Sensors 2008, 8(12), 7951-7972; doi:10.3390/s8127951
Review

Optoelectronic Plethysmography has Improved our Knowledge of Respiratory Physiology and Pathophysiology

Isabella Romagnoliemail, Barbara Laniniemail, Barbara Binazziemail, Roberto Bianchiemail, Claudia Coliemail, Loredana Stendardiemail, Francesco Gigliottiemail and Giorgio Scano* email
Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, via Imprunetana 124, 50023 Pozzolatico, Florence, Italy
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 21 October 2008; in revised form: 25 November 2008 / Accepted: 27 November 2008 / Published: 5 December 2008
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Italy)
PDF Full-text Download PDF Full-Text [485 KB, uploaded 5 December 2008 15:35 CET]
Abstract: It is well known that the methods actually used to track thoraco-abdominal volume displacement have several limitations. This review evaluates the clinical usefulness of measuring chest wall kinematics by optoelectronic plethysmography [OEP]. OEP provides direct measurements (both absolute and its variations) of the volume of the chest wall and its compartments, according to the model of Ward and Macklem, without requiring calibration or subject cooperation. The system is non invasive and does not require a mouthpiece or nose-clip which may modify the pattern of breathing, making the subject aware of his breathing. Also, the precise assessment of compartmental changes in chest wall volumes, combined with pressure measurements, provides a detailed description of the action and control of the different respiratory muscle groups and assessment of chest wall dynamics in a number of physiological and clinical experimental conditions.
Keywords: Chest wall kinematics; lung volumes; rib cage distortion; respiratory muscles; expiratory flow limitation; breathing pattern; dyspnea

Article Statistics

Click here to load and display the download statistics.

Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Romagnoli, I.; Lanini, B.; Binazzi, B.; Bianchi, R.; Coli, C.; Stendardi, L.; Gigliotti, F.; Scano, G. Optoelectronic Plethysmography has Improved our Knowledge of Respiratory Physiology and Pathophysiology. Sensors 2008, 8, 7951-7972.

AMA Style

Romagnoli I, Lanini B, Binazzi B, Bianchi R, Coli C, Stendardi L, Gigliotti F, Scano G. Optoelectronic Plethysmography has Improved our Knowledge of Respiratory Physiology and Pathophysiology. Sensors. 2008; 8(12):7951-7972.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Romagnoli, Isabella; Lanini, Barbara; Binazzi, Barbara; Bianchi, Roberto; Coli, Claudia; Stendardi, Loredana; Gigliotti, Francesco; Scano, Giorgio. 2008. "Optoelectronic Plethysmography has Improved our Knowledge of Respiratory Physiology and Pathophysiology." Sensors 8, no. 12: 7951-7972.

Sensors EISSN 1424-8220 Published by MDPI AG, Basel, Switzerland RSS E-Mail Table of Contents Alert