Reference Flowmeters

An incremental method to assess the linearity of gas flowmeters: application to Fleisch pneumotachographs.

A new method of studying the linearity of gas flowmeters was tested on different models of Fleisch pneumotachographs. The method applies a steady flow to the test flowmeter, which is increased in a stepwise manner by adding a constant flow-increment. This is achieved using two flow sources in parallel. The method does not require any reference flow channel and may be implemented with standard l...

The effect of physiologic and mechanical aging on the performance of peak flowmeters.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of physiologic and mechanical aging on peak flowmeters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight each of MiniWright (MW; Clement Clark; Harlow, UK), Personal-Best (PB; HealthScan Products; Cedar Grove, NJ), Vitalograph (V; Vitalograph Ltd; Buckingham, UK), and Breath-Taker (BT; Medical Development Australia; Melbourne, Australia) peak flowmeters were assessed for accurac...

Quantifying and Specifying the Dynamic Response of Flowmeters

The dynamic response characteristics of flowmeters are often incompletely or incorrectly specified. This is often the result of inadequate dynamic testing. This paper describes a robust method for determining the dynamic response characteristics of flowmeters. The results of frequency response tests on a number of flowmeter technologies are presented. A concise way of specifying the dynamic per...

Tracking Natural Gas with Flowmeters

Elevation of peak expiratory flow by a "spitting" maneuver: measured with five peak flowmeters.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if peak expiratory flow (PEF) is higher using incorrect technique versus correct technique with five marketed peak flowmeters. DESIGN Randomized, nonblinded study. SETTING University pulmonary medicine clinic. PATIENTS Twenty adults with clinically stable asthma. INTERVENTIONS After inhaling 2 puffs of albuterol via a valved aerosol holding chamber (Aerocham...