Spirometer (SPR-BTA)

Specifications and User Guide

Troubleshooting

• Primary Test:
  1. Connect the Spirometer to a Vernier interface (e.g., LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, or Go!Link).
  2. Launch the Data Collection software.
  3. Hold the sensor upright and still, then “Zero” the sensor reading. Once zeroed, confirm that the flow rate is zero or very nearly so.
  4. Connect a bacterial filter and a mouthpiece to the side of the sensor marked “Inlet.”
  5. Start data collection and exhale into the sensor. Confirm that the flow rate and lung volume are reasonable values for the person exhaling into the sensor.

Additional Troubleshooting

• How effective is the bacterial filter for the spirometer?
• Do I need to use a bacterial filter with the spirometer, and how many times can I use the same filter?
• Can I perform a custom calibration of a Vernier spirometer?
• The volume measurements from my spirometer drift up or down. How do I correct for this to calculate lung volume parameters?
• What are the dimensions of the disposable mouthpiece for the Spirometer?
• Why are my tidal volumes higher than expected?
• Does the bacterial filter used with Vernier spirometers filter out viruses?

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 coefficients: Slope = 7.8 (L/s)/V; Intercept = –17.55 L/s

Calibration

Calibrate? No. The sensor is set to match the stored calibration before shipping. No calibration process is recommended for this sensor.