Removable Breath Alcohol Sampling Chamber with Hydrophobic Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breath alcohol testing systems fail to adequately prevent disease transmission and tampering, as they do not fully replace sampling system components between test subjects, and the disposable mouthpieces lack data collection capabilities for breath sample characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A removable tamper-resistant sampling chamber assembly with hydrophobic membranes and one-way valves that directs gas flow to protect the alcohol sensor and other components from bodily fluids and microorganisms, while allowing deep-lung breath samples to be collected without dilution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a removable mouthpiece is used to prevent disease transmission, then disease transmission risk is reduced, but sampling system components still remain contaminated and can transmit disease between subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate replaceable components: the sample chamber assembly (containing inlet chamber, sample chamber, and hydrophobic membranes) can be detached and replaced independently from the main device body. This segmentation allows complete replacement of all components that contact breath samples, eliminating the risk of microorganism transmission through retained components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample chamber assembly is extracted as a separate removable unit from the main testing device. This extracted assembly includes all components that come into contact with the breath sample (inlet chamber, sample chamber, hydrophobic membranes), allowing complete removal and replacement of potentially contaminated components while leaving the expensive sensor electronics intact.
2Measurement precision
If precision pumps and valves are used to control sample flow, then accurate calibration is achieved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the subject's own breath pressure to automatically drive the sampling process. The positive pressure from the subject's exhalation opens the one-way valve and pushes the plunger, eliminating the need for external precision pumps and complex electronic control systems. The subject's breath serves as the driving force for sample delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex electronic precision pumps and valves are replaced with simple passive mechanical components: a one-way valve and a pressure-driven plunger mechanism. The mechanical design relies on pressure differential and one-way flow control rather than active electronic control, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining sampling accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heated tubes are used to prevent condensation, then alcohol content stability is improved, but microorganism growth is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The breath sample is processed immediately upon collection through the one-way valve directly into the sample chamber and then to the fuel cell. This preliminary action eliminates the need for long heated transport tubes by completing the sampling process quickly within a compact chamber, preventing both condensation and microorganism growth during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a linear long-tube architecture to a compact three-dimensional chamber structure. The sample chamber provides a short, direct path from inlet to fuel cell entrance, eliminating the need for extended heated tubes while maintaining alcohol content stability through rapid processing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the mouthpiece is disposable, then disease transmission is reduced, but data on breath sample characteristics cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable sample chamber assembly is merged with electronic sensors (pressure sensor, temperature sensor) and data processing capabilities. This combination allows the collection of breath sample characteristic data (pressure, temperature, volume) while maintaining the disposable nature of the chamber, eliminating the trade-off between disposability and data collection.
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
The solution effectively prevents disease transmission and tampering, while enhancing data acquisition by ensuring high-quality breath samples are analyzed without contamination or interference, thus safeguarding the testing device's components and providing accurate results.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic membrane to block bodily fluids from passing through to the alcohol sensor
Implementation Method 2
a one-way valve to ensure that deep-lung breath samples are delivered to the alcohol sensor
Implementation Method 3
an alcohol sensor that oxidizes any alcohol present in the breath sample and outputs an electrical signal based on the amount of alcohol present in the sample
Data Source
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AI summary
A breath alcohol testing device (10) has a removable tamper-resistant sampling chamber assembly (20) that provides a disposable interface between the test subject and the alcohol sensor (16), other sensors and electronics of the testing device (10). Hydrophobic membranes (36,46,56) prevent bodily fluids and other liquids from entering the alcohol sensor (16) and other sensitive components of the testing device (10). A set of chambers (30,40) with one-way valves (32,42) direct the gas flow within the sample chamber assembly (20) to ensure the breath sample delivered to the alcohol sensor (16) is not diluted by the subject inhaling, and is a deep-lung breath sample.