Abstract: An equine respiratory detection device provides an inexpensive, portable appliance for evaluating equine health. A muzzle or mouthpiece attaches to the equine mouth region for sealably engaging with the respiratory pathway. The mouthpiece attached to a tubular vessel having a volumetric sensing apparatus for measuring respiratory inflow and outflow rates. The sensing apparatus includes a hot wire anemometer and sensing circuit for sensing flow rates based on changing electrical characteristics of a sensing element resulting from a temperature and humidity of the respiratory gases. Inhaling results in inflow gases having a cooling effect on a thermistor which affects the current flow in the sensor circuit. Similarly, exhaled outflow gases have increased temperature and humidity which allow identification of bidirectional flow and computation of an overall respiration volume to the equine patient subject.

Abstract: An equine respiratory detection device provides an inexpensive, portable appliance for evaluating equine health. A muzzle or mouthpiece attaches to the equine mouth region for sealably engaging with the respiratory pathway. The mouthpiece attached to a tubular vessel having a volumetric sensing apparatus for measuring respiratory inflow and outflow rates. The sensing apparatus includes a hot wire anemometer and sensing circuit for sensing flow rates based on changing electrical characteristics of a sensing element resulting from a temperature and humidity of the respiratory gases. Inhaling results in inflow gases having a cooling effect on a thermistor which affects the current flow in the sensor circuit. Similarly, exhaled outflow gases have increased temperature and humidity which allow identification of bidirectional flow and computation of an overall respiration volume to the equine patient subject.