Breath Collection Apparatus with Flutter Valves for Alveolar Air Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining alveolar air samples for diagnostic testing are invasive or yield inaccurate results due to insufficient sample volume and potential false positives/negatives, particularly in breath tests for lactose malabsorption, which can be influenced by factors like bacterial overgrowth and intestinal transit time.
Innovation Solution
A breath collection apparatus featuring one-way couplings, such as flutter valves, to trap end-expiration breath samples within a collection chamber, allowing for selective retrieval of a representative air sample using an evacuated air chamber, minimizing external air contamination and optimizing sample collection for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive procedures are used to obtain alveolar air samples, then sample accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary collection chamber system with one-way valves to capture alveolar air samples noninvasively. The mouthpiece connects to a collection chamber that accumulates exhaled breath, allowing the subject to provide samples through normal exhalation rather than invasive procedures. This intermediary system bridges the gap between noninvasive collection and accurate alveolar air sampling.
2Loss of time
If insufficient sample volume is collected, then collection time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber is pre-configured with one-way valves and sufficient volume capacity before the breath test begins. The subject performs multiple exhalations into the chamber to pre-accumulate an adequate sample volume of alveolar air. This preliminary accumulation ensures that when analysis is performed, there is sufficient sample volume for accurate measurement without requiring extended collection time during the actual test.
3Quantity of substance
If external air contamination occurs, then sample volume increases, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the alveolar air portion of exhaled breath from the total exhalation using one-way valves and collection chamber design. The system captures only the terminal portion of exhalation where alveolar air is present, separating it from atmospheric air that enters during inhalation. This extraction ensures that the collected sample consists primarily of true alveolar air without significant external contamination.
4Ease of operation
If false positives or negatives occur, then diagnostic reliability deteriorates, but test simplicity is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sampling systems with a simpler valve-based collection system. The one-way valves automatically direct breath flow into the collection chamber without requiring complex mechanical controls or operator intervention. This mechanical simplification maintains ease of operation while improving reliability by consistently capturing representative alveolar air samples through the valve mechanism's inherent flow-direction capabilities.
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 apparatus effectively captures a reliable alveolar air sample, reducing false results and improving the accuracy of breath tests by ensuring a sufficient volume of true alveolar air is obtained, enhancing the reliability of diagnostic procedures like the breath-H2 test for lactose malabsorption.
Implementation Method 1
A breath entryway or mouthpiece is coupled to a first one-way coupling, which is preferably, but not necessarily, a flutter valve. Breath is expelled into the mouthpiece and through the one-way coupling.
Implementation Method 2
a sample transfer assembly coupled to said collection chamber allows for an evacuated air chamber to be selectively coupled to said sample transfer assembly, and the evacuated air chamber recovers a portion of the end-expiration breath sample within the collection chamber.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A breath testing apparatus is provided with a mouthpiece, a collection chamber, and a discharge chute. A breath sample is captured within the collection chamber and transferred to an evacuated container through the discharge chute by a sample transfer assembly.