Data-Collection Software

This sensor can be used with an interface and the following data-collection software.
Spirometer • Logger Pro This computer program is used with LabQuest, LabPro, or Go!Link.
• Logger Lite This computer program is used with LabQuest, LabPro, or Go!Link.
(Order Code SPR-BTA) • LabQuest App This program is used when LabQuest is used as a stand-alone
device.
The Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of
experiments related to air flow and lung volume. The • EasyData App This calculator application for the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus can
sensor handle can be held manually, or it can be be used with CBL 2, LabPro, and Vernier EasyLink. We recommend version 2.0
attached to a tripod or stand using the threaded insert in or newer, which can be downloaded from the Vernier web site,
the bottom of the handle. The sensor is composed of a removable Flow Head for www.vernier.com/easy/easydata.html, and then transferred to the calculator. See
easy cleaning and sterilization and a differential pressure transducer. The Spirometer the Vernier web site, www.vernier.com/calc/software/index.html for more
can be used to perform a variety of tests, including: information on the App and Program Transfer Guidebook.
• FEV (forced expiratory volume). FEV is the volume of air exhaled after a short • DataMate program Use DataMate with LabPro or CBL 2 and TI-73, TI-83,
period of constant effort. When this test is done over a one-second interval, it is TI-84, TI-86, TI-89, and Voyage 200 calculators. See the LabPro and CBL 2
known as FEV1. Guidebooks for instructions on transferring DataMate to the calculator.
• FVC (forced vital capacity). FVC is the volume of air exhaled by a forced • Data Pro This program is used with LabPro and a Palm handheld.
maximal exhalation after a full inhalation. • LabVIEW National Instruments LabVIEW™ software is a graphical
• TV (tidal volume). TV is the volume of air inhaled and exhaled at rest. programming language sold by National Instruments. It is used with SensorDAQ
and can be used with a number of other Vernier interfaces. See
Inventory of Items Included with the Spirometer www.vernier.com/labview for more information.
Check to be sure that each of these items is included with your Spirometer: Disassembling/Assembling the Spirometer
• Spirometer (includes sensor handle and Flow Head) The Spirometer comes with a detachable Flow Head that can be removed for
• 5 disposable mouthpieces sterilization or replacement.
• 1 disposable bacterial filter
• 2 nose clips Detaching the Flow Head from the Handle
Collecting Data with the Spirometer
This sensor can be used with the following interfaces to collect data:
• Vernier LabQuestTM as a standalone device or with a computer
• Vernier LabPro® with a computer, TI graphing calculator, or Palm® handheld
• Vernier Go!®Link
• Vernier EasyLink®
• Vernier SensorDAQTM
• CBL 2TM

Here is the general procedure to follow when using the Spirometer: Push on the latches at the top Pull up on the Flow Head and
1. Connect the Spirometer to the interface. of the handle until they splay remove it from the handle.
outward.
2. Start the data-collection software.
3. The software will identify the Spirometer and load a default data-collection setup.
You are now ready to collect data.

2
Attaching the Flow Head to the Handle Cleaning the Flow Head
The manufacturer recommends three methods, in the following order, with which to
sterilize the Flow Head.
1. Wash the detachable Flow Head in a dishwasher. It is dishwasher safe. This
method provides the longest life for the Flow Head and is the method most
recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Cold sterilize the Flow Head with a surface disinfectant such as Cidex® or
Technical Tincture of Green Soap®. These are available from medical supply or
janitorial supply companies.
3. Autoclave the Flow Head. This method provides the shortest life span for the
Push in the two latches Line up the two small Press down firmly on the
Flow Head.
at the top of the handle holes on the base of the Flow Head until it
so that they splay Flow Head with the two securely attaches to the We recommend that you sterilize the Flow Head using one of these methods after
outward ports inside the top of handle. Push the latches each school day, at the very least, and that you always use the Spirometer with a
the handle in to lock the Flow Head disposable mouthpiece.
in place The nose clips should be wiped clean between uses and soaked in a mild detergent
after each experiment.
Using the Spirometer Taking Measurements with the Spirometer
The Spirometer can be used for both expiratory only and inspiratory /expiratory • Ensure that the person being tested is breathing only through his/her mouth.
experiments. Use the following combinations of mouthpieces, filters, and Flow The person can use a nose clip or hold his/her nose.
Heads for the type of experiment you are doing.
• Connect a disposable bacterial filter and a disposable mouthpiece to the clear
Expiratory Only plastic Flow Head on the side labeled “Inlet”.
Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece with the • Hold the Spirometer vertically and still during use.
Spirometer for experiments in which the students will • For best results, start the data collection on an exhale.
only exhale through the Spirometer. Attach the
mouthpiece to the side of the Flow Head marked Note: This product is to be used for educational purposes only. It is not appropriate
“Inlet”. for industrial, medical, research, or commercial applications.

