Category Archives: Spirometer

Spirometer, McDermott, Program Controls, circa 1980

Photo and description are kindly provided by Dr. David Chinn, for an upcoming ARTP article.

Spirometer display showing tumblers for program setting (upper one), setting the time interval for the FEV (lower left hand) and BTPS temperature correction (lower right hand). The socket below the upper tumbler links to an XY plotter to print the flow-volume curve in delayed time. The jack plug socket marked ‘record’ provides an output to the cassette recorder.”

Spirometer, McDermott Dry Bellows Digital, circa 1980

Photo and description are kindly provided by Dr. David Chinn, for an upcoming ARTP article.

“McDermott, dry bellows, digital spirometer with calibrating weight and orifice, 1980 Garw Electronic Instruments, Glamorgan, South Wales

This 6V, battery operated, low resistance dry bellows spirometer was used extensively in epidemiological field studies from the 1970s to the 1990s. The example shown is a rigid frame model but another model with collapsible legs was available to increase its portability. The initial models of the spirometer displayed the FEV1 (or FEV0.75) and FVC. A later, digital version was developed that recorded volume expired in 10ms increments and displayed additionally the PEF, MEF50 and MEF75. The data could be processed to replay the flow-volume curve at a reduced speed on any cheap, slow responding XY printer. In addition, the increments could be stored digitally on a magnetic cassette tape for later processing in the laboratory. The spirometer was excellent for recording Helium-Oxygen flow volume curves and for generating off-line moments analysis applied to the spirogram (Mean Transit Time, Moments Ratio etc).”

Spirometer, Poulton & Son, Barry, with Gaensler timed VC attachment, circa 1960

Photo and description provided by Dr. David Chinn, for the ARTP in an upcoming article.

Gaensler spirometer (Poulton & Son, Barry), 1960s.

This device was obtained from the MRC unit at Llandough Hospital, Wales after its closure in the 1980s. For demonstration purposes the timing device is shown attached to the upright where the counter balance weight would have been in place.”

Spirometer, Spalding, 1891

From the Spalding Gymnasium Equipment Catalog, 1891, page 94.  A description of its use:

Position – Face spirometer, head up, shoulders well back.

Motion – Take deep breath, place tube in mouth and blow steadily, but neither quick nor slow.

The deep inspiration exercise the inspiratory muscles and especially the diaphragm, while the expiration cause a strong contraction of the muscles of expiration. A truly fine respiratory exercise, and more valuable than is generally supposed.

Made of brass throughout, handsomely nickel-plated.  Easily repaired, as the stringing is done on the outside.

Price . . . $30.00