Breasy Incentive Spirometer - Electromechanical Device

Sponsor

Carle Illinois College of Medicine: Linus Lee, Roxana Azimi

Student Team

Master of Engineering: Ishaan Sharma, Hannah Harris
Undergraduates: Bozena Bryja, Bridget Halleran, Rory Douglass
iMBA: Vincent Ma

Description

Our goal is to create a new design for the incentive spirometer that allows for much easier and intuitive use. We propose a novel design and shape for the incentive spirometer that mimics the shape and appearance of a cup with straw attached. The new design will ideally cue patients to inhale rather than exhale into the device, which is a current common misconception. The new spirometer will also include a mechanical one-way valve to produce a noise when the patient inhales, mimicking a kazoo or other wind-based instruments, to add an element of positive reinforcement for correct use of the spirometer. Additionally, an electronic system will interface with the spirometer to capture data such as overall volume of air moved, number of attempts, etc. Having the ability to objectively collect data from incentive spirometer use not only allows for improved patient care, but is also an invaluable resource to hospital quality improvement efforts. This system may attach to the bottom or side of the spirometer and use small fan blades to correlate revolutions vs. torque generated to volume of air moved. The electronics will likely be housed in patient rooms and be sanitized and reused, much like how the same electronic unit is used with new electrocardiogram (EKG) leads and oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitors.

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