Refining the Hardware and Software

Design Updates

• We revised our design from the Venturi design, and we now need to decide whether to build a Lilly or Fleisch type spirometer. Both are currently used in commercial models. We are examining the pros and cons of each design and hope to have a basic prototype of each built by the end of the week. Feedback on the design features and construction is welcome as always. Find out more about these spirometer designs here:

Fleisch – http://spirxpert.com/technical2.htm

Lilly – http://spirxpert.com/technical3.htm

• After much consideration, we have decided to pursue Adobe AIR as the platform for our software. We believe that AIR will provide the smoothest path to a highly-functional graphic interface that is capable of displaying all of the data we want. However, AIR does have its disadvantages, including a large RAM requirement and no direct access to USB devices. We are examining the use of the Merapi Project software to acquire our data through a Java application (allowing USB access), but would be interested to hear other alternatives.  Here is our rationale for choosing Adobe AIR over Microsoft Silverlight, Processing, and Java:

Design matrix for software decision

• We are currently working on correlating input voltages with the output of the ZMD 31014. This process will allow us to correlate the data we see on the screen with the differential pressure recorded by the sensor. Our current setup has been giving unexpected data, but we hope to resolve the problems soon.

Info we need

We want to make our product as functional as possible for our customers, so we want to know as much as we can about the operating environment for our spirometer. Information about the following topics would be greatly appreciated!

• What types of cleaning solutions are available or commonly used in your clinics? Ethanol, Cidex, other?
• How much RAM do your computers generally have?
  • We plan on creating a graphically intensive program to show video and animation and are concerned about the capabilities of the users’ computers.
• Do patients tidal breathe through your spirometer prior to forced exhalation or do they place the spirometer to their lips after their max inhalation?
  • If you have used both types of procedures, which do you prefer? Why?
  • We would prefer NOT to have patients tidal breathe through our spirometer to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Also, we want training videos to portray the use of our spirometer accurately and ensure that it is consistent with most commercial spirometer procedures.

Thanks for your help! Please send any comments or suggestions to  openspirometry@gmail.com, or leave a comment on this post.