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Taking Measurements with the Spirometer
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Ensure that the person being tested is breathing only through his/her mouth.
The person can use a nose clip or hold his/her nose.
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Connect a disposable bacterial filter and a disposable mouthpiece to the
clear plastic Flow Head on the side labeled "Inlet".
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Hold the Spirometer vertically and still during use.
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For best results, zero the spirometer before use and start data collection
during exhalation.
Suggested Experiments
Here are a few examples of experiments that can be conducted with the
Spirometer.
Breathing Patterns
A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured by a Spirometer. A
graph of the data shows the student breathing in (inspiration) and breathing out
(expiration). The graph shows typical results of the flow rate during a normal
breath and a deep breath.
Tidal Volume
A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured. A graph of the data
shows the volume of air the student breaths in (inspiration) and breaths out
(expiration). The overall process is referred to as ventilation. Tidal volume is the
amount of air that a person breathes in with a normal breath.
Line up the two small holes on the base of the Flow Head with the two ports
inside the top of the handle.
Press down firmly on the Flow Head until it securely attaches to the handle.
Push the latches in to lock the Flow Head in place.
Getting Started
1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).
2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger
Pro
, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.
See the following link for additional connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/spr-bta
Using the Spirometer
The Spirometer can be used for inspiratory and expiratory experiments. Use the
following mouthpieces, filters, and Flow Heads for the type of experiment you
are doing.
Inspiratory/Expiratory
Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece and a disposable bacterial filter with the
Spirometer for experiments in which the students inhale and exhale through the
Spirometer. Attach the bacterial filter to the side of the Flow Head marked
“Inlet” and attach the cardboard mouthpiece to the bacterial filter.
In an ideal situation, every student would have his or her own bacterial filter
and disposable mouthpiece. According to the manufacturer’s specs, the
MicroGard
®
filters out more than 99% of bacterial and viral aerosols.
