Spirometry technologies benchmark

Nowadays at market present quite a lot of different spirometry technologies. Our Research and Development Department prepared a comprehensive comparison, which we are sharing here.

Principles	Medikro Disposable Pneumotach	Heatable Pneumotach	Turbine	Disposable Turbine	Ultrasound
Measurement of:	The pressure generated by the pneumotach	The pressure generated by the pneumotach	The rotation of the turbine	The rotation of the turbine	The transit time difference
Patient Hygiene
No Extra Cross Contamination Protection needed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
No Need of Bacterial Filters	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Accuracy
Low Flow Accuracy not limited by the measurement principle	Yes	Yes	note 2	note 2	note 4
Zero Flow Stable because of the measurement principle	note 1	note 1	Yes	Yes	note 5
Fast response to the direction change of the flow	Yes	Yes	note 3	note 3	Yes
Meets ATS/ ERS Standards	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Portability
Low Power	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Small size and weight	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ambient Factors
Ambient Factors affect to the Signal	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fast response to the change of the flow temperature and humidity	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	note 6
Calibration
Needs calibration	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Can be calibrated	Yes	Yes	note 7	note 7	note 7
Long Period Use
No Moving Parts	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Price
Low Cost Replaceable Patient Part	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Low Cost Measurement Device	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Disposable Pneumotach/ Heatable Pneumotach

Note 1 : pressure sensor can generate noise and zero level drift. Medikro has reduced this noise by 90% with new VCT Technology.

Turbine/ Disposable Turbine

Note 2 : mechanical friction affects to the start-up of the turbine.
Note 3 : mechanical inertia affects to the signal.
Note 7: depending on the Manufacturer

Ultrasound

Note 4 : linearization curve changes at the zone where the flow changes from laminar to turbulence.
Note 5 : the measurement principle generates noise to the measurement signal
Note 6 : the measurement principle is sensitive to the measured gas humidity and temperature.
Note 7: depending on the Manufacturer