Peak flow meters, both mechanical and electronic, have been available to asthma patients for years. A number of inexpensive spirometers that meet ATS-ERS standards are now available for little as $500. Although these spirometers are primarily intended for a doctor’s office and not intended for self-monitoring by asthmatics, a number of even less expensive spirometers intended for personal use have recently appeared on the market.
Additionally, in the last couple of years there have been at least four different university engineering projects to develop a low-cost spirometer, with a goal of costing substantially less than $100 and are intended for self-monitoring or for use in third world countries. Although these could be considered to be demonstration projects, several have the potential to become viable products.