Pneumotach / Respiratory Measuring Device by BD

Pulmonary function testing is a medical diagnostic procedure that measures how much air you are breathing and how fast. These parameters are measured with a device known as a pneumotach. A pneumotach is essentially a light screen that is inserted in the airflow. The pneumotach creates a known pressure drop that is directly proportional to the air velocity. A pneumotach is connected to an air tube that allows the patient to breath freely. As the air moves in and out of the patient's lungs the flow of the air creates a small drop in pressure across the pneumotach screen. A sensitive pressure transducer is connected to the pressure taps of the pneumotach and produces an analog signal proportional to the flow rate. This signal is integrated to volume so that the amount of air and its flow rate into the lungs is known at each instant in the inspiration/expiration cycle. The pneumotach typically is equipped with a heater to keep condensation from forming on the pneumotach screen.