Vernier SPR-BTA User Manual

1

Detaching the Flow Head from the Handle

Push on the latches at the top of the handle until they splay outward.

Pull up on the Flow Head and remove it from the handle.

Attaching the Flow Head to the Handle

Push in the two latches at the top of the handle so that they splay outward.

Spirometer

(Order Code SPR-BTA)

The Spirometer can be used to perform a
variety of experiments related to air flow
and lung volume. The sensor handle can
be held manually, or it can be attached
to a tripod or stand using the threaded insert in the bottom of the handle. The
sensor is composed of a removable Flow Head for easy cleaning and
sterilization and a differential pressure transducer. The Spirometer can be used to
perform a variety of tests, including:

l FEV (forced expiratory volume). FEV is the volume of air exhaled after a

short period of constant effort. When this test is done over a one-second
interval, it is known as FEV1.

l FVC (forced vital capacity). FVC is the volume of air exhaled by a forced

maximal exhalation after a full inhalation.

l TV (tidal volume). TV is the volume of air inhaled and exhaled at rest.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.

What's Included

Check to be sure that each of these items is included with your Spirometer:

l Spirometer (includes sensor handle and Flow Head)
l 5 disposable mouthpieces
l 1 disposable bacterial filter
l 2 nose clips

Compatible Software

See www.vernier.com/manuals/sp r-bt a for a list of software compatible with the
Spirometer.

Assembly

The Spirometer comes with a detachable Flow Head that can be removed for
sterilization or replacement.

2

Taking Measurements with the Spirometer

l Ensure that the person being tested is breathing only through his/her mouth.

The person can use a nose clip or hold his/her nose.

l Connect a disposable bacterial filter and a disposable mouthpiece to the

clear plastic Flow Head on the side labeled "Inlet".

l Hold the Spirometer vertically and still during use.
l For best results, zero the spirometer before use and start data collection

during exhalation.

Suggested Experiments

Here are a few examples of experiments that can be conducted with the
Spirometer.

Breathing Patterns

A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured by a Spirometer. A
graph of the data shows the student breathing in (inspiration) and breathing out
(expiration). The graph shows typical results of the flow rate during a normal
breath and a deep breath.

Tidal Volume

A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is measured. A graph of the data
shows the volume of air the student breaths in (inspiration) and breaths out
(expiration). The overall process is referred to as ventilation. Tidal volume is the
amount of air that a person breathes in with a normal breath.

Line up the two small holes on the base of the Flow Head with the two ports
inside the top of the handle.

Press down firmly on the Flow Head until it securely attaches to the handle.
Push the latches in to lock the Flow Head in place.

Getting Started

1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).

2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger Pro, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.

See the following link for additional connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/sp r-bta

Using the Spirometer

The Spirometer can be used for inspiratory and expiratory experiments. Use the
following mouthpieces, filters, and Flow Heads for the type of experiment you
are doing.

Inspiratory/Expiratory

Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece and a disposable bacterial filter with the
Spirometer for experiments in which the students inhale and exhale through the
Spirometer. Attach the bacterial filter to the side of the Flow Head marked
“Inlet” and attach the cardboard mouthpiece to the bacterial filter.

In an ideal situation, every student would have his or her own bacterial filter
and disposable mouthpiece. According to the manufacturer’s specs, the
MicroGard®filters out more than 99% of bacterial and viral aerosols.