The techniques used to date for measuring breathing feature various application constraints: mouthpieces and facemasks are invasive to the patient and hinder his or her mobility, while the use of plethysmographic chambers can lead to inaccuracies due to the variations of environmental factors such as humidity, temperature etc. Currently these drawbacks can be overcome with the BTS optoelectronic plethysmography OEP system, an innovative solution for studying respiratory mechanics.

With the computerized three-dimensional reconstruction of the thoracic part, the measurements of the main ventilation parameters are immediately available to the physician:

• Current volume of the thoracic part and its variations during breathing
• Vital capacity
• Respiratory frequency during inspiration and exhalation
• Average inspiration and exhalation flux
• Variations of the pulmonary volume at the end of exhalation

Optoelectronic plethysmography is a very expedient technique:

• It is non invasive as it does not require any connection to the patient (no mouthpieces or facemasks)
• Does not require patient cooperation (intensive care, sleep, children)
• Is suitable for long term measurements (unaffected by drift problems), in any posture (sitting, recumbent) and in any experimental condition (rest, exercise, phonation)