Automated system for the measurement of airways resistance, lung volumes, and flow-volume loops.

Using a digital computer and body plethysmograph measurements of airways resistance, lung volumes, and flow-volume loops may be obtained from a single manoeuvre performed by the patient. All the measurements together with a display of the flow-volume loop are displayed within 10 seconds of the patient completing the manoeuvre. The system appears to offer considerable advantages in speed, objectivity, and reproducibility when compared with conventional methods.