Human Breath Sample Storage With Metered Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human breath samples are unstable due to contamination and cannot be stored long-term in existing containers, which leads to immediate analysis requirements and prevents further analysis at separate times.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a metering device, dispenser device, and selection valve to store human breath samples in a storage container, ensuring stable and long-term preservation by minimizing contamination and decay, with scavenging to prevent cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human breath samples are stored in polymeric containers, then sampling is easy and non-invasive, but the samples become contaminated by polymeric particles migrating into the gaseous sample
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the breath sample from the polymeric sampling container and transfers it to a glass storage container. This separation removes the source of polymeric contamination while preserving the sample, allowing easy non-invasive collection followed by clean long-term storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a glass container as an intermediary storage medium between the polymeric sampling bag and the analysis equipment. This intermediary container provides a non-contaminating environment for long-term storage while maintaining sample integrity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If breath samples are stored long-term in sampling containers, then sample availability increases, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates and gas exits the container
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the breath sample from the polymeric sampling container designed for immediate analysis and transfers it to a specialized glass storage container. This separation allows the sample to be stored long-term in a container optimized for sealing and stability, while the original sampling container can be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from polymeric to glass, and alters the container design parameters to include proper sealing mechanisms (screw cap with PTFE membrane, aluminum seal). These parameter changes enable long-term storage while maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing gas loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple samples are handled manually, then flexibility in analysis timing is possible, but handling complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sample handling process into distinct phases: collection in polymeric bags, transfer to glass containers, and storage. This segmentation allows multiple samples to be processed independently and stored separately, enabling flexible analysis timing while reducing cross-contamination risk through standardized procedures.
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 stable and long-term storage of human breath samples, preventing contamination and decay, allowing for multiple analyses over time without cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a metering device (2) having an inlet port (3) and a delivery port (4)... configured for compressing the sample of human breath to a pressure between 1 and 20 atmospheres
Implementation Method 2
controlling a third actuation of the metering device (2) with the selection valve (9) in the second operating condition, wherein the supply unit (6) delivers a flow of fluid through the metering device (2) and the dispenser device (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is an apparatus (1; 1*; 1**; 100; 100*) for storing a sample of human breath, which comprises: a metering device (2) having an inlet port (3) and a delivery port (4); a dispenser device (5) in fluid communication with the delivery port (4) of the metering device (2); a supply unit (6) configured for delivering a flow of fluid through a delivery port (7) of its own; an acquisition port (8) configured for intake of a sample of human breath; and a selection valve (9; 9**). The selection valve (9; 9**) includes a first operating condition (9A), in which a fluid communication is obtained between the acquisition port (8) and the inlet port (3) of the metering device (2), and a second operating condition (9B; 9B**), in which a fluid communication is obtained between the delivery port (7) of the supply unit (6) and said metering device (2).