A1 Acoustic Rhinometer The following presentation gives an overview of the main functions of the A1Acoustic Rhinometer, it’s accessories and normal operational procedures. The following presentation gives an overview of the main functions of the A1Acoustic Rhinometer, it’s accessories and normal operational procedures.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Interface Cards The system comprises the A1 Rhinometer linked to an IBM or compatible PC through either a PCI or PCMCIA interface card. PCI cards are used with desktop PC’s and PCMCIA with notebook PC’s. The system comprises the A1 Rhinometer linked to an IBM or compatible PC through either a PCI or PCMCIA interface card. PCI cards are used with desktop PC’s and PCMCIA with notebook PC’s.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software/Hardware Software capable of running with Windows from 95 up to XP is provided. Software capable of running with Windows from 95 up to XP is provided. The standard sound tube is used with adults and children from about 5 years. The standard sound tube is used with adults and children from about 5 years. Smaller alternatives are available Smaller alternatives are available

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Accessories Connection to patients is by means of nose adaptors which are available in medium and large sizes. They are supplied in pairs as they are profiled to fit the shape of the nose. An improved seal can be obtained by using gel on the top face. Connection to patients is by means of nose adaptors which are available in medium and large sizes. They are supplied in pairs as they are profiled to fit the shape of the nose. An improved seal can be obtained by using gel on the top face.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software The software opens on the patient details tab. The software opens on the patient details tab. All of the fields shown can be moved, deleted, edited or altered to define which character type and number of characters are allowed. All of the fields shown can be moved, deleted, edited or altered to define which character type and number of characters are allowed. One field can be set as the file name for the patient One field can be set as the file name for the patient

Under Tools and View it is possible to select the colour used for any element on the screen and also on the printouts. Under Tools and View it is possible to select the colour used for any element on the screen and also on the printouts. It is also possible to define the line style and thickness used. It is also possible to define the line style and thickness used. A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software

Under the Acoustic tab you can set Under the Acoustic tab you can set The distance range over which volume is calculated The distance range over which volume is calculated The distance range over which the system looks for minimum areas (turning points) The distance range over which the system looks for minimum areas (turning points)

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software (continued) You can also specify up to 5 additional distance sectors over which volume is calculated and You can also specify up to 5 additional distance sectors over which volume is calculated and Up to 5 fixed distances into the nose at which points the area present will be reported. Up to 5 fixed distances into the nose at which points the area present will be reported.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software (continued) The scale used for the vertical axis can be reduced or expanded and can be changed from logarithmic to linear. The scale used for the vertical axis can be reduced or expanded and can be changed from logarithmic to linear. The scale used for the distance axis can be reduced or expanded. The scale used for the distance axis can be reduced or expanded. The scale used when curves are shown in linear mode can also be changed. The scale used when curves are shown in linear mode can also be changed.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software (continued) Under the Acquisition tab the number of curves comprising a test and the time delay between curves can be altered. Under the Acquisition tab the number of curves comprising a test and the time delay between curves can be altered. You can also change the time delay between curve measurements. You can also change the time delay between curve measurements.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Software (Continued) The Executive versions of A1 are supplied with a model artificial nose to allow the performance of the system to be checked. The Executive versions of A1 are supplied with a model artificial nose to allow the performance of the system to be checked. Provision has been made to allow other nose models, perhaps for different populations to be added. Provision has been made to allow other nose models, perhaps for different populations to be added. The standard nose with sound tube is shown on the right. The standard nose with sound tube is shown on the right.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Switch on A1 and start the program. Fit the calibration plug to the end of the sound tube. If the patient has not been tested before, select the Patient tab and enter Patient details. If they have been tested before click on OPEN and select their file.

Click on the Acquire button at the top of the screen. Check that the calibration plug is still in the sound tube, then click on CALIBRATE. Look for a message saying Calibration Complete A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation

Select side to tell the system whether you want to measure the RIGHT or LEFT side of the nose. Look at the patient and decide whether you need to use medium or large size nosepieces. Select a blue nosepiece to measure the left side and a red nosepiece for the right side.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Fit the nosepiece to the sound tube, position it on the side of the nose selected earlier with the pointed section of the nosepiece towards the centre. Fit the nosepiece to the sound tube, position it on the side of the nose selected earlier with the pointed section of the nosepiece towards the centre. Ask the patient to hold the sound tube gently in position while you check to see if the nose is distorted. Move the sound tube if required. Ask the patient to hold the sound tube gently in position while you check to see if the nose is distorted. Move the sound tube if required. Ask the patient to breath gently in and out through their nose to see if a leak is present. Ask the patient to breath gently in and out through their nose to see if a leak is present.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation When you are happy with positioning, ask the patient to open their mouth and mouth breathe. Tell them that when you say so, take a breath in and hold their breath. Ask them to do that and then click on the red button to take in data.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Over the next couple of seconds curves will show on the screen, after which you can remove the sound tube from the patient. Curves can be viewed, and if required, deselected by using the tick boxes on the right side of the screen

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation The volume between previously set distances into the nose is displayed below the curves along with the position and distance into the nose of the first 2 minimum areas found. The test is added to the patient test list to the left of the screen. Comments can now be added to the scroll box on the bottom left of screen.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Testing of the other side of the nose, or additional testing on this side, can now be performed. The new curves will be added to the test list for that patient. Comparisons of various kinds can now be made.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Comparisons can be made between any two left or any two right side curves. Also between any left and right side result. The picture shows a left/right comparison in linear view, but you can also superimpose them or show them separately in horizontal or vertical split views.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation This picture shows the same curve in horizontal split view. Below the curves see:- The volume between a number of preset distances into the nose and the first two minimum areas, for LEFT side and RIGHT side. Percentage differences between the LEFT and RIGHT values are calculated and shown.

A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation Having created a combined LEFT/RIGHT test result, you can compare this with another in ANALYSIS view. Additional values are calculated and PRE/POST graphical displays created.

A printout of any result shown on the screen can be made by clicking on the PRINT button. A more sophisticated printout can be created by selecting the OUTPUT tab. A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation

Any of the files in the patient test list can be selected for printout by clicking in the appropriate tick box. The system will add the patient details to the top of the first page

The final operation in a test sequence will be to save the new results to the patient record file. This is done by clicking on the save button which generates a SAVE AS dialog box, which will show the name of the file already opened, in the case of someone who has been tested before, or the name from the patient details tab designated to be the file name. A1 Acoustic Rhinometer Operation

Having saved/updated the previous records, click on NEW to start testing a patient new to the system, or click on OPEN to add records to someone who has already been tested, or on EXIT to close the program.