corpo rombudo gera vórtices, que por sua vez induzem vibrações no corpo. Forças de arrasto também estão presentes e tendem a movimentar o corpo. Os movimentos decorrentes do escoamento são captados pelo acelerômetro, que é posicionado na porção do corpo rombudo externa ao cano, evitando o contato do elemento eletrônico (acelerômetro) com o fluido, o que pode facilitar procedimentos de esterilização da luz do cano. Foram analisados corpos rombudos em forma de lâmina (com e sem massa adicional) e cilindro. O procedimento experimental consistiu no estabelecimento de seis regimes permanentes de entrada (vazão de ar) e na captura do sinal de resposta do sensor (nos três eixos). Foram coletadas 24 respostas do sensor para cada um dos regimes e posteriormente foram levantadas as curvas do sensor e realizadas análises estatísticas. Resultados significativos foram encontrados para o eixo do acelerômetro paralelo ao fluxo. Para a lâmina, o Valor Eficaz (RMS) do sinal foi proporcional à vazão com linearidade e coeficiente de correlação variando, respectivamente, de 19% e R2 = 0,99058, para o ensaio sem massa adicional, a até 8,4% e R2 = 0,9741, para o ensaio com massa adicional. O arrasto contínuo (valor médio da resposta) não guardou relação monotônica com o aumento da velocidade do ar. Já para o cilindro, o arrasto foi proporcional à vazão com altíssima linearidade e correlação (0,17% e R2 = 0,96347), mas o RMS do sinal não guardou relação monotônica com a vazão. Finalmente, embora sejam necessários mais estudos para utilizar o sensor proposto em equipamentos de espirometria, este trabalho demonstra que o sensor responde proporcionalmente às entradas (escoamento), dentro (de 0 a até 14 l/s) e fora da faixa (até 21 l/s) de operação do espirômetro com altos coeficientes de correlação e linearidade, além de respostas diferenciadas dadas diferentes entradas (vazões) comprovadas por ANOVA (valor de p < 10-15). / Abstract Spirometer is a device that evaluates pulmonary ventilation. This paper presents a preliminary study of a new electromechanical sensor, focused on the biomedical application of spirometry. The sensor is composed of a bluff body positioned inside a tube trough a hole, being a part of the body inside and another part outside of the tube, and an accelerometer positioned on the outside part. Within a fluid flow, the bluff body causes vortex shedding, and the vortexes induce vibrations on the body. Also, the viscous force of the flow drags the bluff body. Both movements are captured by the accelerometer and correlated with the flow. One important feature of this sensor is that the fluid does not contact any of the electronics, easing tube lumen sterilization procedures. Three types of bluff bodies were studied: two blades (with and without additional mass), and one cylinder. The experimental procedure consisted of establishing six different air flows and then capturing the accelerometer response in all of its three axes. Each of the collected signals from the accelerometer was divided in 24 parts, and these parts where analyzed through statistics; finally the mean response of the sensor was plotted. Best results were found in the accelerometer axis parallel to the air flow. In the blade tests, the RMS value of the AC component was proportional to the air flow, with linearity and correlation varying, respectively, from 19% and R2 = 0.99058 for the blade without mass, to 8.4% and R2 = 0.9741 for the blade with additional mass. It was observed that the mass addition reduced in a meaningful way the response variances. Yet the viscous force (DC value) did not respond in a monotonic way with the increase of air flow. On the other hand, the viscous force was the most expressive regarding the experiments with the cylinder (linearity of 0.17% and R2 = 0.96347), but the RMS value did not respond in a monotonic way. Finally, although further studies are needed to prove that the proposed sensor is efficient to be used in spirometry equipment, this study demonstrates that this sensor responds proportionally to the flow input, within (0 to 14 l/s) and without (up to 21 l/s) the spirometer operation range, with high correlation and linearity, as well as varying responses, given different inputs (flow), as verified by ANOVA test (p < 10-15). / Mestrado / Engenharia Biomedica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

