• Object ID: 00000018WIA30921870GYZ
  • Topic ID: id_40024798 Version: 1.18
  • Date: Sep 6, 2022 3:43:21 AM

Respiratory exam

About this task

The Respiratory sensor is a device that detects the motion of the abdominal wall. It is used with the Respiratory Gating/Triggering and Respiratory Compensation Imaging Options to monitor the patient's breathing motion for chest and abdominal scans.

Figure 1. Respiratory bellows
  • Respiratory bellows that connect to the PAC.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Observe the motion of the patient's chest and abdomen during normal breathing. Put the respiratory device over the area where there is the greatest breathing motion.
    Figure 2. Respiratory bellows placement: adjust bellows for the optimum respiratory waveform
  2. When using the respiratory bellows, follow these steps.
    1. Fasten the respiratory bellows with the Velcro® straps.
    2. Placement of the respiratory bellows should be snug, but stretched as little as possible.
    3. The respiratory bellows should expand and contract approximately ½ to 1 inch with the patient's breathing.
      Figure 3. Expansion of bellows
      Table 1. Bellows image legend
      NumberDescription
      1Respiratory bellows correctly stretched
      2Respiratory bellows too loose; breathing may not be detected
      3Respiratory bellows too tight; breathing may not be detected due to gain set too high
    4. Without bending or kinking the respiratory bellows, route the tubing down the center of the table to the connection ports.
  3. Once the respiratory device is in place, give the system about 60 seconds to stabilize, then check the respiratory signal.
    • From the IRD, display the respiratory wave form screen to evaluate the respiratory signal.
      Figure 4. IRD Respiratory waveform
  4. If the patient is a very deep breather, place a stiff foam pad or several folded sheets over the patient's abdomen, adjacent to the costal margin.
    • Do not place the padding over the respiratory device.
    • When the patient exhales, fasten the standard wide compression bands tightly over the pad.
  5. Landmark the patient.
  6. From the operator console, in the Footer area, click the Gating, Fan, Light icon ().

    Result

    The Gating Control screen appears.
  7. On the Gating Control screen, select RESP in the Waveform Display area.
    • Verify that the trigger marks appear on the waveform.
    • The triggers indicate the system is adequately detecting the respiratory pattern. If they do not appear, reposition the bellows.
      Figure 5. Respiratory Waveform
  8. Check the messages in the system status display area.
    • The Resp OK message indicates the system is detecting the respiratory signal and the gain is properly set. You should receive this message before continuing with scanning.
    • The Resp Missing message indicates the signal is not being detected. This may be due to a kink or bend in the tubing, disconnected tubing or a leak in the tubing, or a change in the patient's breathing pattern. The patient's breathing may have quieted and the bellows need to be adjusted to compensate for the change.
  9. If using a respiratory device with Respiratory Gating/Triggering Imaging Options, see Respiratory Gating/Triggering for Respiratory tab details.