A Low-cost Venturi Tube Spirometer for the Diagnosis of COPD

摘要

The paper presents the design methodology and implementation of a low-cost spirometer prototype that can detect pulmonary diseases. By sensing the pressure difference of the expiratory air passing through the 3D printed venturi tube, the system calculates forced vital capacity (FVC). Through free campaigns, the performance and efficiency of this venturi tube spirometer were tested in different locations and the accuracy rate was highly promising. With this great efficiency and accuracy, this model diagnoses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Apart from measuring FVC, the model also measures forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and from their ratio, it identifies COPD. In underprivileged areas, each and every hospital cannot afford spirometers available in the market because of their high price. This low-cost spirometer model ensures proper detection of pulmonary diseases in those underprivileged areas and it is definitely going to add a new dimension to the diagnosis of COPD.