Structured Light Plethysmography: new method to evaluate expiratory flow limitation in asthmatic children

Structured Light Plethysmography (SLP) is a new non-invasive method that captures and records real-time functional images of chest movement, allowing a better understanding of patient espiratory function. The system measures breathing motion using a grid of light, tracked by a digital vision system of 2 high-speed cameras. Chest movement during breathing is analyzed and displayed in terms of regional movement parameters as well as a 3D-reconstruction. In addition to showing the breathing pattern of the patient on avolume-time graph and in a dynamic 3D-representation, the tidal breathing flow/volume graph is available for immediate identification of inspiratory or expiratory flow limitation. The regional subdivision are also available with both graphical curves and numerical parameters, that can easily show and identify respiratory-related issues or abnormal contribution to the tidal volume of the different regions of the chest. It doesn’t require patient collaboration like spirometry; so it could be an alternative to evaluate pre-school children.