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Spirometer User Manual

Order Code: SPR-BTA

The Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of experiments related to air flow and lung volume. The sensor handle can be held manually, or it can be attached to a tripod or stand using the threaded insert in the bottom of the handle. The sensor is composed of a removable Flow Head for easy cleaning and sterilization and a differential pressure transducer. The Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of tests, including:

  • FEV (forced expiratory volume). FEV is the volume of air exhaled after a short period of constant effort. When this test is done over a one-second interval, it is known as FEV1.
  • FVC (forced vital capacity). FVC is the volume of air exhaled by a forced maximal exhalation after a full inhalation.
  • TV (tidal volume). TV is the volume of air inhaled and exhaled at rest.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial testing of any kind.

What's Included

  • Spirometer (includes sensor handle and Flow Head)
  • Disposable mouthpieces (3)
  • Disposable bacterial filter (3)
  • Nose clips (3)

Compatible Software

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements. This sensor requires an interface (sold separately).

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support
Computers
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisLogger ProLogger Lite
LabQuest MiniPartial support 1Full supportPartial support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2Full supportIncompatible 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2Full supportPartial support 1
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1 3Full supportPartial support 1 3
Go!LinkPartial support 1Full supportPartial support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Partial support 1Full supportPartial support 1
LabPro (discontinued)IncompatibleFull supportPartial support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Software does not support baseline adjustment.
  2. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
LabQuest MiniPartial support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1 3
Go!LinkPartial support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Partial support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Software does not support baseline adjustment.
  2. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
iOS
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1Incompatible
LabQuest 3Full support 2Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. Software does not support baseline adjustment.
  2. iOS and Android™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Android
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1Incompatible
LabQuest 3Full support 2Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. Software does not support baseline adjustment.
  2. iOS and Android™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Arduino
Software
InterfaceArduino
Vernier Arduino® Interface ShieldFull support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Requires advanced programming for data collection
LabVIEW
Software
InterfaceNI LabVIEW
SensorDAQ (discontinued)Full support
Vernier myDAQ AdapterFull support 1 2
Go!LinkFull support 2
LabQuest MiniFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support

Compatibility Notes

  1. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.
  2. Requires advanced programming for data collection
Texas Instruments
Software
InterfaceEasyDataDataMateTI-84 SmartViewDataQuestTI-Nspire Software
EasyLinkPartial support 1 2IncompatiblePartial support 1 3Partial support 1Partial support 1 3
CBL 2 (discontinued)Partial support 1 4Partial support 1 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
LabPro (discontinued)Partial support 1 4Partial support 1 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle (discontinued)IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatiblePartial support 1Partial support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Software does not support baseline adjustment.
  2. Use with TI-84 Plus calculators only.
  3. Requires an Easy to Go! adapter
  4. CBL 2 and LabPro interfaces cannot be used with TI-84 Plus CE calculators.
  5. DataMate cannot be used with color screen TI-84 Plus calculators; use EasyData with these calculators.

Assembly

The Spirometer comes with a detachable Flow Head that can be removed for sterilization or replacement.

Detaching the Flow Head from the Handle

Push on the latches at the top of the handle until they splay outward.

Pull up on the Flow Head and remove it from the handle.

Attaching the Flow Head to the Handle

Push in the two latches at the top of the handle so that they splay outward.

Line up the two small holes on the base of the Flow Head with the two ports inside the top of the handle.

Press down firmly on the Flow Head until it securely attaches to the handle. Push the latches in to lock the Flow Head in place.

Quick Start

  1. Plug the sensor into the interface (LabQuest 3, LabQuest Mini, etc.).
  2. Connect the interface to your device.
    • If using USB, connect to the USB port on your computer.
    • If using Bluetooth® wireless technology, click your interface type and then select your device.
  3. Prepare for data collection:
    • Vernier Graphical Analysis®: Launch the app, if necessary, and click Sensor Data Collection.
    • LabQuest® App: Choose New from the File menu.

The software will identify the sensor and load a default data-collection setup. You are now ready to collect data.

Need Additional Information?

Visit the following link:

www.vernier.com/start-lq-sensor

Using the Spirometer

The Spirometer can be used for inspiratory and expiratory experiments.

Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece and a disposable bacterial filter with the Spirometer for all experiments. Attach the bacterial filter to the side of the Flow Head marked “Inlet” and attach the cardboard mouthpiece to the bacterial filter. According to the manufacturer’s specs, the MicroGard® filters out more than 99% of bacterial and viral aerosols.

Note: Every person must use their own bacterial filter and disposable mouthpiece—do not share these.

