Chest and abdominal surface motion measurement for continuous monitoring of respiratory function

The spirometric devices currently available are not well suited for continu ous or ambulatory monitoring of subjects. The proposed solution details a m ethod of assessing lung function that avoids the need for flow measurement at the mouth and provides more detailed information of the dynamics of ches t motion while allowing the subject to move freely. The solution to this pr oblem comprises a distributed sensor system that allows regional motions du ring breathing manoeuvres to be investigated as well as a measurement of ti dal respiratory volume. Preliminary studies demonstrate performance benefit s of an array of sensors over two-compartment respiratory measurements.