Device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user and its method

A device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user includes a housing, a main valve, a visual assembly, and a sound making assembly. The housing has a guiding channel, a first outlet channel, a second outlet channel, and an inlet channel. The main valve is disposed in a housing communicating with the guiding channel, the first outlet channel, the second outlet channel or the inlet channel and configured to regulate or control fluid flowing paths. The visual assembly includes a check valve in the second outlet channel, and at least one movable member. The sound making assembly includes a check valve and a sound maker. So, it can generate the visual and sound encouraging effects for learning how to use a spirometer correctly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user and its method. This device includes a visual assembly and a sound making assembly. In which, a user may easily switch to a testing mode or a learning mode. It can generate both the visual and sound encouraging effects to encourage and guide the user. The structure is sample and easy to use.

2. Description of Related Art

A spirometer is a basic apparatus for measuring the volume of fluid (or air) inhaled and exhaled by the lungs. The spirometer is used especially for measuring forced vital capacity (briefly referred as FVC). In a spirometer test, a person takes a deep breath and then blows as hard as possible into a tube of the spirometer for lasting more than 6 seconds. Typically, the spirometer test fails due to the testing time lasting too long or incorrect inhale/exhale process. Specifically, the spirometer test fails if the person does not take a deep breath, blow as hard as possible or close the larynx.

As shown inFIG.8, a conventional spirometer82is installed in a booth81. A machine83is provided externally of the booth81and operatively connected to the spirometer82. A person takes a deep breath and blows as hard as possible into a tube of the spirometer82. A medical professional monitors a screen of the machine83in order to know the result.

Further, there is another simple-typed spirometer which is not installed in the booth81. The machine83is and operatively connected to the spirometer82. A medical professional is required to monitor the screen of the machine83in order to know the result.

A typical method of teaching a person to properly take a spirometer test involves showing a learning window (e.g., blowing a candle) on the screen of the machine. A person may learn how to take a breath and blow by watching the window. This method can teach a person how to breathe. But the person has to face the screen. In the test, the screen is turned to face a medical professional. The screen turning is a tedious task. Further, a person cannot learn how to breathe and blow by watching the screen. The medical professional is required to repeatedly explain the test procedure to the person and it is time consuming and inconvenient. Most importantly, a person cannot have a visually or audibly feedback during the process for learning how to breathe and blow correctly. The learning effect of this conventional spirometer is slow and quite limited.

Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems of the conventional art by providing a device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user and its method.

To achieve above and other objects of the invention, the invention provides a device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user comprising a housing including a guiding channel, a first outlet channel, a second outlet channel, and an inlet channel wherein the guiding channel communicates with one of the first outlet channel, the second outlet channel, and the inlet channel; and the second outlet channel includes at least one vent hole; a main valve disposed to communicate with the guiding channel, the first outlet channel, the second outlet channel or the inlet channel and configured to regulate, direct or control fluid flow through the guiding channel, the first outlet channel, the second outlet channel or the inlet channel; a visual assembly including a check valve disposed in the second outlet channel, and at least one movable member that being moveably disposed on the corresponding at least one vent hole; and a sound making assembly including a check valve disposed at an end of the inlet channel, and a sound maker;

wherein when the main valve is switched to force the guiding channel communicating with the first outlet channel and a fluid flowing through the guiding channel and further flowing to the first outlet channel through the main valve so as to conduct a spirometer test;

wherein when the main valve is switched to force the guiding channel communicating with the second outlet channel and a fluid flowing through the guiding channel, the fluid further flowing to the at least one vent hole through the main valve, the second outlet channel, and the check valve, thereby moving the at least one movable member up and down repeatedly to generate a visual encouraging effect; and

wherein when the main valve is switched to force the guiding channel communicating with the inlet channel and a fluid flowing through the guiding channel, the fluid reversely flowing through the inlet channel and through the check valve, thereby the fluid flowing through the sound maker to generate a sound encouraging effect.