Taking Measurements with the Spirometer

  • Ensure that the person being tested is breathing only through their mouth. The person can use a nose clip or hold their nose.
  • Connect a disposable bacterial filter and a disposable mouthpiece to the clear plastic Flow Head on the side labeled "Inlet".
  • Hold the Spirometer vertically and still during use.
  • For best results, zero the spirometer before use and start data collection during exhalation.

Suggested Experiments

Here are a few examples of experiments that can be conducted with the Spirometer.

Breathing Patterns

A person’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured by a Spirometer. A graph of the data shows the person breathing in (inspiration) and breathing out (expiration). The graph shows typical results of the flow rate during a normal breath and a deep breath.

Tidal Volume

A person’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured. A graph of the data shows the volume of air the person breathes in (inspiration) and breathes out (expiration). The overall process is referred to as ventilation. Tidal volume is the amount of air that a person breathes in with a normal breath.

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

In this activity, the person exhales forcefully and very quickly into the Spirometer, and then inhales. The graph of this event, shown here, allows the student to determine his/her forced vital capacity. The graph is a plot of lung volume (x-axis) vs. flow rate (y-axis). The data may also be examined to determine Forced Expiratory Volume after 1 second (FEV1).

Videos

There are no videos for this product.

Calibrating the Sensor

You should not have to perform a new calibration when using the Spirometer. We have set the sensor to match our stored calibration before shipping it. You can simply use the appropriate calibration value that is stored in the data-collection program.

For the most accurate measurements with this sensor, we recommend adjusting the calibration using a 2 L syringe. This is a simple process that takes only a few minutes.

For further calibration information, see www.vernier.com/til/3353

Specifications

Flow rate

±10 L/s

Dead space

93 mL

Nominal output

128 mV/[L/s]

Detachable flow head
  • Dimensions: 80.5 mm (diameter) × 101.5 mm (length)
  • Mass: 80 g
  • Construction: Clear acrylic plastic

Handle

  • Dimensions: 127 mm × 23 mm × 35 mm

  • Mass: 85 g
  • Construction: Black ABS plastic

Cable length

1.5 meters

Stored calibration
  • Slope: 7.8 (L/s)/V
  • Intercept: –17.55 L/s

Care and Maintenance

Do not wrap the cable tightly around the sensor for storage. Repeatedly doing so can irreparably damage the wires and is not covered under warranty.

Cleaning the Flow Head

The manufacturer recommends two methods, in the following order, with which to sterilize the Flow Head.

  1. Wash the detachable Flow Head in a dishwasher. It is dishwasher safe. This method provides the longest life for the Flow Head and is the method most recommended by the manufacturer.
  2. Cold sterilize the Flow Head with a surface disinfectant such as Cidex® or Technical Tincture of Green Soap®. These are available from medical supply or janitorial supply companies.

We recommend that you sterilize the Flow Head using one of these methods. You should always use the Spirometer with a disposable mouthpiece and bacterial filter.

Note: Every person must use their own bacterial filter and disposable mouthpiece—do not share or reuse these.

The nose clips should be wiped clean between uses and soaked in a mild detergent after each experiment.

How the Spirometer Works

In the center of the Flow Head is a mesh screen. As air is forced through the Flow Head a slight difference in pressure occurs between the front and the back of the screen. A tube in front of the screen and a tube behind the screen pass the pressures to a differential pressure transducer. The greater the airflow passing through the screen, the greater the pressure differential. Airflow rate (L/s). is measured directly. Volume (L) is calculated by integrating the flow rate (L/s) as a function of time (s).

Troubleshooting

For troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/1409

Repair Information

If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting steps, and are still having trouble with your Spirometer, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Accessories/Replacements

Item Order Code

Disposable Bacterial Filter (pkg. of 10)

SPR-FIL10
Disposable Mouthpiece (pkg. of 30)

SPR-MP30
Noseclip (pkg. of 10)

SPR-NOSE10
Spirometer Flow Head

SPR-FLOW

Warranty

Warranty information for this product can be found on the Support tab at www.vernier.com/spr-bta/#support

General warranty information can be found at www.vernier.com/warranty

Disposal

When disposing of this electronic product, do not treat it as household waste. Its disposal is subject to regulations that vary by country and region. This item should be given to an applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring that this product is disposed of correctly, you help prevent potential negative consequences on human health or on the environment. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed information about recycling this product, contact your local city office or your disposal service.

The symbol, shown here, indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste container.

Contact Support

Fill out our online support form or call us toll-free at 1-888-837-6437.

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