Breath Sample Collection via Sorbent Tube Adsorption and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breath sample collection systems face issues with humidity interference and flow rate variability, leading to incomplete capture of breath constituents in sorbent tubes, as humidity causes condensation and affects the adsorption efficiency at specific flow rates.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a controllable container volume and valve system that asynchronously controls the flow of breath to sorbent tubes, using a piston chamber and pump to manage breath flow and humidity, ensuring efficient capture of breath constituents by adjusting flow rates and volume according to real-time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If breath is collected directly in a large container, then the collection process is simple, but the breath constituents are not effectively condensed and the sample volume remains large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sorbent tubes as an intermediary component between the breath container and the analysis system. The sorbent tubes selectively adsorb breath constituents, effectively condensing the sample while allowing voluminous constituents like oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through. This mediator enables the transformation of a large-volume breath sample into a condensed, analysis-ready sample without requiring complex direct collection methods.
2Productivity
If breath is flowed through sorbent tubes at high flow rates, then the collection speed increases, but the adsorption efficiency decreases and parts of the breath sample are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of breath flow rates through computer-controlled valves and pumps. The system adjusts the flow rate of breath through the sorbent tubes in real-time based on the specific constituents being analyzed, optimizing the balance between collection speed and adsorption efficiency. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high productivity while ensuring reliable capture of target breath constituents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter dynamically during the breath collection process. By controlling the flow rate through the sorbent tubes based on the breath sample characteristics and analysis requirements, the system optimizes adsorption efficiency for different constituents while maintaining overall collection speed. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between fast collection and effective adsorption.
3Ease of operation
If breath is collected in conventional containers, then the collection process is straightforward, but humidity forms condensation on conduit inside surfaces and attracts breath constituents away from the sorbent tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes humidity from the breath collection system using desiccant materials and heated air flow. By taking out the harmful humidity factor from the collection pathway, the system prevents condensation formation on conduit surfaces and eliminates the attraction of breath constituents to water molecules. This extraction of the harmful factor preserves the integrity of the breath sample and ensures accurate constituent capture by sorbent tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of humidity into a beneficial process by using controlled condensation and evaporation cycles. Humidity is first condensed in controlled chambers, then evaporated and removed through heated air flow. This transformation of the harmful humidity factor into a controllable process eliminates condensation interference while maintaining collection simplicity.
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 stores breath samples by minimizing humidity interference and optimizing flow rates, resulting in a more complete and accurate representation of breath constituents in sorbent tubes, enhancing the reliability of breath analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Sorbent tubes are tubes containing a solid adsorbent material having a large surface area. When a gaseous sample is passed through a sorbent tube, some of the constituents, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, flow through and out the other end of the sorbent tube, whereas other constituents are adsorbed by the adsorbent material.
Implementation Method 2
The container can include a piston chamber that has a piston positioned therein, a position of the piston controlling the volume of the cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for collecting a breath sample are provided. The apparatus has a breath input interface configured to receive exhaled breath, a first conduit system connected to the breath input interface, at least one breath sample storage device connected to the breath input interface via a breath intake conduit of the first conduit system extending between the breath input interface and the breath collection system, the at least one breath sample storage device being configured to capture at least some of the breath, and at least one metering device for measuring at least one characteristic, the at least one metering device being positioned along an exhaust conduit of the first conduit system that branches from the breath intake conduit.