A device for evaluation of flow recording equipment

We have constructed a calibration device which simulates a maximum expiratory flow, and which can also be used to determine quantitatively the frequency response and linearity of flow recording equipment. It consists of a pressure chamber full of copper chips serving as a heat exchanger. When inflated to twice the atmospheric pressure, it delivers 8.2 l of air during deflation. Deflation is released by a falling weight. The time tS between 10% and 90% of the peak expiratory flow out of the chamber (PEFR) can be varied between 10 ms and 90 ms. PEFR up to 19 l X s-1 can be obtained by changing the size of an orifice in the outlet line. The calibrator was tested with a Fleisch no 4 pneumotachograph linear up to 15 l X s-1. The coefficient of variation of PEFR (12.2 l X s-1) and FVC (8.2 l) was 2% and 1% respectively for 10 consecutive deflations. The frequency response in terms of tS of the tested equipment can be evaluated from the flow-volume curve produced by the calibrator. Examination of tS in 50 medical students shows that tS of the equipment should be less than about 20 ms in order to correctly measure PEFR. By means of a single deflation, the linearity of the total recording system can be tested over a range of flows because the flow signal of the calibrator is declining almost linearly with time.