Handheld Breath Gas Sensor for Pulmonary Embolism Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for pulmonary embolism are invasive, costly, and often unreliable, requiring ionizing radiation and specialized expertise, making them unsuitable for outpatient settings and prone to false positives and negatives.
Innovation Solution
A handheld system with sensors to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in exhaled breath, using a carboximetry ratio and normalization factors to determine the presence of a pulmonary embolism, accompanied by a removable mouthpiece with filtration media to prevent germ transmission and minimize airflow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional diagnostic methods (chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, arterial blood gas analysis) are used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, then the diagnostic coverage is comprehensive, but the reliability is low and false positives/negatives occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/invasive diagnostic methods (arterial blood gas analysis, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram) with a non-invasive optical sensing system that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in exhaled breath using sensors, eliminating the need for blood draws and radiation-based imaging while providing more reliable diagnostic data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces exhaled breath as an intermediary medium for diagnosis. Instead of directly analyzing blood or using radiation, the system uses the breath as a mediator that carries information about lung function and pulmonary embolism presence, enabling indirect but more reliable measurement of physiological status
2Reliability
If nuclear perfusion study or pulmonary angiogram is used to image the lungs, then the diagnostic accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential diagnostic information (oxygen and carbon dioxide levels) from the complex imaging procedures. Instead of using full nuclear perfusion studies or angiograms, the system isolates and measures only the breath gas composition, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, portable handheld device with disposable or easily cleanable mouthpiece, replacing expensive, complex, and immobile imaging equipment. The system achieves diagnostic accuracy using affordable sensors and a user-friendly design that can be deployed in outpatient settings without requiring specialized facilities
3Reliability
If nuclear perfusion study or pulmonary angiogram is used, then the diagnostic accuracy improves, but the harmful factors (ionizing radiation) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes radiation-based imaging methods with non-invasive optical sensing of breath gases. The system uses optical sensors to detect oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in exhaled breath, completely eliminating ionizing radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary embolism detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the normally wasted exhaled breath (which contains information about lung function) into a beneficial diagnostic tool. By measuring the composition of exhaled breath, the system transforms a discarded physiological byproduct into a source of valuable diagnostic information without any harmful effects
4Reliability
If arterial blood gas analysis is performed, then the diagnostic information is obtained, but the ease of operation decreases due to invasive procedure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts diagnostic information from exhaled breath instead of requiring invasive blood sampling. The system captures and analyzes only the breath, removing the need for needle insertion, blood draws, and complex laboratory processing, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining diagnostic reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the patient to participate in their own diagnosis by simply breathing into the handheld device. The system requires minimal operator intervention and no invasive procedures, allowing the patient's own breath to provide the diagnostic information, making the process both easy to operate and highly reliable
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 system provides a non-invasive, cost-effective, and accurate method for diagnosing pulmonary embolism, improving diagnostic reliability and safety for outpatient use by minimizing radiation exposure and simplifying the diagnostic process.
Implementation Method 1
a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor adapted to measure a concentration of carbon dioxide in the volume of exhaled air
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor adapted to measure a concentration of unconsumed oxygen in the volume of exhaled air
Implementation Method 3
The mouthpiece can include a filter adapted to substantially prohibit the passage of germs into the airway of the handheld unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for aiding in the diagnosis of a physiological abnormality resulting in detectable, measurable variations in contents of breathed air. The system includes a handheld unit defining an airway, wherein the airway includes a plurality of sensors adapted to measure a plurality of parameters related to the presence of a physiological abnormality. The system further includes a control unit remotely connected to the handheld unit. The control unit includes a controller adapted to receive input signals from the handheld unit and remit output signals in response thereto. The output signals are usable by a user in determining the presence or absence of a physiological abnormality. The control unit further also can include a display adapted to display the output signals to a user thereby easing the determination of the physiological abnormality. The system further includes a mouthpiece selectively connectable to the handheld unit. The mouthpiece can include a filter adapted to substantially prohibit the passage of germs into the airway of the handheld unit.