Device and method for the analysis of the air exhaled by a subject in order to measure the basal metabolism thereof

Abstract

A device and a method for the analysis of the air exhaled by a subject in order to measure basal metabolism of the subject comprise a main line for a sampling flow of the air exhaled by a subject who breathes spontaneously or a subject undergoing assisted pulmonary ventilation. A mixing mini-chamber is provided for mixing a plurality of air sampling flows exhaled by the subject within a number of respiratory cycles. Sensors for sensing the oxygen concentration and the carbon dioxide concentration respectively measure the oxygen concentration and the carbon dioxide concentration within the air flow in the main line. The device further comprises an electronic control unit which processes signals from the sensors for obtaining a measurement of metabolism of the subject within a number of respiratory cycles. The electronic control unit is further programmed for automatically starting, upon switching on the device, a self-calibration stage of the device, by connecting the main line to a calibration line while causing the calibration flow to pass through a by-pass line by-passing the mixing mini-chamber, so that the calibration can be performed immediately, without requiring a filling of the mixing mini-chamber.