Tolulade Adeofe

Gated Spirometer4/17/2010

Spirometer

• A spirometer is a medical device used to measure the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.

Necessity

• Respiratory Disease is Common in underdeveloped nations– Tobacco use– Indoor/Outdoor air pollution– Occupational risks

Necessity

• As of 2007, 210 million people have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• 90% of all COPD cases occur in underdeveloped nations

• 80% of all deaths related to COPD occur in underdeveloped nations

• By 2030 COPD will be 3rd leading cause of death worlwide

• Muramoto, Myra; Lando, Harry. Faculty Development in tobacco cessation: Training health professionals and promoting tobacco control in developing countries. University of Arizona College of Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Wiley InterScience, Volume 28, Issue 5, 2 September 2009.

• The World Health Organization. Global surveillance, prevention, and control of Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A comprehensive approach, 2007. http://www.who.int

Current Devices

• Complex electronic designs that measure many variables

• Cost of production is high and unavailable to people in underveloped nations

• $7 USD- >$500 USD• Average cost $ 8 USD• Average family in underdeveloped nation < $2

USD• The World Bank, http://www.web.worldbank.org . Poverty Reduction and Equity.

Current Devices

• Incentive Spirometer– Indicator provides gauge of how well patient’s

lungs are functioning• Electronic Spirometer– Memory data recording– Precision improvements

Spirometers Currently Used

Considerations

• Low production and consumer costs• Ease of use• Easy to interpret visual feedback

Design

• Rectangular profile with hinged gates inside• Gates in front require less expiration than

gates in back • As patient expires greater force of air the

more gates lift which provides visual feedback• Optional dye/marker

Design

• Dimensions:– 247.65mm x 100mm x 100mm– Mouthpiece: 30mm (outer diameter) 25 mm

(inner diameter)• Removable mouthpiece means device can be

used by different patients

Results

• Normal Parameters of Spirometer:– 35cm x 10cm x 10cm– Due to restrictions on rapid prototyping machine

off by approximately 5 inches in length• Gated mechanism is working and with airflow

gates lift• Not exact due to length

Patents

• No patents for device similar to this one• Patent for incentive spirometer filed on March

24, 1981• Patents expire within 17 years of filing• Incentive Spirometer: United States Patent 4,391,283. http://www.freepatentsonline.com

Future Directions

• Device has patent potential • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant– Neglected Diseases unit under Global Health

Final Words

• Need for this device high in underdeveloped nations

• Not a cure/treatment but a diagnostic tool for at risk patients

• Market for device only in underdeveloped nations

• Easily standardized and mass produced