Breath Analysis Receptor with Concentration Preserving Partial Reflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current breath analysis methods for detecting volatile substances like ethyl alcohol are limited by the need for active cooperation and adequate lung capacity, making them unsuitable for unconscious or handicapped individuals, and are time-consuming and prone to errors in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A breath analysis system that uses a receptor to collect a minimal sample volume of exhaled air without physical contact, employing infrared spectroscopy and a concentration-preserving design to determine alcohol concentration independently of lung capacity, with simultaneous measurement of a physiological reference substance for increased accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tightly fitting mouthpiece is used to collect breath samples, then the airtight seal is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it requires the test person to be conscious and capable of providing an airtight seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairtight sealVSAvoidoperation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mask as an intermediary device between the breath analyzer and the test person. The mask provides the airtight seal function that the mouthpiece failed to provide, allowing unconscious or incapacitated persons to be tested. The mask acts as a mediator that collects breath samples without requiring active cooperation from the test person, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability of sealing and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a large sample volume of 0.7-1.2 liters is required for breath analysis, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the loss of time deteriorates because it requires forced expiration which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealcohol concentration determinationVSAvoidsampling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by collecting a smaller breath sample volume (sigh breath) rather than requiring the full 0.7-1.2 liters needed by traditional methods. The mask collects breath samples during normal or slightly increased breathing, which is much faster than forced expiration. This partial sampling approach maintains sufficient measurement precision while dramatically reducing the time required for sample collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If forced expiration is required to provide sufficient breath sample, then the concentration of volatile substances is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it requires significant effort from the test person

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of volatile substancesVSAvoideffort required
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service breath sampling where the test person's natural breathing process provides the sample without requiring forced expiration. The mask collects breath samples during normal breathing or slightly increased respiration, allowing the test person's own physiological process to serve the sampling function. This eliminates the need for additional effort while still obtaining sufficient volatile substance concentration for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If replaceable mouthpieces are used for hygienic reasons, then the protection against infection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple components and replacement mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against infectionVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the breath collection system into a reusable main body (breath analyzer) and a disposable mask component. The mask is the segment that comes into contact with the test person and can be easily replaced between uses, maintaining hygienic standards. This segmented approach provides infection protection without requiring complex replacement mechanisms, as the mask is a simple, standalone component that can be quickly swapped.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 rapid, accurate, and reliable detection of ethyl alcohol in unconscious or handicapped individuals, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis in emergency situations and improving operational ease and environmental durability.

Implementation Method 1

determination of the concentration of ethyl alcohol or other volatile organic substance takes place directly in a measuring cell connected to the receptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

Air intake to the measuring cell is advantageously performed actively by means of a pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2395915B1Breath analysis
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 HOEK INSTRUMENT AB
  • EP2395915B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2395915B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2395915B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for breath analysis from a test person who may be incapable of delivering controlled forced expiration. Breath sampling may be essentially contactless and is provided by active air intake to measuring cell (4) via receptor (2) which exhibits concentration preserving effect based on partial reflow which prevents mixing with ambient air. The analysis is performed by IR spectroscopy, including the determination of concentration of a volatile organic substance, e g ethyl alcohol, and a physiological reference substance, e g carbon dioxide. The timing of sampling is controlled by starting command from operator, and the duration of air intake is controlled by sensor signal from the measuring cell. The apparatus includes one hand unit (1), an exchangeable receptor (2), and a docking station (3).