Automated system for the measurement of airways resistance, lung volumes, and flow-volume loops

Abstract

Using a digital computer and body plethysmograph measurements of airways resistance, lung volumes, and flow-volume loops may be obtained from a single manoeuvre performed by the patient. All the measurements together with a display of the flow-volume loop are displayed within 10 seconds of the patient completing the manoeuvre. The system appears to offer considerable ad vantages in speed, objectivity, and reproducibility when compared with conventional methods.