The SFM3xxx and SFM4xxx platforms consist of multiple flow sensors with comprehensive capabilities for a diverse range of applications. All the sensors share the characteristics of high accuracy and robustness. The fully calibrated and temperature-compensated sensors accurately measure the flow rates of air and other gases bidirectionally. They impress with their very low pressure drop and fast signal sampling.

Your benefits at a glance:

• Fully calibrated sensors and flow modules, no need for re-calibration
• Bi-directional capability
• No drift over time
• Demonstrated long-term repeatability and stability
• Multi-gas calibration
• Highest accuracy in market at low flows
• Fastest integration time with broadest flow portfolio

Sensirion's inspiratory flow sensors are typically used inside the ventilator to measure the individual air/O₂/heliox gas lines as well as the total flow of the mixed gas before delivery to the patient. Our sensor platform includes sensors for flow measurement at ambient pressures (SFM3xxx series) and sensors for placement on the high-pressure side upstream of the proportional valves (SFM4xxx).

Selected Reference Projects

• Philips, Trilogy Evo
• Vyaire, iX5
• Hamilton, C6

Sensirion’s expiratory flow sensors offer outstanding performance at low flow rates and very low pressure drops, as required in the expiratory limb. Thanks to their robustness, the sensors can be treated in an autoclave, making them easy to sterilize and thus reusable. As expiratory flow measurements work with humid respired air, a special, externally controllable heating element has been integrated that helps prevent condensation inside the flow sensor.

Selected Reference Projects

• Philips, VX850

Sensirion's proximal flow sensors are designed specifically for adults or neonates with integrated fully bidirectional flow calibrations and an on-board heater to combat humid breathing environments without jeopardizing flow signal integrity. Both come in re-usable and single-use variants.

Selected Reference Projects

• Weinmann, Medumat Standard^₂
• Philips, Trilogy Evo

For quick and easy testing, a ready-to-use kit is available for each flow sensor. Together with the provided software and the engineering guide, it enables a plug and play connection between the sensor and a PC. More information about the evaluation kits can be found here.

The evaluation kits can be ordered directly from our distributors.

Flow sensors for medical ventilators - All you need to know

In this webinar, our expert Lucas Oehen, Medical Market Manager, gives a short introduction to ventilation and presents innovative solutions to solve commonly encountered challenges with flow measurements in ventilation. The technology, different flow sensors solutions and Sensirion’s application know how and support are discussed.

What you can learn from this webinar?

• Learn more about the typical ventilation flow-path design, common challenges and the technology of our gas flow sensors
• Find out why Sensirion as a sensor expert can provide the ideal solution for your ventilation Projects
• Learn more about inspiratory, expiratory and proximal flow measurement in ventilation and the different sensor Options

Watch now!

Flow Sensor Solutions in Modern Medical Ventilators

The use and spread of ventilators will continue to grow strongly in the future due to the increasing number of lung diseases. Modern ventilators place ever-growing demands on sensors in order to set the focus on the patients and their therapy. Sensirion's CMOSens^® Technology has established a new generation of flow sensors that have proven their reliability millions of times in the field of CPAP devices. This technological advantage will enable manufacturers to realize the next quantum leaps in ventilation. Read the complete specialist article here. 

These specialist articles might be of interest to you: 

• Gas Flow Sensing Technology in Medical Ventilation Devices
• Single-Use Proximal Flow Sensors

"Sensirion was the ideal partner. Their expertise and support accelerated our development phase and the robust design of the sensors contributes to the success of the MEDUMAT ventilator."

Andreas Sommer, Head of Systems Engineering at WEINMANN

"Sensirion’s initiative taken to rapidly scale their flow sensor manufacturing with a new product allowed our team to develop the system in under two months with future proof technology."

John Walmsley, Executive VP of Strategic Relationships at StarFish Med