Atomized Indicator Fluid for Low-Volume Breath Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breath analysis systems require large volumes of exhaled breath for meaningful assessment, which can be problematic for uncooperative subjects or those with compromised pulmonary systems.
Innovation Solution
A highly sensitive breath analysis system that utilizes a reaction chamber with a receiving substrate and an indicator fluid delivery system, capable of analyzing small breath sample sizes by dispensing indicator fluid as atomized droplets with a high reactable surface area, allowing for detection of analytes in low concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional breath analysis systems are used, then meaningful assessment can be achieved, but large volumes of breath are required which is problematic for uncooperative or compromised subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the indicator fluid from liquid to aerosol form, which dramatically increases the surface area available for reaction. This parameter change allows the system to achieve the same analytical sensitivity with much smaller breath volumes, directly resolving the contradiction between reducing breath volume and maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator fluid undergoes a phase transition from liquid to aerosol (dispersed liquid droplets in gas), which increases the reactable surface area by several orders of magnitude. This phase transition enables highly sensitive analyte detection in small breath samples, allowing meaningful assessment with minimal breath volume from compromised subjects
2Quantity of substance
If large breath samples are collected, then adequate analyte quantity is obtained, but the process becomes problematic for subjects with compromised pulmonary systems
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the indicator fluid to aerosol form with dramatically increased surface area, the system requires much smaller breath volumes to obtain adequate analyte quantity. This makes breath collection feasible for subjects with compromised pulmonary systems who cannot provide large breath samples
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator fluid is pre-formed as an aerosol with high surface area before contact with the breath sample. This preliminary preparation ensures that even small breath volumes contain sufficient analytes to react with the pre-positioned aerosol indicator, eliminating the need to collect large breath volumes from difficult subjects
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective analysis of analytes in small breath samples, reducing the required breath volume significantly compared to conventional systems, making it suitable for subjects with compromised respiratory function or those who cannot provide large breath samples.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction chamber comprises a piezoelectric disc actuator configured to convert the liquid into a plurality of droplets
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of droplets of indicator fluid comprises a reactable surface area of at least about 2000 square centimeters per gram (cm2/g) of indicator fluid
Implementation Method 3
the sensor comprises an optical sensor, and/or a chemical sensor capable of detecting and/or quantifying one or more reaction products
Implementation Method 4
a chemical sensor capable of detecting and/or quantifying one or more reaction products
Implementation Method 5
the receiving substrate is positioned inside the reaction chamber and is configured to receive a reaction product from a reaction between the subject's breath and an indicator fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods of collecting, processing, and analyzing breath exhaled from a subject. Specifically, described herein are systems and methods for minimizing the amount of breath needed for analysis. Further disclosed herein are systems and methods to analyze compounds contained in a subject's breath that are indicative of certain ailments and/or present in a low concentration in the subject's breath. The systems can include a reaction chamber, a breath inlet, a reactant inlet, a fluid atomizer, and a receiving substrate for analyzing the process subject's breath. The methods can include reacting a subject's breath with a reactant to analyze the contents of the subject's breath.