Breath Sampling Device with Self-Sealing Float for Alveolar Air Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breath testing methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,776, face challenges in consistently capturing a sufficient volume of true alveolar air due to inconsistent ratios of waste air and desired sample air, which can lead to inaccurate results in non-invasive diagnosis of conditions like helicobacter pylori infections.
Innovation Solution
A breath sampling device with a main housing featuring multiple chambers and a self-sealing apparatus, such as a float element or bladder, that redirects air flow to separate alveolar air from waste air by sealing the exhaust port when a predetermined volume of initial waste air fills the second output chamber, allowing the captured air to be directed into an evacuated test tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple blow tube with evacuated test tube is used to capture breath samples, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of alveolar air sampling deteriorates due to inconsistent air ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The breath sampling device is divided into multiple functional chambers: a first output chamber for capturing alveolar air samples and a second output chamber for managing waste air. This segmentation allows independent control and separation of sample air and waste air flows, ensuring consistent alveolar air sampling while reducing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
A float element is introduced as an intermediary mechanism in the second output chamber to automatically separate and manage waste air. The float element responds to waste air volume changes and activates the exhaust port only when necessary, providing automatic waste air management that improves measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity
2Ease of operation
If waste air is allowed to mix with alveolar air in the blow tube, then the ease of operation is improved, but the purity of the alveolar air sample deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the breath sampling pathway into distinct chambers: the first output chamber captures pure alveolar air through the blow tube, while the second output chamber independently manages waste air. This physical segmentation prevents mixing between sample and waste air, maintaining sample purity while keeping the operation simple for users
Solution Approach 2:
The waste air is extracted and isolated from the alveolar air sampling pathway through the second output chamber and float element mechanism. By taking out waste air management from the main sampling flow, the system maintains pure alveolar air samples while automatically handling waste air separation
3Productivity
If the exhaust port remains open throughout the sampling process, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to premature waste air release
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust port is made dynamic rather than static - it remains closed during the sampling process and automatically opens only when the float element detects sufficient waste air accumulation. This dynamic control optimizes productivity by maintaining sampling integrity while preventing premature waste air loss
Solution Approach 2:
The float element provides self-service waste air management by automatically detecting when waste air reaches a predetermined volume and triggering exhaust port opening. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for manual control, optimizing both productivity and waste air management without user intervention
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
This solution ensures a consistent and accurate collection of alveolar air samples, reducing the inconsistency in air ratios and improving the reliability of breath testing for diagnosing respiratory-related conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a float element within the second output chamber configured to freely move within the second output chamber and block the exhaust port when a predetermined amount of initial waste air fills the second output chamber
Implementation Method 2
A threaded needle assembly having a needle and placed in the sampling port of the blow tube is used to capture a breath sample by inserting the evacuated test tube into a capture assembly connected to the blow tube
Data Source
AI summary
A breath sampling device includes a main housing having an input chamber, a first output chamber, and a second output chamber integrally formed therein where the input chamber and the first output chamber are coupled via a first port and the input chamber and the second output chamber are coupled via a second port, and a self-sealing apparatus within the second output chamber configured to seal at least an exhaust port of the second output chamber when a predetermined amount of initial waste air fills the second output chamber. The main housing can be configured to redirect a portion of air blown therethrough towards the output chamber via the first port when the self-sealing apparatus at least seals the exhaust port. Other embodiments are disclosed.