PORTABLE SPIROMETER AND METHOD FOR MONITORING LUNG FUNCTION

A system for remotely delivering the contents of a pulmonary treatment or rehabilitation program to an individual comprises a spirometer for sensing fluid flow from the individual. The spirometer comprises a tubular housing defining a first fluid flow pathway, a first opening, and a second opening, a flow chamber defining a second cylindrical fluid flow pathway, the flow chamber being disposed within the housing between the first opening and the second opening, the flow chamber including an elongated cylindrical resistive element, and at least one elongated cylindrical tubular element for defining a plurality of annular flow passages through the flow chamber between the resistive element and the inner surface of the flow chamber, and a plurality of branched flow passages for interconnecting the annular flow passages, wherein the resistive element and the at least one tubular element direct fluid flow through the annular passages of the flow chamber for conditioning fluid flow for accurate sensing of the flow over a range of fluid flow through the housing, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening for sensing a pressure differential and producing an electric signal in response to fluid flow through the housing. The electric signal has a magnitude that corresponds with the rate of fluid flow through the housing and a sign that corresponds with the directionality of fluid flow through the housing. The spirometer is configured such that an individual can breath into the spirometer by exhaling or inhaling. The spirometer is configured to sense flowing fluid within the spirometer to provide flow data according to the fluid flow. Means are provided for evaluating a lung function according to the flow data. Means are provided for using the lung function evaluation results to tailor specific, multi-media knowledge modules to the individual.