The invention further provides a method of using a spirometer comprising the steps of a preparing step, a spirometer testing step, and an encouraging and guiding step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS.1A to5B, this invention includes a device for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user. It mainly comprises a housing10, a main valve20, a visual assembly30, and a sound making assembly40.

Regarding this housing10, it includes a guiding channel11, a first outlet channel12, a second outlet channel13and an inlet channel14. The guiding channel11communicates with one of the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13and the inlet channel14. The second outlet channel13includes a plurality of vent holes131(three are shown).

About this main valve20, it is disposed in the housing10to communicate with the guiding channel11, the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13or the inlet channel14for regulating, directing or controlling the flow of a fluid through the guiding channel11, the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13or the inlet channel14.

Concerning this visual assembly30, it includes a check valve31disposed in the second outlet channel13, and a plurality of movable members32(three are shown). Each movable member32is moveably disposed on the corresponding vent hole131. The movable member32is a light-weight ball (such as a ping pong ball or the like; that can be blown up easily).

The sound making assembly40includes a check valve41(such as one-way valve) disposed at an end of the inlet channel14, and a sound maker42.

When the main valve20is switched (or turned) to force the guiding channel11communicating with the first outlet channel12(seeFIG.2B) and a fluid (e.g., air)90flowing through the guiding channel11by exhaling, the fluid90flows to the first outlet channel12through the main valve20so as to conduct a spirometer test.

When the main valve20is switched to force the guiding channel11communicating with the second outlet channel13(seeFIG.4B) and a fluid90flows through the guiding channel11by exhaling (seeFIG.3), the fluid90flows to the vent holes131through the main valve20, the second outlet channel13, and the check valve31(seeFIGS.4A and4B). Also, the movable members32move up and down repeatedly (seeFIG.4C). As a result, a visual encouraging effect is generated.

When the main valve20is switched to force the guiding channel11communicating with the inlet channel14(as well as a portion of the second outlet channel13) and the fluid90flowing through the guiding channel11by inhaling (seeFIGS.5A and5B), the fluid90reversely flows through the inlet channel14and through the check valve41. The fluid90flowing through the sound maker42to generate a sound encouraging effect.

Practically, the main valve20includes a wing-shaped handle21extending from the housing10. A user may turn the handle21to communicate the inlet channel14with the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13or the inlet channel14.

The visual assembly30may further comprise a plurality of limiters33(three are shown) on the housing10with the movable members32disposed therein respectively. The limiter33has a plurality of apertures for exiting fluid (or air). The movable member32may jump in the limiter33between a top of the limiter33and the vent hole131.

The visual assembly30further comprises a plurality of valves34. Each valve34is directly disposed below the vent hole131. The valve34can control an opening or closing of the vent hole131.

The sound maker42is implemented as a whistle or an element that is capable of making sound when the fluid90passes.

Referring toFIG.7, a flow chart of a method for encouraging and guiding a spirometer user of this invention is illustrated. Also referring toFIGS.1to5B, the method comprises the steps of:[1] a preparing step S1: preparing a housing10, a main valve20, a visual assembly30and a sound making assembly40. The housing10includes a guiding channel11, a first outlet channel12, a second outlet channel13and an inlet channel14. The guiding channel11communicates with one of the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13and the inlet channel14. The second outlet channel13includes a plurality of vent holes131. The main valve20is disposed in the housing10to communicate with the guiding channel11, the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13and the inlet channel14for regulating, directing or controlling the flow of a fluid through the guiding channel11, the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13and the inlet channel14. The visual assembly30includes a check valve31disposed in the second outlet channel13, and a plurality of movable members32each moveably disposed on the vent hole131. The sound making assembly40includes a check valve41disposed at an end of the inlet channel14, and a sound maker42.[2] a spirometer testing step S2: by switching the main valve20to communicate the guiding channel11with the first outlet channel12and the fluid (e.g., air)90flows through the guiding channel11by exhaling, the fluid90flows to the first outlet channel12through the main valve20so as to conduct a spirometer test; and[3] an encouraging and guiding step S3: by switching the main valve20to communicate the guiding channel11with the second outlet channel13and the fluid flows through the guiding channel11by exhaling (seeFIG.3). The fluid90further flows to the vent holes131through the main valve20, the second outlet channel13, and the check valve31(seeFIGS.4A and4B). Also, the movable members32move up and down repeatedly (seeFIG.4C). As a result, a visual encouraging effect is generated. By switching the main valve20to communicate the guiding channel11with the inlet channel14(as well as a portion of the second outlet channel13) and the fluid90flows through the guiding channel11by inhaling (seeFIGS.5A and5B). The fluid90reversely flows to the inlet channel14through the check valve41. The fluid90flows through the sound maker42to generate a sound encouraging effect.

