Biophotogrammetry model of respiratory motion analysis applied to children.

This study aimed to test a protocol of measurements based on Biophotogrammetry to Analysis of Respiratory Mechanics (BARM) in healthy children. Seventeen normal spirometric children (six male and 11 female) were tested. Their performed maneuvers of forced inspiratory vital capacity were recorded in the supine position. The images were acquired by a digital camera, laterally placed to the trunk. Surface markers allowed that the files, exported to CorelDraw® software, were processed by irregular trapezoids paths. Compartments were defined in the thoracic (TX), abdominal (AB) and the chest wall (CW). They were defined at the end of an inspiration and expiration, both maximum, controlled by a digital spirometer. The result showed that the measured areas at the inspiratory and expiratory periods were statistically different (p<0.05). It reflects the mobility of CW and compartments. In conclusion, the proposed method can identify the breathing pattern of the measured subject using images in two dimensions (2D).