All Clement Clarke peak flow meters are assessed for accuracy individually, before being packed. The Mini-Wright Standard and AFS Low Range are both calibrated by hand, to ensure that readings from any two meters are comparable. This enables a patient to use a Mini-Wright at home, and use a different Mini-Wright at the Clinic, yet still rely on the readings obtained.

Mini-Wright peak flow meters also have a built-in one-way valve - an individual is prevented from inhaling through the device. This reduces the risk from others who have previously used the meter. It also facilitates the use of inexpensive cardboard tubes as disposable mouthpieces.

Mini-Wrights are constructed from medical grade materials - they can be cleaned easily by agitation in mild detergent, rinsing, and allowing to dry completely.

The normal life for a peak flow meter is three years - after that time, they may need replacing.

Standard Range Mini-Wright
Suitable for most older children and adults
60-800 Litres per minute measuring range
Supplied complete with instructions for use, patient self-monitoring chart and sterilizable universal mouthpiece
AFS Low Range Mini-Wright

Low range meter specifically designed
for children and the elderly
AFS technology ensures readings comparable with those from Standard Range Mini-Wright
30-400 Litres per minute measuring range
Supplied complete with instructions for use, patient self-monitoring chart and sterilizable paediatric mouthpiece

Asthma devices 'dissuade use'

Elderly people can find inhalers difficult to use

The poor design of inhalers is a key factor in stopping asthma sufferers taking their medication, a report has said.

Design and engineering consultancy Team quizzed asthma sufferers to find out whether the design of the inhalers had any significant impact on compliance with recommended treatment regimes.

They found that the design was likely to play a far more significant role in whether an asthmatic was likely to follow doctors' orders than previously thought.

The response of one asthmatic summed up the general feeling.

He said that having the condition was bad enough, but that "asthma sufferers have to take their medicine through objects that a plumber's merchant would be ashamed to stock".

Team's managing director Jerry Turner said that the findings of the survey showed that design engineers, and their clients, would do well to re-think medical devices.

He said: "Instead of conceiving of them as drug delivery tools, those of us involved in designing and developing these products should consider them as consumer objects - as the manufacturers of pens, watches and telephones, to name but three - did years ago."

The survey found that only 29% of asthma sufferers interviewed were happy with their inhalers.

A further 29% said that a reduction in size would be desirable.