The main valve20includes a wing-shaped handle21extending from the housing A user may turn the handle21to communicate the inlet channel14with the first outlet channel12, the second outlet channel13or the inlet channel14.

The visual assembly30further comprises a plurality of limiters33(three are shown) on the housing10with the movable members32disposed therein respectively. The limiter33has a plurality of apertures (or openings) for exiting fluid90(or air). The movable member32may jump in the limiter33between a top of the limiter33and the vent hole131.

The visual assembly30further comprises a plurality of valves34that are directly disposed to the corresponding vent hole131. The valve34can control an opening or closing of the vent hole131.

The sound maker42is implemented as a whistle or an element which is capable of making sound when the fluid90passes.

The invention is directed to the spirometer test. As shown inFIG.1B, the spirometer82is installed in a booth81by mounting on a support. A machine83is provided externally of the booth81and operatively connected to the first outlet channel12. It is noted that the connection of the machine83to the spirometer82is not subject of the invention and is not discussed in detail for the sake of brevity.

The invention has two use modes as detailed below.

The first use mode is taking a spirometer test (seeFIGS.2A and2B). A person takes a deep breath and blows as hard as possible into a tube of the spirometer82. In detail, the main valve20is switched to communicate the guiding channel11with the first outlet channel12, the person blows fluid90into the guiding channel11. And in turn, fluid90flows to the spirometer82via the main valve20and the first outlet channel12so as to conduct the spirometer test.

InFIGS.2B, the positions about the vent holes131, the movable members32, the valves34, and the limiters33are slightly adjusted for better understanding. However, the actual spatial positions can be seen inFIG.2A.

The second use mode is learning the spirometer test (with encouraging and guiding effects). For a beginner, it is possible that the beginner may not be able to successfully finish the first use mode. Thus, the invention provides visual/sound modes of learning the spirometer test as detailed below.

As shown inFIGS.3,4A and4B, regarding the visual encouraging effect, the main valve20is switched to communicate the guiding channel11with the second outlet channel13, the person blows fluid90into the guiding channel11. The fluid90exits via the main valve20, the second outlet channel13, the check valves31and the vent holes131. At the same time the movable members32repeatedly jump up and down randomly (seeFIG.4C), thereby generating a visual encouraging effect. It is also found that the harder the user blows, the higher the movable members32jump. Therefore, the person knows that he/she correctly blows the fluid90(or air).

InFIGS.4B and4C, the positions about the vent holes131, the movable members32, the valves34, and the limiters33are slightly adjusted for better understanding. However, the actual spatial positions can be seen inFIG.4A.

As shown inFIGS.5A and5B, regarding the sound encouraging effect, the main valve20is switched to communicate the guiding channel11(as well as a portion of the second outlet channel13) with the inlet channel14, the person inhales the fluid90into the guiding channel11, and the fluid90reversely flows to the inlet channel14through the check valve41. The fluid90flows through the sound maker42to generate a sound encouraging effect. It is also found that if the user inhales harder, the sound (whistle) lasts longer. Therefore, the person knows that he/she knows the difference between inhaling slightly and inhaling hard.

InFIGS.5B, the positions about the vent holes131, the movable members32, the valves34, and the limiters33are slightly adjusted for better understanding. However, the actual spatial positions can be seen inFIG.5A.

