Exhaled Breath Buffer Chamber for Nitric Oxide Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring nitric oxide in exhaled breath are limited by the need for a substantial chamber size to collect a 0.15L sample, which restricts device design and increases size and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device with a buffer chamber and bifurcating fluid conduits that discard a larger portion of exhaled breath, allowing a smaller sample to be measured, featuring adjustable flow cross-section areas and a compact buffer conduit design to minimize dilution and enable measurement of nitric oxide concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a substantial chamber size is used to collect a 0.15L sample according to standardized protocols, then measurement accuracy and protocol compliance are improved, but device size and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the exhaled breath collection into two separate fluid conduits: a first fluid conduit that collects a larger portion of exhaled breath (including dead space volume) and a second fluid conduit that collects a smaller, optimized sample volume. This segmentation allows the device to comply with measurement protocols while using a smaller overall chamber size, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The device extracts and discards the dead space portion of exhaled breath through the first fluid conduit before collecting the measurement sample through the second fluid conduit. By removing the unnecessary dead space volume from the collection process, the device achieves protocol-compliant measurements with a smaller required sample volume, thus reducing the chamber size needed.
2Quantity of substance
If a larger portion of exhaled breath is discarded through the first fluid conduit, then the required sample volume for measurement is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the bifurcating conduit system
Solution Approach 1:
The bifurcating fluid conduit system segments the exhaled breath flow into two separate paths: a first fluid conduit for discarding the dead space portion and a second fluid conduit for collecting the measurement sample. This segmentation enables the device to discard a larger portion of exhaled breath while maintaining a simple, modular conduit architecture that minimizes overall device complexity.
3Volume of stationary object
If the buffer chamber volume is reduced to minimize device size, then device compactness is improved, but sample dilution may increase affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a segmented collection approach where the first fluid conduit collects and discards the dead space volume, and the second fluid conduit collects a concentrated measurement sample. By separating the collection paths, the device can use a smaller buffer chamber volume while preventing sample dilution, as the measurement sample is collected after the dead space has been removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary action by collecting and discarding the dead space portion of exhaled breath through the first fluid conduit before the measurement sample is collected through the second fluid conduit. This preliminary removal of dead space ensures that the subsequent sample collection occurs during the alveolar phase when nitric oxide concentration is stable and representative, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy with a smaller buffer chamber.
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 the construction of a smaller, more energy-efficient device capable of accurately measuring nitric oxide in exhaled breath, adhering to standardized measurement protocols while minimizing sample dilution.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for measuring a component in the exhaled breath buffered in the buffer chamber
Implementation Method 2
The buffer chamber is configured to buffer a second part of exhaled breath received from the first fluid conduit
Implementation Method 3
a first fluid conduit in fluid connection with the inlet and adapted to lead a first portion of the exhaled breath to the buffer chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A device for measuring a component in exhaled breath comprising an inlet (32) for receiving exhaled breath, a buffer chamber (31). A first fluid conduit (34a) is in fluid connection with the inlet and adapted to lead a first portion (Gamma) of the exhaled breath to the buffer chamber. The buffer chamber comprises an outlet (37) for discarding a first part of exhaled breath received from the first fluid conduit and the buffer chamber is configured to buffer a second part of exhaled breath received from the first fluid conduit. The device comprises a second fluid conduit (34b) in fluid connection with the inlet and adapted to lead a second portion (I") of the exhaled breath to be discarded, and a sensor (63) for measuring a component in the exhaled breath buffered in the buffer chamber.