An evaluation of the P.K. Morgan pocket spirometer

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Medical Device Evaluation
• Respiratory Diagnostics

Background:

• The P.K. Morgan pocket spirometer is a new, portable, and affordable device for measuring lung function.
• It measures key respiratory parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the accuracy of FVC and FEV1 measurements obtained using the P.K. Morgan spirometer.
• To determine if the device meets established accuracy standards for pulmonary function testing.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized a Vent-Aid TTL Training Test Lung to generate airflow.
• Airflow was directed through the Morgan spirometer and a 9-L Collins water-sealed spirometer for comparison.
• Measurements were compared against a gold-standard spirometer to evaluate accuracy.

Main Results:

• Morgan spirometer FVC measurements showed high correlation (0.996) with Collins spirometer, with no significant difference (P=0.17).
• 56% of Morgan FVC measurements met American Thoracic Society (ATS) accuracy standards.
• Morgan spirometer FEV1 measurements also showed high correlation (0.999) with Collins spirometer, with a statistically significant but clinically small difference (P=0.01).
• 87% of Morgan FEV1 measurements met ATS accuracy standards.

Conclusions:

• The P.K. Morgan spirometer demonstrates adequate accuracy for bedside screening purposes.
• The device's accuracy is insufficient for use as a replacement for more precise pulmonary function equipment in diagnostic settings.