Whether the blowing is hard or not is a subject of the person taking the test. The person may blow hard initially and lose steam thereafter. While a person may not be able to feel small fluid flow, the spirometer can detect it as long as the person blows. Thus, the spirometer can detect small respiratory symptom. But the result may be incorrect if the person does not blow continuously during the test. In detail, forced vital capacity (FVC) may be decreased. In case forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is unchanged, FEV1/FVC increases. As such, it is impossible of evaluating any obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, a person taking the test is encouraged to exhale in FEV1.

Details can be found in Table 1 below. Result volume of fluid (or air) inhaled and exhaled by the lungs is defined in which FEV2-6is defined as forced expiratory volume in 2-6 seconds. At the condition of air flow rate of 100 mL/sec, the more of the open vent holes131being open (as shown inFIG.2A, from left to right one valve34disposed below the first vent hole131, the other valve34disposed below the second vent hole131and the third vent hole131being always open as detailed in Table 1), the more significant of the visual encouraging effect.

Real FEV1is low for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Real FEV1is low for limiting diseases such as pectus excavatum. Thus, result volume of air inhaled and exhaled by the lungs can be modified as below.

For ordinary people or people not aware of having COPD or limiting diseases (like pectus excavatum), estimated FVC—estimated FEV1.

For people having symptom of COPD such as smoking or asthma, estimated FVC—0.8*estimated FEV1.

For people having symptom of limiting diseases such as chest limiting disease, estimated FVC—0.8*estimated FEV1.

In one example, radius of any vent hole131is labeled r and has a value of 0.5 cm, a patient taking the test, estimated FVC is 3.53 L and estimated FEV1is 2.88 L (seeFIG.6A), and result volume is 3.53−2.88=0.65 L=650 mL.

For training a person to blow fluid90in case two vent holes131(e.g., the first and third vent holes or the first and second vent holes) are open, the volume of air blown by the person is 0.97 L, the person can exhale for 6 seconds, and the movable members32can jump or spin.

For a person taking the test being a smoker, estimated FVC is 4.65 L and estimated FEV1is 4.01 L (seeFIG.6B), and result volume is 4.65−4.01*0.8=1.44 L=1440 mL.

For training a person to blow fluid90(or air) in case three vent holes131are open, the volume of air blown by the person is 2.36 L, the person can exhale for 6 seconds, and the movable members32can jump or spin.

The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art:[1] The spirometer test and spirometer test learning modes can be easily switched. The main valve is disposed in the housing and can be operated to switch between the spirometer test mode and the spirometer test learning mode. In the spirometer test mode, a spirometer test is conducted. For people not familiar with the spirometer test and being subject to failure, it is possible of switching to the spirometer test learning mode so that the people can learn how to take a deep breath and blow (or inhale) as hard as possible using the spirometer. After has been familiar with the spirometer test, the people may take the spirometer test. In short, the spirometer test and spirometer test learning modes can be easily switched.[2] The visual and sound encouraging effects aim to encourage people to take or learn the spirometer test. The person taking the spirometer test can see the movable members repeatedly jump by the upward flowing fluid (or air). Further, if the user blows harder, the movable members jump more strongly. Thus, the person knows that his or her blowing action is correct. When fluid flowing through the guiding channel, the fluid reversely flows to the inlet channel through the check valve, thereby flowing fluid through the sound maker to generate a sound encouraging effect. It is found that the user inhales harder, the sound (whistle) lasts longer. Therefore, the person knows that his or her blowing action is correct. In short, the visual and sound encouraging effects can encourage people to take or learn the spirometer test.[3] The spirometer is easy to operate due to simple components. The spirometer is portable, i.e., not being fixed. The spirometer is especially suitable for people having experience of failing the spirometer test. In short, the person may learn how to take a spirometer test using the spirometer. After has been familiar with the spirometer test, the person may take the spirometer test. In short, the spirometer test is facilitated and the operation of the spirometer is made easy due to the simple components.

While the invention has been described in terms of configurations, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.