Exhaled Breath Analysis via Electrostatic Particle Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exhaled breath analysis methods require a significant amount of time to produce a sufficient condensate for analysis, making it difficult for critical care patients and imposing physical and mental strain on users, especially weaker individuals.

Innovation Solution

A breath analysis apparatus with a vessel containing a cooling unit and electrode zones that condense exhaled breath on the outer peripheral surface, forming charged fine particles through electrostatic atomization, which are then recovered and detected for volatile organic compounds, allowing for efficient and rapid analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional cold condensation method is used to collect exhaled breath condensate, then the analysis can be performed, but a long time period is required to obtain sufficient condensate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required for condensate collectionVSAvoidanalysis speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical cold condensation system with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of relying on thermal cooling to condense breath components, the invention uses electrostatic fields to directly attract and concentrate volatile organic compounds and other breath components onto collection surfaces, dramatically reducing collection time while maintaining analysis quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from temperature-based condensation to electric field-based concentration. By applying voltage to generate electrostatic fields, the system concentrates breath components without requiring prolonged cooling periods, thus reducing time loss and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If electrospraying method is used to concentrate exhaled breath components, then concentration can be achieved, but a large quantity of condensate must be reserved in a vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensate volume requiredVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and concentrates only the essential volatile organic compounds and breath components using electrostatic fields, separating them from the bulk water vapor and other non-volatile components. This selective extraction allows analysis with minimal condensate volume, eliminating the need for large storage vessels while maintaining sufficient sample quantity for accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If conventional breath analysis methods are used, then analysis can be performed, but physical and mental strain is imposed on users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical condensation processes with rapid electrostatic concentration. The electrostatic field-based system quickly attracts and concentrates breath components without requiring prolonged user breath holding or complex manual operations, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the time users must spend during the analysis process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This method significantly reduces the time required for exhaled breath analysis and minimizes the physical strain on users by efficiently collecting and detecting exhaled breath components within a short period.

Implementation Method 1

condensing the exhaled breath on the outer peripheral surface of the electrode zone by cooling the electrode zone with the cooling unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

forming charged fine particles from the condensed breath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic atomization: Electrohydrodynamics

Implementation Method 3

recovering the charged fine particles into the chemical substance detection unit by an electrostatic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS7972277B2Exhaled breath analysis method

Publication Date: 2011.07.05 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

Handling of the condensate collecting vessel in conventional breath analysis apparatuses having a cold condensation mechanism is complicated, and time consuming.The present invention provides a method for analyzing exhaled breath using a breath analysis apparatus, the breath analysis apparatus including: a vessel; an injection port of the exhaled breath; an outlet port of the exhaled breath; a cooling unit; an electrode zone; a counter electrode zone; and a chemical substance detection unit, in which the exhaled breath contains water vapor and a volatile organic compound, the volatile organic compound having a molecular weight of no lower than 15 and no higher than 500, and the method for exhaled breath analysis comprising the steps of: injecting the exhaled breath from the injection port into the vessel; condensing the exhaled breath on the outer peripheral surface of the electrode zone by cooling the electrode zone with the cooling unit; forming charged fine particles from the condensed breath; recovering the charged fine particles into the chemical substance detection unit by an electrostatic force; and detecting the volatile organic compound included in the charged fine particles recovered.