A METHOD OF MEASURING AN ACOUSTIC IMPEDANCE OF A RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND DIAGNOSING A RESPIRATORY DISEASE OR DISORDER OR MONITORING TREATMENT OF SAME

摘要

The present invention provides a method of measuring an acoustic impedance ofa respiratory system. The method comprises selecting a frequency range for anacoustic wave, directing the acoustic wave into the respiratory system andreceiving an acoustic wave from the respiratory system. The method alsocomprises determining the acoustic impedance for a plurality of volumes orvolume ranges of the respiratory system. Each volume, or the volumes withineach volume range, is larger than RV or FRC and smaller than TLC whereby thedetermined acoustic impedances are specific for respective volumes or volumeranges. Further, the method includes determining a volume, or volume range,dependency of the acoustic impedance of the respiratory system andcharaterising the respiratory system by analysing the dependency of theacoustic impedance on the volume or volume range.