ComPAS Freedom™ Testing Capabilities

ComPAS Freedom™ works with a vast array of quality instrumentation, utilizing data acquisition techniques that are proven and verifiable. Our software specialists have over 250 collective years of respiratory testing experience. Expertise that is vital when gathering data from the very sick or very young. ComPAS Freedom™ is the quintessence of data integrity.

With ComPAS Freedom™ each clinical test is first measured with great accuracy, then reviewed by the software for testing validity. Testing is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. A simple touch on [Spacebar] begins all tests.
2. When maneuvers are completed, the software checks the individual effort against ATS recommended PERFORMANCE criteria. If the effort meets these test standards, a hollow check mark provides visual confirmation.
3. Once the appropriate number of tests meet both PERFORMANCE and REPRODUCIBILITY criteria, solid check marks appear confirming that ATS standards have been met.

Spirometry

Dynamic Spirometry - Although the most widely utilized pulmonary test, it is commonly the most poorly administered and reported. Through clever use of interactive help and clinical monitoring, ComPAS Freedom™ provides excellence in spirometry. Flow Volume efforts can be completed in any order of breathing with full fidelity of the loop captured and stored. For reports, data is automatically selected by ATS criteria; however, the user can override both data and loop selection if desired.

Incentive Screens - For testing young children, brilliant incentive graphic animations are employed to encourage effort and response.
"Can you land the rocket on the moon?"

Static Spirometry - Measurements of Slow Vital Capacity (SVC) can be completed independent of other lung volume measurements. The tidal volume (FRC) baseline can be adjusted for accurate measure of Inspiratory Capacity (IC) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV).

Maximum Voluntary Ventilation

At the best of times, the MVV can be a difficult test to assess in terms of patient effort and compliance. To help determine effort, each time an MVV is performed, the data is compared to the subject's FEV1 x 35 and FEV1 x 40.

Cough Peak Flow

In some cases of neuromuscular disease, both adults and children exhibit a weak cough; measurement of Cough Peak Flow is useful to monitor expiratory muscle weakness and bulbar involvement.

Lung Volumes

ComPAS Freedom™ employs a variety of techniques for measuring the compartments of lung volume depending upon the capability of the hardware:

Plethysmography - Volume of Thoracic Gas (VTG) can be captured during an individual quiet breathing maneuver or as an integral part of an Airways Resistance (Raw) test. The routine has been particularly groomed to facilitate simplicity and ease of use in the testing of small children.

Helium Dilution - Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) is measured with careful maintenance of oxygen levels suitable for all patients, including those requiring supplemental oxygen. The maneuver is carried-out in quiet comfort for the patient with prompts for stability and options for repeated static spirometry at the test conclusion.

Nitrogen Recovery - Total Lung Capacity (TLC) can be measured during the performance of any Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO) study. This is an excellent screening method for identifying patients requiring further lung volume study. All Medisoft instruments are equipped with the necessary oxygen sensor to enable the technique.

Single Breath Nitrogen Washout - A single breath nitrogen test (SBN2) is given to assess (1) the behavior of the dependent airways and (2) the uniformity of gas distribution in the lungs. Distribution is analyzed by measuring the change in N2 concentration during expiration of the vital capacity following a single breath of 100% O2. Measurements include: Closing Capacity, Closing Volume, Slope of Phase III and Lung Volumes.

Multiple Breath Nitrogen Washout - Lung volumes are measured using a principle that N2 is washed out of the body by having the subject breathe 100% O2 for a period of approximately 7 minutes. Volume is collected along with initial and final alveolar N2 fractional concentrations to calculate FRC. With measurement of SVC the lung sub-divisions can be calculated and from the N2 washout curve Lung Clearance Index is obtained.

Single Breath Diffusion

Since the pioneering days when the test was first developed in England, testing of Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO) has been part of our heritage.  Our excellence for DLCO testing and reproducibility comes from a studied application of measurement technique and hardware design guided by watchful software. Automated procedures for system preparation coupled with precision analysis make DLCO a test that is easy to perform and highly reproducible. Utilizing both traditional and innovative means the component parts of diffusion, Membrane Diffusion (Dm) and Capillary Blood Volume (Vc) can also be determined.

Airways Resistance

Working with the magnificent Body Plethysmograph 5510, measurements of Airways Resistance (Raw) and Specific Conductance (SGaw) can be completed quickly and with ease. In routine use, a pre-test 'coaching' screen can be used to prepare the patient for testing and minimize time spent in aborted efforts. An automated routine for establishing temperature equilibrium inside the cabin ensures ideal testing conditions. When working with difficult subjects, routines that monitor each phase of the test can guide technician intervention to improve results.

Bronchial Provocation

Bronchial challenge testing is highly versatile and performed with ease in ComPAS Freedom™. Firstly, the challenge protocols can be easily designed to suit drug, exercise or cold air procedures and secondly, the test is calmly sequenced through each level with clear and straightforward displays. Never before has provocation testing been so beautifully designed and easy to accomplish!

Respiratory Muscle Strength

Maximum Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures (MIP and MEP) can be measured from TLC or RV respectively or from FRC. The lung volume at which the pressures are measured is captured by the spirometry tracing simultaneous to the test maneuver.

Exercise Testing - Exercise test data can be imported or manually entered into ComPAS Freedom™ for inclusion in comprehensive reports. Watch for news about an exciting new on-line system coming soon.

Other ComPAS Freedom™ Features

Serial Data Trending - Past patient test results can be viewed during testing, during interpretation from the Task Manager or added to any reporting format. The data can be directly presented as actual results with predicted upper and lower limits or mean. In pediatric centers, the serial trending can be presented as percent predicted with the time axis scaled and marked with the patient's age.

Manual Entry - The manual entry screens provide opportunity to include data from many other sources in the laboratory. Blood gas, oximetry, exercise, radionuclide, and respiratory pressures are just a few of the configurable entry screens.

Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)

Coming soon to ComPAS is comprehensive capability for CPET testing. The package includes synchronized 12-lead EKG coupled with highly versatile pulmonary gas exchange measurement. Test protocols and graphics can be configured to manage an elegant simple to use cardio-pulmonary study. The full power of ComPAS allows for magnificent reporting including seamless integration with PFT data and graphics, remote interpretation, EMR interfacing and research query. Already available is extensive manual entry capability and importing of 3rd party test data. Keep watching this site for further information.