Methods and devices for assessment of pneumostoma function

A system for assessing pneumostoma function of a pneumostoma of a patient, the system comprising:

• an airway interface adapted to make a seal with a natural airway of a patient;
• a pressure elevating system coupled to the airway interface which elevates a pressure of gas in the airway interface;
• a pneumostoma interface having a seal and a gas collection tube;
• a gas analyzer coupled to the pneumostoma interface wherein the gas analyzer measures at least one quality of gas in the pneumostoma during a period of time when the patient is exhaling and the a pressure of gas in the airway interface is elevated;
• and
• a display for displaying an assessed quality of gas measured by the gas analyzer.

A method for assessing function of a pneumostoma in a chest of a patient, the method including:

• (a) receiving an elevated-exhalation-pressure control device into the pneumostoma;
• (b) inserting a gas collection device into the patient's mouth;
• (c) assessing qualities of gas in the patient's mouth during a time period in which a patient is exhaling at an elevated pressure through the elevated-exhalation-pressure control device;
• and
• (d) removing the gas collection device from the patient's mouth.