Phase-gain IC based novel design of tidal breathing pattern sensor for pulmonary disease diagnostics

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a system capable of capturing directional tidal breathing (inhale/exhale cycles) pattern for application in pulmonary disease diagnostics. The work particularly highlights intelligent usage of commercially available Analog Device's phase-gain IC and ultrasound to build such a system which otherwise requires many fold, more complex circuits/electronics to achieve similar sensitivity. This makes the system compact, affordable yet very sensitive so that it can be reliably used for tidal breathing analysis, a new trend that emerged recently as opposed to traditional Spirometric test (based on forced breathing) that is both tedious and painful for patients with pulmonary obstructions. This work may turn out quite useful in needy geographies as pulmonary ailments like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is rapidly becoming an epidemic and requires immediate attention.