State-of-the-art Body Plethysmograph Inaugurated at KMC Manipal


Manipal, May 15, 2025: In a major step forward for respiratory healthcare and research in coastal Karnataka, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, inaugurated a cutting-edge body plethysmograph, marking a significant milestone in advanced pulmonary diagnostics.
The new facility was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, former Dean of KMC Manipal, and Dr. Anand Venugopal, COO, Teaching Hospital, MAHE. The event was held in the presence of Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital; Mr. Anandhkumar K, Regional Sales Manager at Schiller Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Manu Mohan K, Professor and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine; along with senior doctors from the department.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Padmaraj Hegde highlighted the clinical importance of the new equipment. “Body plethysmography is a vital diagnostic tool for chronic respiratory conditions like COPD, asthma, and ILD. It aids not just in diagnosis but also in long-term patient management, both in outpatient and inpatient settings,” he said. He also noted its potential for supporting clinical research and academic endeavors, calling it a valuable addition to the institution’s infrastructure.

Explaining the technological capabilities of the plethysmograph, Dr. Manu Mohan K said, “Unlike traditional spirometry or DLCO tests, this system allows us to measure residual lung volume and total lung capacity (TLC), offering a more complete picture of lung function. It performs spirometry, TLC, and DLCO sequentially in a single session, streamlining the diagnostic process.”
He further noted the system’s importance in preoperative evaluations, particularly for patients undergoing thoracic surgeries, where precise lung function data is critical for surgical planning and patient safety.
The installation of this advanced plethysmograph is the first of its kind in coastal Karnataka, reinforcing KMC Manipal’s commitment to providing top-tier medical diagnostics and strengthening its position as a leader in respiratory medicine and research.