An assessment of pulmonary function testing and ventilatory kinematics by optoelectronic plethysmography

New advances in computer processing and imaging have allowed the development of innovative techniques to assess lung function. A promising methodology is optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP). OEP evaluates ventilatory kinematics through the use of infrared imaging. Markers are placed, and images read on the chest, back and abdomen of subjects. Currently, this system is used mainly in research settings, but in the future may have broad applicability to patient populations such as very young children, patients with neuromuscular disease and patients who cannot be tested with classical spirometry testing. This paper presents the history and development of OEP, along with a summary of the OEP methodology, a discussion of research findings and results to date, as well as application and limitations.