More spirometric analysis needs to be performed in order to discover lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A mini spirometer can quickly and easily be used for screening. Today, a plethysmograph is used at the hospital in Helsingborg at the department of clinically physiology. However, they also have a mini spirometer, which is seldom used. By comparing the mini spirometer with the reference (the plethysmograph), results may indicate whether it could be possible to use the mini spirometer for screening or in other situations at the department when immediate and reliable information about lung function is needed. As a total of 45 patients participated in this study. All were examined with the mini spirometre after the conventional spirometry using a reversibility test. Of these there were 41 who were used in the study. After the conventional spirometry, they performed 4 - 7 forced expirations followed by inspirations. Theparameters investigated were FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory vital capacity in 1 second), and FEV1/FVC. For the conventional spirometry slow VC was used, according to clinical routine. With 95 % CI the mean ・} SD was calculated to be for FVC between the 2 methods -0,19 ・} 0,30 litre. For FEV1 the results were 0,04 ・} 0,13 litre and for FEV1/FVC 0,05 ・} 0,05 litre. Paired t-test resulted for FVC in t = 4,1. FEV1 gave t= 1,79 and for FEV1/FVC was t= 6,28. The t-values were compared with t critical= 2,03 which were taken from a table. A lower t- value than t critical suggests that the methods are comparable. When comparing the difference between the both methods, FEV1 agreed well, while FVC and FEV1/FVC was too large. / Fler spirometrier behover genomforas for att upptacka lungsjukdomar som t.ex. kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom (KOL). En minispirometer kan snabbt och enkelt screena for detta. Pa Helsingborgs lasarett pa avdelningen for klinisk fysiologi anvands rutinmassigt enbart en plethysmograf-spirometer, trots att det dar aven finns en minispirometer. Genom att undersoka hur noggrann minispirometern ar jamfort med den vanligtvis anvanda spirometern, kan den lilla varianten i vissa fall anvandas vid t.ex. screening eller i samband med andra undersokningar dar information om lungfunktion behovs. Sammanlagt stallde 45 konsekutiva patienter upp pa analys via minispirometri efter genomford konventionell spirometri med reversibilitetstest. Av dessa anvandes 41 stycken i undersokningen. Efter den konventionella spirometrin fick de utfora 4 - 7 forcerade expirationer direkt foljt av inspirationer. De parametrar som anvandes var forcerad expiratorisk volym under den forsta sekunden (FEV1), forcerad vital kapacitet (FVC) och kvoten FEV1/FVC. For den konventionella spirometrin anvandes langsam VC enligt klinisk rutin. Med 95 % KI beraknades medelvardet och SD for skillnaden i FVC mellan de bada metoderna till -0,19 ・} 0,30 liter. For FEV1 var resultatet 0,04 ・} 0,13 liter och kvoten FEV1/FVC gav 0,05 ・} 0,05. Parat t-test gav for FVC t= 4,1. For FEV1 t= 1,79 och for kvoten FEV1/FVC t= 6,28. T- vardena jamfordes med t kritiskt = 2,03 som erholls ur en tabell. Ett lagre t- varde an tkritiskt antyder att metoderna ar tillrackligt lika. FEV1 stamde bra overens mellan de bada metoderna. Det fanns en signifikant skillnad for FVC och forkvoten FEV1/FVC.

This work develops a simple and low-cost microphone-based spirometer with a scalable infrastructure that can be used to monitor COPD and Asthma symptoms. The data acquired from the system is archived in the cloud for further procuring and reporting. To develop this system, we utilize an off-the-shelf ESP32 development board, MEMS microphone, oxygen mask, and 3D printable mounting tube to keep the costs low. The system utilizes the MEMS microphone to measure the audio signal of a user's exhalation, calculates diagnostic estimations and uploads the estimations to the cloud to be remotely monitored. Our results show a practical system that can identify COPD and Asthma symptoms and report the data to both the patient and the physician. The system developed can provide a means of gathering respiratory data to better assist doctors and assess patients to provide remote care.

Master thesis "The effect of incentive spirometry and postural lability on activity of respiratory muscles" deals mainly with electromyographic activity of respiratory muscles while using incentive spirometry. In the first part the following aspects of breathing are covered: kinesiology, pattern, work, and the respiratory and postural function of respiratory muscles. The next section describes the main types of incentive spirometers and indications and contraindications of their usage. Furthermore, the thesis defines neurophysiological basics needed for electromyographic usage and the influence on its signal quality. The main part of the thesis deals with the issues of incentive spirometer usage and postural lability and the effects on activity of the respiratory muscles. The final section suggests recommendations regarding the suitable position for effective respiratory-postural function training using incentive spirometry. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

introduction: The theoretical part of the thesis briefly analyzes the anatomical, kinesiological and physiological aspects of breathing, pursues the issue of examinations of lung functions and also includes a chapter which applies to incentive spirometers. The experimental part of the work examines the impact of three-week training with trainer Coach2 on parameters of respiratory gas exchange at rest and during the exercise in healthy subjects. methods: Both output and control tests included spirometry and spiroergometry examination. The experimental group consisted of 10 subjects, control group consisted of 9 subjects. results: Our results show a significant influence especially on an increase in FVC, decreased respiratory rate at submaximal intensities of exercise and increased breathing rate at maximum load and also an increase in tidal volume at all load levels. Minute ventilation at maximum load increased by an average of 15.17 liters. The control group did not show any improvement. conclusion: It appears that training with trainer Coach2 might be effective in influencing certain ventilatory parameters at rest as well as during the exercise.

