| 摘要 |
<p>A method of measuring lung function in a subject includes connecting a pneumotach in series with the subject's airway and taking pressure readings upstream and downstream of a fixed resistance element (30) in the pneumotach. Second pressure readings are taken with a second resistance element (46) in place, and the sets of readings are processed to calculate characteristic flow curves for the subject's airway. First and second time constants ( tau ) are calculated from the flow curves, and are used to calculate values of lung compliance (Clt) and airway resistance (Raw). The invention extends to a pneumotach device with a fixed first resistance element and a removable second resistance element. The invention also extends to apparatus for monitoring lung function including the pneumotach device, together with a pair of pressure sensors (50) and a processor circuit (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) for carrying out the necessary calculations of the time constants, and the lung compliance and airway resistance values. A display (62) is provided for giving an indication of the calculated values. <IMAGE></p> |
