[Evaluation of the Vitalomer-1 electronic spirometer]

A new home-made electronic spirometer (Vitalomer 1) is presented. The adequacy of measurement of lung volumes and flows with Vitalomer is assessed in two ways: by registration of volume changes after filling the device by air from the syringe of known volume and by so called "biological testing". By this method in the group of healthy subjects and patients with airflow obstruction the volumes and flows were simultaneously measured both by Vitalomer and standard spirometer (Vitalograph). The values, measured by both devices, were compared according to two statistical methods. Analysis has showed that Vitalomer is comparable in measurement of volumes and flows with well-known Vitalograph and that it fulfils the criteria proposed for spirometers by American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Communauté Européenne du Charbon et de l'Acier (CECA). The handling with new device is very simple as well as its cleaning. Vitalomer is therefore appropriate for diagnostic spirometry both in out-patients clinics as well as in hospital wards.