A telemetric device for measuring smoking topography

The Telemetric Topography Device (TTD) introduces new technology to the measurement of cigarette smoking topography that has advantages over existing instruments. It consists of a 90.8-g miniature vacuum transducer coupled to an FM transmitter contained within a 11/4-in.-diameter × 41/4-in. free-standing plastic cylinder. As a subject smokes through a modified commercial cigarette holder, the TTD transmits a tone proportional to the vacuum pressure change in the cylinder. Received tones are converted to voltage data and then digitized by an A/D board in a personal computer. This information can either be displayed and stored on line or recorded on audio tape and digitized during playback. The TTD has no visible electronic parts, thereby minimizing subjects’ awareness of monitoring.