Patent Application
20230255510
Spirometers are devices that are used to measure an individual's breathing by measuring the volume and air flow of the individual's lungs when breathing. They may be used in hospital settings, for example, for evaluating patient's with conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other medical conditions.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various implementations of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.
The following describes a spirometer attachment that removably attaches to a spirometer and that communicates information about the air flow in the spirometer.
Particularly, the spirometer attachment provides visual information to indicate the amount of air that is being inhaled or exhaled at a various flow data rate or volume. The visual information may be used to guide the user to sustain a pre-determined flow data rate for a pre-determined minimum time period or achieve another breathing objective. For example, the goal may be to increase transpulmonary pressure and inspiratory volumes, improve inspiratory muscle performance, or re-establish or simulate the normal pattern of pulmonary hyperinflation. When the procedure is repeated on a regular basis, airway patency may be maintained and lung atelectasis prevented and reversed.
In an example, a spirometer attachment includes a housing and a securement to removably secure the housing to a spirometer. A measuring device within the housing is to collect breath data from the spirometer. At least one LED (light-emitting diode) is to emit light away from the housing based on the collected breath data. A circuit board or controller within the housing controls the light emitted by the LED based on the breath data.
In another example, a spirometer attachment includes a housing and a securement that removably attaches the housing to a spirometer. A measuring device within the housing is to collect breath data from the spirometer. At least one LED is to emit light away from the housing based on the collected breath data. A circuit board or controller within the housing controls the LED based on the breath data. The breath data is used to determine at least one of rate of breath and volume of lung capacity which is then used to determine the type or mode of LED light to be activated.
In another example, a spirometer attachment includes a housing and a securement that removably attaches the housing to a spirometer. A laser range finder is to measure breath within a portion of space within the spirometer. In an example, the portion of space includes an overlapped space of the housing that is also within the spirometer. At least one LED is to emit light away from the housing based on the collected breath data. A circuit board or controller within the housing controls the LED based on breath data as measured by the laser range finder to guide and teach a user to use the spirometer.
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In an example, the housing 102 is water-tight or water-resistant such that the spirometer attachment 100 may be removed and sterilized in between uses. This allows hospital rooms and home environments to contain the spread of germs, viruses, bacteria, etc. In another example, the housing 102 is air-tight. The spirometer attachment 100 is thus not a disposable one-time use device.
On the face of the spirometer attachment 100 is a visual indicator to convey visual information related to flow rate or volume based on use of the spirometer. The example visual indicator shown in
The shape of the LED light 108 may be a square as shown in
Further examples include that the LED lights 108 change brightness to indicate progression. The brightness level may be used in addition to the number of lights to provide additional communication on progression. For example, the brightness level may indicate the amount of time that the user has remaining, with a lower or higher brightness representing that the time is almost over. A change of LED light 108 color may also be used to communicate time or other information. For example, a LED light 108 may change from green to indicate that time is almost over, and then red to indicate to the user to stop using the device.
In addition to light, or in place of light, other forms of communication may be incorporated. In an example, the spirometer attachment 100 includes a sound device for communicating auditory feedback to a user. The sound may prompt the user to begin breathing or stop breathing. The sound may change or increase in volume as the user uses the device. The sound may include a voice prompt or other type of information during use of the spirometer.
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Further example components in the housing 102 include a battery for powering the at least one LED and the circuit board. In an example, a wireless charger is in the housing 102 and is used to charge the battery. In another example, a wireless transmitter is within the housing 102 and transmits and receives breath related data for determining actuation of the LED lights 108.
An example spirometer is shown in
An example setup includes the spirometer attachment 100 attached to the spirometer 124 as shown in
In another example, the spirometer attachment 100 also provides feedback to hospital staff on the user's progress. The spirometer attachment 100 does this with a communication feature that transmits and exchanges breath related data with an external source.
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In the description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that examples consistent with the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation or example is included in at least that one implementation, but not necessarily in other implementations. The various instances of the phrase “in one implementation” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation.
The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
