Objective
Portable meters that record the peak expiratory flow (PEF) from the lungs, and are used world wide for the diagnosis and management of asthma, have been found to give inaccurate readings. Standardised methods are required that will enable the performance of PEF meters to be established accurately.
The purpose of the project was to establish the best means for testing the performance of portable meters that record the peak expiratory flow from the lungs. The specific objectives of the project were:
to produce three computer controlled piston pumps that can produce accurately known flows in the range up to 15 L/s with flow-time profiles of varying shapes;
to produce a simpler calibrator for PEF meters, with a limited but sufficient number of flow profiles, based on an explosive decompression device.
The two test systems, the decompression device and the pumps, gave similar results when uncomplicated test profiles were used. However, testing with brief transients of flow, such as produced by humans, could only be satisfactorily undertaken with the decompression device since the pump system was susceptible to wave effects. Recommendations for how to test portable PEF meters have been made and when these have been agreed with the manufacturers it is hoped that they will be used to help establish European Standards for testing portable PEF meters. The partners are continuing to work in the area of lung function testing.
Three servo-controlled piston pumps were produced that can generate flows of gas up to 20 L/s and achieve this peak with a 10 to 90 % rise time of less than 40 milliseconds, more than meeting the requirements for simulating human subjects. The pumps can discharge timed volumes to within 5 ml accuracy over a range of up to 7 litres. An explosive decompression device, the alternative means of testing PEF meters, was modified to allow flow profiles of various shapes to be used to test the PEF meters. A range of shapes was devised that that encompassed the variation found in human subjects. PEF meters from the three major manufacturers were tested using both the decompression device and the pumps.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Data not available
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
B15 2TT BIRMINGHAM
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.