AUTHOR=Aymerich Claudia , Rodríguez-Lázaro Miguel , Solana Gorka , Farré Ramon , Otero Jorge 

TITLE=Low-Cost Open-Source Device to Measure Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.719372

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.719372

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=ABSTRACT
Measurement of maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressures is a widely used technique to non-invasively evaluate respiratory muscle strength in clinical practice. Commercial devices that perform this test range from whole body plethysmographs to portable spirometers, both expensive and including a wide range of other respiratory tests. Given that a portable, low-cost and specific option for MIP and MEP measuring device is not currently right now in the market, a high-performance and easy-to-build prototype has been developed and the detailed technical information to easily reproduce it is freely released. The novel device is based on an Arduino microcontroller with a digital display, an integrated pressure transducer, and 3D printed enclosure (total retail cost 80 €). The validation of the device was performed by comparison with a laboratory reference setting, and results showed an accuracy within ±1%. As the device design is available according to the open source hardware approach, measuring MIP/MEP can greatly facilitate easily available point-of-care devices for patient’s monitoring and, most important, for making this lung function measurement tool affordable to user in low- and middle-income countries.