A new method for assessing flow-volume measurements by means of a simple isoflow electronic pocket device (IfloPen).
The IfloPen is a new device for measuring isoflows featuring specific information about the effort-independent part of the flow-volume curve. Whereas the recording of the latter normally requires expensive equipment, the IfloPen is a handy, portable and simple device. In addition, the isoflow technique requires minimal cooperation. Significant correlations have been found between the isoflow-points measured with the IfloPen and PF, MEF50, MEF25 and FEV1 (p < 0.001). The IfloPen showed better correlations with spirometric lung function data than with the Peak-flow-Meter. Even experimentally induced bronchial obstruction during a bronchial challenge with carbachol can be measured functionally by the IfloPen, showing similar changes as obtained by the FEV1 and the MEF50 (p < 0.001). From a practical point of view, the IfloPen features a new device to measure more accurately bronchial obstruction (no overestimation, physiological breathing maneuver, good practicability). It can therefore be used in medical practice and is a suitable device for home monitoring.
Schibler
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Inselspital, Switzerland.
Aebischer
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CC
Bischofberger
J
J
Liardet
C
C
Kraemer
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results