NOTE DUE Transducer Manufacturer Supply Issues, Microtronics is no longer offering the Model MTST Transducers.
MicroTronics offers two types of transducers for the SAR System. These are the standard MTST transducer set (system model MTSAR1) and the Setra Systems Model -239 transducers (system model MTSAR2). The primary difference between the Model 239 and the MTST transducer is the the pressure range available for oral pressure measurement. The Model 239 has a greater pressure range which may be advantages for those doing cough research or any study which may involve above normal oral pressures (such as studying voice abuse).
A few more comparison points are:
The MicroTronics MTST-3 transducer set is a single packaged set of 3 solid state
transducers. Two of the transducers are for pressure and one is for flow. This transducer
package is designed to connect to the SARS unit using a single connector. The MTST
transducer sets are manufactured by MicroTronics using solid state transducer modules.
The MTST response time is better than the Model 239 as they are rated at 1
ms, however this fact is only significant to users who may wish to do
research using very accurate timing measurements such as measuring voice
onset time or measuring pressure-flow waveform rise-times.
The MTST transducers have slightly more baseline drift than the Model 239. That is to say, the baseline (system zero) point for the MTST transducers may change and that zero condition may need to be reset more frequently. Reseting the zero condition is easy to do and is simply a matter of (while in sample mode) select ZERO SYSTEM from the options menu and then clicking the Establish Zero button on the Channel Monitor screen that is displayed. Then click OK to return back to sample mode.
It is recommended that the power be turned on for both transducer models approximately 15 minutes before use. For the MTST model, while it is not necessary to ZERO SYSTEM before each sample it is recommended that system zero be established before each patient or subject.
The MicroTronics MT-239 is a variable capacitance type transducer packaged as a single unit and each transducer connects to the SARS unit using a separate connector. The MT-239 transducers are manufactured by Setra Systems and have long been our "gold standard". They have a good response time (<3ms) and have essentially no drift. We have marketed the model 239s for more than fifteen years. The transducers are extremely durable and have an excellent service history.
While the MTST transducers are not as drift free as the model MT239 their considerable lower cost makes them an attractive replacement option for the model 239s.
SARS Tranducer Specifications