Essential voice tremor (EVT) is a voice disorder that results from dyscoordination within the laryngeal musculature, which negatively impacts the symmetrical motion of the vocal folds. Several investigators have shown that individuals with EVT experience difficulty speaking and a reduced quality of life (QOL; Cohen, Dupont, & Courey, 2006; Verdonck-de Leeuw & Mahieu, 2004). While traditional voice therapy has been ineffective in lessening the severity of vocal tremor, a current approach (Barkmeier- Kraemer, Lato, & Wiley, 2011) designed to lessen the perception of vocal tremor has resulted in reported patient satisfaction with little actual change in voice quality. The present study focused on achieving positive voice changes by targeting the physiological aspects of voice production that may be altered through inspiratory breathing techniques, i.e., increased lung volume pressure and laryngeal lowering. The hypothesis was that such changes could result in reductions in vocal tremor and lead to perceived improvements in voice quality and concomitant increases in the participant's QOL. An ABAB (treatment reversal) single subject design was used to assess the effectiveness of inspiratory breathing exercises on reducing the severity of tremor in three women diagnosed with EVT. Pre-treatment measures were administered, and participant progress was determined after one week of treatment (post-treatment #1), a week of no treatment, and another week of treatment (post-treatment #2). The following measures were gathered from each participant to document treatment progress and effectiveness:lung pressure volume levels, Voice Handicap Index (VHI) ratings, acoustic analyses of isolated vowels, and perceptual ratings on the Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V), as well as untrained listener ratings of vocal steadiness and pleasantness. Physiological, QOL, acoustic, and perceptual data did not triangulate to demonstrate treatment effectiveness. However, individual treatment effects were found in increases in lung pressure volume for participant 1, decreases in CAPE-V scores for participant 3, and decreases in VHI scores for participants 1 and 3. Changes in voice acoustics and untrained listener perceptions were negligible. Thus, the results from this study indicate that inspiratory breathing exercises may show some promise in improving voice and QOL in certain tremor patients and that this technique warrants further research consideration.

The name of the work: Shape changes in the axial system during respiration Goal of the work: the main objective is to perform a case study of brass parameters and changes the shape of the trunk during the ventilation maneuver, prepare the correct methodology of research and to conduct separate measurements. The thesis will be divided into two parts, the first will contain the theoretical background to the subject, in the second part will then be described by the research, where I measured the change in the volume of the lungs in relation to time, assess the impact of implemented ventilation maneuver on the individual probands and examine the respiratory dynamics in selected ventilation maneuver. Methods: in the framework of the fulfilment of the tasks of this work have been carried out experiments with the use of 3D kinematic record with Qualisys and spirometric measurement. The experiment involved three probands aged 20 to 40 specific common features. Each of the proband performed during the measurement of quiet breathing, maximum inhalation and exhalation and ventilation maneuver. Measurements were carried out in one day under standard conditions, measurements made on the day of probands quiet breathing, maximum inhalation and exhalation and ventilation maneuver (5 min total). Data records were...

Objectives: To investigate the organisation of asthma care in primary care and evaluate outcomes for patients attending primary care centres with and without asthma clinics. Other objectives were to study the association between quality of life and asthma control in patients in primary care and to analyse sex differences regarding asthma outcomes related to menopausal status. Material and methods: Cross-sectional surveys and a patient record study. Results: Of all the primary health care centres, 77% had a spirometer and 53% an asthma clinic. At centres with asthma clinics 77% of the patients reported sufficient knowledge of asthma as compared with 65% at centres without asthma clinics (p&lt;0.001). With more time allocated for the nurse, 44% of patients achieved asthma control as compared with 27% at asthma clinics with less time (p&lt;0.003). Patients using short-acting beta-2 agonists more than twice in the last week had clinically significant lower MiniAQLQ scores (5.17 versus 5.91). This finding also held for night awakenings during the previous week (4.42 versus 5.86), courses of oral corticosteroids (5.26 versus 5.64) and reported emergency consultations during the last six months (4.85 versus 5.71). Premenopausal women had significantly lower total MiniAQLQ scores than men in the same age group (5.44 versus 5.89, p&lt;0.001), while no difference was found between postmenopausal women and men of similar ages. The adjusted odds for premenopausal women for asthma exacerbations was 2.0 (95%CI 1.22-3.43) as compared with men in the same age group. No differences were found when comparing postmenopausal women with men of similar ages. Conclusions: Half the primary health care centres had an asthma clinic and the majority had access to a spirometer. Patients at primary health care centres with asthma clinics reported better knowledge of their disease, and asthma control is more often achieved if the nurse is allocated more time. Achieving asthma control is associated with better quality of life in patients in primary care. Premenopausal women had lower quality of life and less often asthma control then men of the same ages, while no corresponding difference was found between postmenopausal women and men of similar ages.