Handheld Gas Sampling Device with Integrated Sensor Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas sampling devices face challenges in conveniently obtaining and processing breath samples, as handheld devices for gas sampling are often cumbersome, and larger devices for reading data from disposable test strips are impractical for handheld use, leading to potential sample degradation when transferring gas samples between devices.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a handheld gas sampling device with a housing, airflow pathway, and sensor receptacle that holds disposable test strips for detecting chemical compounds, which can be docked with a reading device for data analysis, incorporating conditioning elements like filters and heating elements to enhance sample quality, and using graphene-based sensors for high sensitivity detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handheld gas sampling device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sample degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas sampling function, test strip holding capability, and reading device into a single integrated handheld unit. The sampling device includes a housing with a chamber for holding disposable test strips, an airflow pathway, and a reading device with communication hardware to wirelessly receive data from the test strip, eliminating the need for separate sampling and analysis devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disposable sensor test strip as an intermediary carrier that holds the sensing elements and can be quickly exchanged. The test strip includes an array of discrete passive sensor circuits that interface with the reading device, allowing rapid data transfer before sample degradation occurs.
2Measurement precision
If a larger device with reading capability is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to impractical handheld use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into a reusable handheld sampling device with integrated reading capability and disposable test strips. The reading device is integrated into the sampling device housing, which defines a chamber configured to receive the disposable test strip, allowing the complex reading functionality to be separated from the disposable sensing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sensor test strips that are discarded after a single use. Each test strip includes an array of discrete passive sensor circuits and can be quickly inserted into or removed from the handheld device, eliminating the need to clean or maintain the sensing components while ensuring fresh sensors for each measurement.
3Measurement precision
If gas samples are transferred between devices, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sampling chamber and reading device into a single handheld unit with an integrated airflow pathway. The housing defines both the sampling chamber and the reading device, allowing gas samples to be collected and analyzed in one continuous process without transfer between separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the handheld device with the reading device and airflow pathway before sampling. The device is ready to immediately analyze the breath sample as it flows through the integrated pathway, eliminating delays associated with transferring samples between separate sampling and analysis devices.
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 convenient, accurate, and sensitive detection of disease markers in breath samples, allowing for early disease state identification with minimal sample degradation and practical handheld operation.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element is configured to heat at least 90% of interior surfaces of portions of the housing defining the airflow pathway
Implementation Method 2
the conditioning element is a filter element disposed across the airflow pathway
Implementation Method 3
the filter element is at least one of the group consisting of: a desiccant, an oxidizing agent, and a reducing agent
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein relates to, in part, a gas sampling device. According to some aspects, the gas sampling device has a housing defining an airflow aperture, a gas testing chamber and an airflow pathway extending from the airflow aperture to the gas testing chamber. The housing also defines a sensor receptacle configured to removably hold a disposable sensor test strip within the gas testing chamber and a docking structure configured to be received by a docking station.