Breath Analysis Apparatus Using Time-Resolved Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the isotopic composition of breath are unreliable due to sampling limitations, as the isotopic composition changes during the exhalation cycle, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a time-resolved continuous single-breath analysis with an optical detector and multipass cell to sample the correct portion of exhaled breath, allowing for the identification of breath cycle phases and correction of measurements for environmental contamination, thereby selecting the most relevant sampling time for accurate isotopic composition determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sampling bags are used to capture only a part of the breath cycle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to isotopic composition changes during exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static sampling to dynamic real-time measurement. The optical detector continuously monitors isotopic composition throughout the breath cycle, adapting measurements to capture the dynamic changes in isotopic ratios as breath progresses from dead space to alveolar regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of breath cycle phases using reference gas species concentration measurements before conducting the actual isotopic composition measurements. This allows selective gating of data to ensure only relevant alveolar breath portions are analyzed.
2Measurement precision
If real-time continuous detection is implemented, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detector serves multiple functions: it detects both reference gas species concentrations and target isotopic composition simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems while maintaining high measurement precision for both parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference gas species act as intermediaries to identify breath cycle phases. By measuring reference species concentrations first, the system determines when alveolar breath is present, which then gates the isotopic composition measurements to ensure accuracy without requiring complex timing control.
3Quantity of substance
If the entire breath cycle is analyzed, then the quantity of data is increased, but the reliability deteriorates due to contamination by environmental air and dead space breath
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes only the relevant alveolar breath portion from the entire breath cycle. By using reference gas species to identify when alveolar breath is present, the system separates this useful portion from dead space breath and environmental air contamination, gating measurements to occur only during the appropriate phase.
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 approach enhances the sensitivity and reliability of isotopic composition analysis by ensuring that measurements represent the exhaled breath from the deep lung regions, reducing errors from random sampling and person-to-person variability, and enabling real-time, precise determination of isotopic ratios.
Implementation Method 1
Time-resolved continuous detection of gas species concentration is breath is performed using spectroscopic methods
Implementation Method 2
optical detector with a low volume multipass cell
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for breath analysis, the method comprising determining an isotopic composition profile, or a concentration profile of a species, of a first breath cycle (60); determining a threshold (70); determining a sampling time (80); and measuring the isotopic composition, or concentration of the species, during a second breath cycle at the sampling time (80) triggered by reaching the threshold (70).