Spirometer having individually characterized, single-use disposable sensor

摘要

An improved spirometry assembly (20) is provided which includes a spirometer (22) and a sensor unit (24) coupled via handle assembly (26). The spirometer (22) has a reading slot (30) as well as an optical reader (36). The sensor unit (24) includes a tab (72) having at least one characterizing indicium (76) thereon which characterizes a response parameter of the sensor unit (24) upon flow of gas therethrough. In use, the reading slot (30) receives tab (72) and the reader (36) reads the indicium (76) and generates characterizing data representative thereof which is sent to a signal processor within the spirometer (22). The assembly (20) includes a measuring device such as a pressure transducer in operative communication with the interior ofthe sensor unit (24) for measuring a condition therein during patient-induced gas flow and generates pressure data. The signal processor within the spirometer (22) receives both the pressure data and the sensor unit characterizing data and generates report information about a pulmonary condition of a patient.