Patent ID: 6126613
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A spirometer apparatus for measuring airflow therethrough generated by a user thereof, comprising:a rotor comprising a plurality of rotor blades;a mouthpiece enabling said user to breathe air through said spirometer thereby creating said airflow therethrough;an air outlet opening enabling exhaled air to exit said spirometer and inhaled air to enter said spirometer;at least one detection surface comprising part of at least one of said plurality of rotor blades;a rotation detector detecting passage of said at least one detection surface past said rotation detector and generating a detection signal in response thereto;a computerized device receiving said detection signal, and using said detection signal to measure said airflow through said spirometer; anda rotor turbulence barrier surrounding said rotor, wherein a rotor cross-sectional area of said rotor occupies no more than 30% of a barrier cross-sectional area of said rotor turbulence barrier, and wherein air that does not flow through said rotor turbulence barrier is enabled to flow through a remaining cross-sectional area within said spirometer outside of said rotor turbulence barrier, thereby reducing turbulence of said airflow past said rotor while minimizing pressure drop across said rotor.