Breath Capture Device Using Endothermic Coolant for Rapid Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breath sample collection methods are inefficient and time-consuming, requiring 5-10 minutes to collect a small volume of liquid, making them impractical for rapid and large-scale viral and bacterial testing, especially for detecting infectious agents like viruses and bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A device using an endothermic coolant to rapidly condense or freeze breath samples on a capture surface, allowing for collection of liquid particles and vapor within 1 minute, enabling efficient processing and analysis of biological samples for viral, bacterial, and chemical analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional breath collection systems are used, then a small volume of liquid sample (1 mL) can be obtained, but the collection process takes 5-10 minutes which is too long for rapid testing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the collection surface by using a cooling element to maintain it below the dew point of exhaled breath. This temperature parameter change enables rapid condensation of breath moisture onto the collection surface, allowing sufficient sample volume to be collected in under a minute rather than 5-10 minutes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from vapor to liquid through condensation. The cooling element maintains the collection surface temperature below the dew point, causing water vapor in the exhaled breath to condense rapidly onto the surface, thereby quickly accumulating sufficient liquid sample volume for testing
2Ease of operation
If conventional breath collection is used, then sample collection can be performed, but it requires significant time and effort from the individual making it impractical for large-scale use
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter of the collection surface to below the dew point through the cooling element, the system makes breath collection rapid and effortless. The user simply needs to exhale through the device for under a minute, and the cold surface automatically condenses the breath moisture, eliminating the need for prolonged breathing efforts required by conventional systems
3Productivity
If cooling systems are used to improve collection efficiency, then sample collection can be enhanced, but the systems require freezers and are impractical for large-scale deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a disposable cooling element containing a phase change material that provides the necessary cooling effect without requiring complex reusable cooling systems. The cooling element is discarded after use, eliminating the need for freezers, refrigerators, or sophisticated thermal management systems, thereby enabling large-scale deployment while maintaining high collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling element utilizes phase transition of a phase change material (such as ice melting or other solid-liquid transitions) to provide sustained cooling. This simple phase transition mechanism delivers the necessary thermal effect without requiring complex active cooling systems, making the device practical for widespread use
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 device enables quick and efficient capture of breath samples, allowing for rapid processing and analysis, improving the detection of infectious agents and reducing the time and effort required for sample collection, making it suitable for large-scale and rapid testing.
Implementation Method 1
a receptacle for receiving the collection chamber, the receptacle containing a coolant that undergoes (i.e. is arranged to support or perform) an endothermic process to cool the capture surface to a temperature below the freezing point of water
Implementation Method 2
whereby the biological sample from the breath of the user condenses or freezes on the capture surface of the collection chamber
Implementation Method 3
whereby the biological sample from the breath of the user condenses or freezes on the capture surface of the collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Breath liquid particles and vapor are captured in a device presenting a surface and chamber space that condenses or freezes the vapor and aerosol particulates. One or more breaths are exhaled through the device. Capture can be performed on the freezing surface immobilizing water upon contact. The chamber space within the device may freeze or condense liquid breath particles and vapor to collect them. After collection, the liquid is gathered and collected either by draining, scraping, pushing, or centrifugal force. The liquid may be collected and combined with a sample preparation reagent such as a virus lysing reagent, an internal standard, etc. After collection, the sample is analyzed. Analysis may be performed by PCR, qPCR RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, LAMP, RPA or any nucleic acid detection method, lateral antigen mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry or any analytical tool or method. Nucleic acid amplification reagents may contain a lysing reagent such as acetonitrile.