Flow based incentive spirometer

A flow based incentive spirometer through which a patient withdraws inspiratory air for receiving respiratory therapy comprising:

• an air flow rate chamber for setting an inspiratory air flow rate to permit a patient to inhale inspiratory air at a predetermined rate of air flow;
• said air flow rate chamber including an inlet opening and an air-flow-metering aperture for controlling the rate of air flow therethrough,
• said air flow rate chamber further including a plurality of mutually exclusively positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow-metering aperture to control the rate of air flow therethrough;
• said plurality of mutually exclusively positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow-metering aperture to control the rate of air flow therethrough being carried on a rotatable hub,
• a monitoring chamber in fluid communication with said air flow rate chamber to receive inspiratory air passed through said inlet opening in fluid communication therewith;
• and
• said monitoring chamber including an indicator responsive to the flow rate of inspiratory air passed from an outlet of said monitoring chamber and the air-flow-metering aperture into said air flow rate chamber to enable a patient to monitor the rate of flow of inspiratory air being drawn into the spirometer.

A method for post-surgical prevention and treatment of atelectasis, and for sustained maximal inspiration exercise comprising the steps of:

• inhaling inspiratory air from an inspiratory air withdrawal port of a flow based spirometer;
• introducing said inspiratory air into said flow based spirometer through an air flow monitoring chamber in said flow based spirometer having an inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber;
• said air flow monitoring chamber including an air flow indicator movable within said air flow monitoring chamber in response to the flow of inspiratory air out from said air flow monitoring chamber and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port;
• dividing said air flow of inspiratory air passing out from said air flow monitoring chamber into
• a first air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber through an upper discharge opening of said air flow monitoring chamber and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port, and
• into a second air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber through a patient operable adjustable air flow metering aperture formed in said air flow monitoring chamber at a location removed from and below said upper discharge opening and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port;
• and
• varying the flow of air from said air flow monitoring chamber in said second air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion or said air flow monitoring chamber through said air flow metering aperture in response to said air flow indicator movable within said air flow monitoring chamber.