Design and Development of Quasi Digital Sensor Based Spirometer

Abstract

The lack of cost-effective diagnostic devices like spirometer is becoming a prevalent challenge to the diagnosis and effective management of life-threatening respiratory diseases. This paper presents the design, development, and implementation of differential pressure sensing quasi digital sensor and instrument for spirometer application. A system which fulfills the medical standard specifications has been designed and developed by exploiting the venturi tube (Bernoulli's principle) and quasi digital sensor principles. A low power microcontroller (PIC24F) based embedded system, venturi tube based quasi digital sensor, data acquisition software, and user interface were developed. A lab made prototype device has been constructed, tested, and subsequently analyzed the recorded data from the computer. This cost effective ($150) spirometer model can be used for detection of pulmonary diseases rural area and it is going to add a new dimension to the diagnosis of many lung diseases.