MEASUREMENT OF LUNG AIR CAPACITY

摘要

A method and apparatus for measuring the air capacity of a user's lungs (30). The method involves use of an apparatus which includes a container (100) having a constant volume and an opening (102) adapted to allow flow communication with the lungs (30). The container (100) further includes a flow sensor (148) and a pressure sensor (50). The method involves determining the initial air pressure in the container (100) before flow communication with the lungs (30) is established. After flow communication with the lungs (30) is established, the flows and pressures are measured. The lung air capacity is calculated based on the known constant container (100) volume, the initial air pressure, and the changes in volume and pressure of the lungs (3) as determined from the measured flows and pressures in the container (100).