Patent ID: 7291115
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Method of measuring the ventilatory function of a patient including obtaining respiratory restriction and obstruction values of a patients by spirometry using an electronic spirometer provided with flow detector means, microprocessor control means to carry out calculations on the basis of measured data, and means associated with said microprocessor to store the measured results, and to visualize the results and compare the stored results, said method comprising the steps of: capturing data by means of said spirometer of a test consisting of a VC (vital capacity) maneuver, where from a maximal inhalation the subject has to exhale slowly until no more air can be expelled; capturing data by means of said spirometer of a FEV maneuver consisting of a forced and continuous exhalation from maximal inhalation, and exhaling the air until at least one second has already lapsed; processing the expiration flow data obtained during the previously-mentioned maneuvers by said microprocessor to obtain main parameters and an evaluation of the ventilatory function and the respiratory condition of the patient; and wherein said data processing step comprises calculating an FEV maneuver index (IM) consisting of a 2-digit numerical expression based on the flow/time curve, which reflects the FEV maneuver performed by the patient, which includes drawing a flow/time curve taking as the first digit of said index the time measurement in tenths of a second, from a maximum flow point until the first second of forced exhalation relative to the initial exhalation intensity of the patient, and as the second digit of said index the time in tenths of a second of descending and concave portions of a curve viewed from above, from the maximum flow point until the first second of forced exhalation, relative to the intensity and the uniformity of the expiration of air during the first second; the results being classified according to a weighted score from 99 to 00.