The pulmonary function test (PFT) induction jacket was invented to make the process of performing the forced vital capacity (FVC) manoeuvre with a computerized spirometer effortless and productive for both the patient and the medical practitioner. The jacket is composed of three layers of PVC material sealed together to form a single jacket with two chambers. The inner chamber is formed between the inner layer and the middle layer, in which cold water at a temperature of 10 °C is circulated using a connected water unit when triggered. Similarly, the outer chamber is formed between the middle layer and the outer layer, in which air is pressurized using a connected air unit. Thirty volunteers performed the FVC manoeuvre with and without wearing the jacket. There was no difference between the results in spirometry parameters in the participants without a jacket and those with a jacket. However, use of the jacket significantly reduced the number of trials the participants had to undergo to perform spirometry. The jacket automated the FVC manoeuvre by triggering a physiological inspiratory gasp using cold water and circumscribing pressurized air for expiration. Additionally, subsequent advancements in the jacket have been suggested.
Simple compound microscopy is widely used across the globe. However, contrast and resolution fascinate students and are difficult to learn due to their limited practical experience. Although the laws of physics have been derived thoroughly, their real implementation in the human body is uncertain. This study quantifies contrast and resolution through human perception and technological tools and assesses the degree of overlap between physics and physiology. Thus, an opaque repository for a compound microscope with a mobile holder is devised to capture the images of Leishman-stained smears and USAF targets. Another receptacle is fabricated to hold coloured filters against a light bulb, which projects on the microscope mirror through a connecting pipe. The images with a different sequence of filters are subjected to analysis by volunteers and using digital image processing techniques. The perception of contrast and resolution through the human eye and digital processing shows an overlap of 82.57% for contrast and 76.40% for resolution. Also, participants opt for contrast (81.66%) against the resolution (75.51%). The preferred sequence of light for contrast and resolution is white > green > blue > red and white > blue > green > red, respectively. Green > blue > red is preceded by white when both contrast and resolution are examined concurrently. Thus, the integrated role of the two disciplines in learning contrast and resolution has been studied and evaluated practically beyond the limits of the textbook on a hands-on basis. Simultaneously, the subjective selection of resolution or contrast using low-cost colour filters is an affordable approach to upgrade a microscope.
Graphical abstract
The pulmonary function test (PFT) induction jacket was invented to make the process of performing the forced vital capacity (FVC) manoeuvre with a computerized spirometer effortless and productive for both the patient and the medical practitioner. The jacket is composed of three layers of PVC material sealed together to form a single jacket with two chambers. The inner chamber is formed between the inner layer and the middle layer, in which cold water at a temperature of 10 °C is circulated using a connected water unit when triggered. Similarly, the outer chamber is formed between the middle layer and the outer layer, in which air is pressurized using a connected air unit. Thirty volunteers performed the FVC manoeuvre with and without wearing the jacket. There was no difference between the results in spirometry parameters in the participants without a jacket and those with a jacket. However, use of the jacket significantly reduced the number of trials the participants had to undergo to successfully perform spirometry. The jacket has automated the FVC manoeuvre by triggering a physiological inspiratory gasp using cold water and circumscribing pressurised air for expiration. Additionally, subsequent advancements in the jacket have been suggested.
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