Breath Sampling Device with Honeycomb Filter and Adsorbent Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breath sampling devices are limited as they typically focus on a single breath fraction (VOC, aerosols, or condensate) and require mechanical mitigation methods to handle backpressure, making direct inhalation impossible and biomarker analysis resource-intensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
A device with a honeycomb structure combining a filter for aerosol and particle collection with an adsorbent part for VOCs, allowing direct inhalation without the need for pumps, simplifying the collection process and reducing backpressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a thermal desorption tube packed with adsorbent particles and glass wool is used to capture VOCs, then VOC collection capability is improved, but backpressure increases making direct inhalation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the breath sampling function into two separate components: a filter element for aerosol/particle collection and a thermal desorption tube for VOC collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the filter handles particle capture without creating excessive backpressure, while the TD tube is protected from direct user inhalation pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element acts as an intermediary between the user's breath and the thermal desorption tube. It captures aerosols and particles first, then allows the gas phase to pass through to the TD tube for VOC collection, thereby protecting the TD tube from direct backpressure while still enabling effective VOC sampling
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used to collect different breath fractions (aerosols, VOCs, condensate), then collection capability for each fraction is improved, but device complexity and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the aerosol collection filter and the thermal desorption tube into a single integrated sampling device. The filter element is positioned upstream of the TD tube, allowing simultaneous collection of both aerosols and VOCs from the same breath sample without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: it collects aerosols on the filter element, captures VOCs on the thermal desorption tube, and can be used for both direct inhalation sampling and bagging methods. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized devices for each breath fraction
3Ease of operation
If a pump or mechanical mitigation method is used to overcome backpressure, then breath sample collection is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service breath sampling where the user can directly inhale/exhale into the device without requiring external pumps or mechanical assistance. The filter-TD tube configuration allows sufficient airflow through passive breathing alone, eliminating the need for active pumping mechanisms
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 simultaneous collection of aerosols and VOCs in a single device, reducing complexity and analysis time, and facilitating direct inhalation, while maintaining compatibility with existing analytical methods.
Implementation Method 1
a filter part (1) for the capture of aerosols and particles
Implementation Method 2
an adsorbent part (2) for the capture of volatile organic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling device for air or breath samples can collect both aerosols and particles as well as volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from the air or breath sample using a single device. The obtained samples are compatible with analytical methods to determine the presence or absence of (bio)markers without the need of an extensive work-up thereby simplifying their use and the analysis of air or breath samples.