| 摘要 |
An apparatus is provided for measuring the respiratory rate of a subject (adult, child, animal or other living / breathing subject), including; a sensor that determines the exhaled water vapour concentration; a calculating device for iteratively calculating properties of individual breath; a method for outputting the respiratory rate based on evaluation of the values produced by the device. The device may optionally transmit an alarm to a remote receiver when respiratory irregularities are detected. Claims are also included for a sensor for detecting water vapour in a gas stream which comprises a first electrode; a second electrode; an active substrate extending between the first and second electrodes, the active substrate being selective to water vapour, such that the presence of water vapour varies the electrical conductivity of the path between the first and second electrodes. The sensor is suitable for analyzing the water vapour content of breath exhaled by a subject in the assessment of respiratory rate and / or respiratory function. The sensor is enclosed within a housing such that the exhalation is unaffected, causing no back-pressure to the breath or increase in exhalation effort, thereby allowing normal tidal breathing. |
