2016 Volume 86 Issue 3 Pages 278-287
Incentive spirometer is a medical apparatus used in respiratory physical therapy, to recover early their respiration function and also to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. The apparatus is utilized for patients who have difficulties in expectoration because suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the therapy, sustained maximal inspiration method is employed. The therapy enables easily removal of secretions in the airways in addition to alleviating the symptoms of respiratory failure, by increasing the strength and endurance of respiration muscles such as the diaphragm and skeletal muscle.
During the therapy, the patients have to check the inhalation speed indicated on the apparatus in addition to measuring inhalation time. The therapy should be carried out properly with repetition and strength to achieve the expected result. However, in home therapy, the usage of the apparatus cannot be monitored by medical personnel. The wrong usage may worsen the symptoms. Furthermore, the medical personnel could not instruct patients about the proper exercise method.
In this study, a system for monitoring and recording the usage of the apparatus is developed. The system enables understanding the usage of the apparatus precisely to the medical personnel, even when the therapy is carried out at patients’ home.