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.

3 4
Specifications Spirometer Accessories
Flow rate ±10 L/s The following items are available for the Spirometer:
Dead Space 93 mL • Disposable Bacterial Filter (pkg. of 10) order code SPR-FIL
Nominal Output 60 µV/[L/s] • Disposable Mouthpiece (pkg. of 30) order code SPR-MP
Detachable Flow Head • Noseclip (pkg. of 10) order code SPR-NOSE
Dimensions:) 80.5 mm (diameter) × 101.5 mm (length • Spirometer Flow Head order code SPR-FLOW
Mass: 80 g Using the Spirometer in Your Classroom
Construction clear acrylic plastic Here are a few examples of experiments that can be conducted with the Spirometer.
Handle
Dimensions 127 mm × 23 mm × 35 mm Breathing Patterns
Mass 85 g A student’s normal, resting breathing
Construction black ABS plastic pattern is measured by a Spirometer.
Cable length 1.5 meters A graph of the data shows the student
Default Sampling Rate breathing in (inspiration) and
breathing out (expiration). The graph
100 samples/s on computer shows typical results of the flow rate
50 samples/s on calculator and Palm during a normal breath and a deep
Stored calibration breath.
slope 7.1869 (L/s)/V
intercept –17.9672 L/s Tidal Volume
A student’s normal, resting breathing
This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with pattern is measured. A graph of the
LabQuest, LabPro, Go! Link, SensorDAQ, EasyLink, or CBL 2, the data-collection data shows the volume of air the
software identifies the sensor and uses pre-defined parameters to configure an student breaths in (inspiration) and
experiment appropriate to the recognized sensor. breaths out (expiration). The overall
process is referred to as ventilation.
How the Spirometer Works Tidal volume is the amount of air that
a person breathes in with a normal
When the Spirometer is assembled, a subject blows into a Flow Head composed of a breath.
plastic housing through which air is forced. In the center of the Flow Head is a mesh
screen. As air is forced through the Flow Head a slight difference in pressure occurs
between the front and the back surface of the screen. A tube in front of the screen Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
and a tube behind the screen pass the pressures to a differential pressure transducer. In this activity, the student exhales
The greater the airflow passing through the screen, the greater the pressure forcefully and very quickly into the
differential. This allows for the direct measurement of airflow rate (L/s). Volume (L) Spirometer, and then inhales. The
is calculated by integrating the flow rate (L/s) as a function of time (s). graph of this event, shown here,
allows the student to determine
Do I Need to Calibrate the Spirometer? “No” his/her forced vital capacity. The
You should not have to perform a new calibration when using the Spirometer. We graph is a plot of lung volume
have set the sensor to match our stored calibration before shipping it. You can (x-axis) vs. flow rate (y-axis). The
simply use the appropriate calibration value that is stored in the data-collection data may also be examined to
program. determine Forced Expiratory Volume
after 1 second (FEV1).

5 6
Warranty
Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the customer. The replaceable
Flow Head, manufactured by BIOPAC Systems, Inc,. carries the warranty provided
by them (12 months) and is not subject to a separate warranty by Vernier. This
warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse or improper use.

Vernier Software & Technology

13979 S.W. Millikan Way • Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free (888) 837-6437 • (503) 277-2299 • FAX (503) 277-2440
info@vernier.com • www.vernier.com

Rev 5/9/07
Logger Pro, Logger Lite, Vernier LabQuest, Vernier LabPro, Go! Link, Vernier EasyLink and other marks shown are our
trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States.
CBL 2 and CBL, TI-GRAPH LINK, and TI Connect are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
All other marks not owned by us that appear herein are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be
affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by us.

Printed on recycled paper.

7 8