Choosing the correct spirometer is an important step when looking to manage your or your patient's COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Asthma sufferers, smokers on the path to quitting, and people with other chronic respiratory diseases are just a few of the types of people who benefit from consistent spirometry tests. At home spirometry use has risen in the past several years due to advances in spirometer technology. Spirometers are used to perform pulmonary function tests (PFTs) that not only help patients on the path to recovery but provide necessary data to analyze if the current method of treatment is effective.

In our previous blog, Top 3 Spirometers by MIR, we featured the most popular spirometers by MIR at MFI Medical. We're going to be taking a closer look at the top two and comparing them to see which one is right for you.

FVC, FEV, and Peak Flow: What do these mean?

Unless you are a trained medical professional, chances are reading the result of a spirometer test can be confusing. Lung capacity tests are performed to verify the efficacy of a person's lungs. A spirometry test uses a couple of basic readings; FEV, FVC, and peak flow.

• Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV): Measures how much air a person can exhale during a single forced breath. 
• Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1): The amount of air you can exhale in the first second of the test.
• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): The total amount of air you can exhale from your lungs during an FEV test.
• Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): How much air a person can exhale while breathing out as hard and fast as possible. 

These readings are crucial when looking to diagnose or manage a patient's COPD. FEV is the most important measurement of lung function, according to the University of Michigan Medicine. A patient suffering from Asthma or COPD will have a lower FEV1 than a healthy person. Without these critical readings, physicians would be unable to determine the best course of action for that particular patient's recovery. Decreases in FEV1 readings may mean the patient's pulmonary disease could be worsening. For this reason, using a spirometer consistently throughout a treatment is the best tool in effectively managing COPD.

Now that we know what the readings are measuring when looking at a spirometry test, let's compare two of MIR's top-selling spirometers at MFI Medical. Which one is right for you?

Smart One Spirometer

Chances are you have one smart device in your home. Medical devices are no exception to this growing trend. App-based equipment provides patients with equipment previously only available at a physician's office. Now, patients can take home the same high-quality equipment used at their doctor's office and monitor their results from their smartphone! The Smart One Spirometer by MIR is designed for asthma sufferers, sportspersons, and smokers to help them monitor their lung health day to day. 

The Smart One Spirometer measures two parameters; Peak Flow and FEV1. You can easily read your results from your phone using the free MIR Smart One app, available in 20 languages. Simple-to-read graphics and buttons make the app easy to use for anyone. No need to have smartphone or computer knowledge. The Smart One Spirometer can be used on patients ranging from 5 to 93 years old and is recommended by physicians for patients looking to manage their COPD.

Spirobank II Basic Spirometer

The Spirobank II Basic Spirometer is a favorite among MFI Medical customers and physicians for its powerful performance and ease of use. It is ideal for family doctors, occupational medicine, and screening purposes. The Spirobank II Spirometer's internal memory can store up to 10,000 spirometry tests and can provide roughly 40 hours of continuous use on one battery charge. A simple USB interface allows you to connect the spirometer to any PC and is compatible with Winspiro PRO and spiro Connect MIR software (WinspiroPRO PC Software included, always with free upgrades). Simply connect the spirometer via the included USB cable to your PC to read and create custom reports.

It is capable of reading the main spirometry parameters FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, and more. An Estimated Lung Age (ELA) test assesses the benefits of smoking cessation. The high-resolution display provides on-screen results and curves preview for immediate data analysis. The icon-based navigation menu makes this spirometer easy to use for both medical professionals and patients. It's no wonder the Spirobank II Basic is a top-selling product and a favorite at MFI Medical.

MIR Spirometer Comparison: Smart One and Spirobank II Basic

MFI Medical: Your Spirometry Superstore

MFI Medical carries all of MIR's exceptional spirometry equipment and supplies. If you are still unsure about which MIR spirometer is right for you or your practice, contact our team of experts. MFI Medical is a close partner with MIR. Our account managers are in close contact with our manufacturers and will ensure you receive exactly what you need to manage your or your patient's COPD. Contact us today!