Accuracy Evaluation of Tidal Volume Measured on the Abdomen

Respiration is induced by muscular contraction of the chest and abdomen, resulting in the abdominal volume change. Thus, continuous measurement of the abdominal dimension enables to monitor breathing activity. Conductive rubber cord has been previously introduced and tested to develop wearable application for respiratory measurements. This study implemented respiratory monitoring system with the conductive rubber cord in the patient's pants in purpose of quantitative estimation of tidal volume. Air mixed with $0{\sim}5%$ $CO_2$ was inhaled and the respiratory air flow rate, abdominal dimension change, and end tidal $CO_2$ concentration were simultaneously measured in steady state. $CO_2$ inhalation significantly increased the tidal volume in normal physiological state with the subject unawared. The tidal volume estimated from the abdominal dimension change linearly correlated with the tidal volume measured by a pneumotachometer with a correlation coefficient of 0.88. Customized calibration for each subject resulted in relative errors less than 10%. Therefore, the tidal volume was accurately estimated by measuring the abdominal dimension change.

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