Handheld Breath Analyte Detection Device with Audio Sampling
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breath acetone measurement devices face challenges in accuracy and reproducibility due to issues with sample timing, sensor sensitivity, and analyte differentiation, particularly in portable, user-operated devices that lack controlled testing conditions and must distinguish between multiple analytes in human breath.
Innovation Solution
A breath analyte device that uses an audio sensor to determine the end-of-breath sampling time and selects analyte sensors based on their response to target and other breath analytes, including an acetone sensor and hydrogen sensor, to provide accurate and reproducible measurements without the need for complex equipment, making it handheld and user-friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple analyte sensors are used to distinguish between different analytes in breath, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the breath analysis task into segments by using multiple specialized sensors (acetone sensor, hydrogen sensor, and other analyte sensors), where each sensor is optimized for detecting specific analytes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for different analytes while managing complexity through modular sensor architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements a universal sensor selection mechanism that can dynamically choose which analyte sensors to activate based on the specific measurement requirements. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware platform to handle various analyte detection scenarios, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If end-of-breath sampling is used to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to audio sensor integration and breath phase detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio sensor as an intermediary device that indirectly detects breath phase by listening to breath sounds. This intermediary approach allows the system to determine end-of-breath timing without directly monitoring breath flow, thereby improving measurement precision while adding relatively simple audio detection capability rather than complex flow sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical breath flow sensing with acoustic detection. Instead of using complex mechanical sensors to monitor breath phase, the system uses audio sensors to detect breath sounds and infer timing information, substituting a simpler acoustic field-based approach for mechanical measurement.
3Reliability
If sensor refresh and temperature control are implemented to improve consistency, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sensor refresh cycles where the acetone sensor is periodically heated to elevated temperatures to burn off adsorbed chemicals and regenerate the sensor surface. This periodic action, controlled by the pump and temperature management system, maintains sensor reliability and measurement consistency while managing energy consumption through scheduled rather than continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A breath analyte device includes a breath volume in fluid communication with a sampling volume. The device also includes a sampling sensor configured to generate a breath signal that varies in response to changes in gas pressure (e.g., sound waves) in the breath volume and one or more analyte sensors configured to generate one or more analyte signals that vary in response to a concentration of one or more target analytes present in the sampling volume. A control unit is configured to determine a time at which to measure the concentration of target analytes in the sampling volume based on the breath signal and measure the concentration of the target analytes based on the analyte signals at the determined time. The device may also include a pump configured to motivate gas from the breath volume into the sampling volume prior to measuring the concentration of the target analytes.