Breath Sampling Mask with Graphene Sensors for VOC Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disease detection methods, particularly for diseases like cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, face challenges in accurately and early identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath samples due to limitations in capturing and analyzing VOCs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A breath sampling mask system that captures and treats breath samples using porous and non-porous materials, filters, and chemical sensors, including graphene varactors, to detect VOCs, enabling accurate disease state determination by analyzing exhaled breath for specific compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If breath sampling is performed using conventional methods, then the sampling process is simple, but the detection precision of VOCs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (breath sampling, filtration, VOC detection) into an integrated mask system. The chemical sensors are embedded within the mask structure, merging the sampling device and detection device into a unified system that improves VOC detection precision while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials in the mask structure to enable effective VOC capture from breath samples. The porous structure increases surface area for sensor contact and facilitates efficient gas permeation, thereby enhancing detection precision without requiring overly complex sampling mechanisms.
2Reliability
If chemical sensors are used to detect VOCs, then disease detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical sensors in the mask are designed to detect multiple types of VOCs simultaneously, enabling the detection of various disease states (cancers, COPD, etc.) with a single sensor system. This multi-functionality improves disease detection reliability while avoiding the need for multiple separate detection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chemical sensors as intermediaries that convert VOC molecule interactions into measurable electrical signals. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable disease detection by translating chemical information into quantifiable data that can be analyzed for diagnostic purposes.
3Measurement precision
If breath samples are captured and treated with filtration, then VOC analysis accuracy improves, but the sampling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask performs preliminary filtration and conditioning of breath samples as they are captured, removing interfering substances before VOC analysis. This preliminary action ensures that the VOC detection occurs on pre-conditioned samples, improving analysis accuracy without requiring separate post-sampling treatment steps that would extend total sampling time.
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 effectively captures and analyzes VOCs in breath samples, providing a reliable mechanism for early disease detection, including cancers and other disorders, by pre-conditioning and filtering the air and using chemical sensors to identify specific compounds.
Implementation Method 1
The mask can include a porous and non-porous material, a filter, and a chemical sensor
Implementation Method 2
air is drawn in through the nose and/or mouth and into the lungs. By its presence in close contact with moist internal tissues, the inspired air is warmed, humidified, and picks up volatile organic compounds
Implementation Method 3
chemical sensors, including graphene varactors, to detect VOCs
Implementation Method 4
The document US 2016/109440 A1 discloses a breath sampling device comprising graphene varactors
Implementation Method 5
By its presence in close contact with moist internal tissues, the inspired air is warmed, humidified, and picks up volatile organic compounds
Implementation Method 6
By its presence in close contact with moist internal tissues, the inspired air is warmed, humidified, and picks up volatile organic compounds
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments herein include a breath sampling mask, systems, and related methods. In an embodiment, a breath sensing system is included. The breath sensing system can include a breath sampling mask. The breath sampling mask can include a mask housing configured to cover a portion of the face of a patient. The mask housing can define a breath receiving chamber. The breath sampling mask can include a chemical sensor element in fluid communication with the breath sampling mask, where the chemical sensor element can include a plurality of discrete binding detectors. The chemical sensor element can interface with a breath sample collected through the breath sampling mask. Other embodiments are also included herein.