Portable Olfactory Testing Device with Vaporized Odorant Cartridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing olfactometers are bulky, complex, and prone to oil residue buildup due to oil-based odorants, which can confound test results and are not suitable for portable or over-the-counter olfactory testing, especially in cases of toxin-induced anosmia or hyposmia like those caused by COVID-19.

Innovation Solution

A portable olfactory testing device with a cartridge system that delivers odorized stimuli via air, using a pneumatic system and electronic interface for odor threshold and discrimination tests, employing n-butanol and phenylethylamine, and utilizing a porous media to prevent oil residue buildup, allowing for rapid and accurate olfactory function assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oil-based odorants are used in olfactometers, then odor delivery is achieved, but oil residues build up in tubing and confound test results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest result accuracyVSAvoidoil residue buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of odorant delivery from liquid oil-based odorants to vaporized odorants carried by air or nitrogen gas. This parameter change from liquid to vapor phase eliminates the residue buildup problem while maintaining effective odor delivery to the subject

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pneumatic delivery where odorants are vaporized and transported through tubing using pressurized air or nitrogen gas flow. This pneumatic approach replaces the liquid oil carrier system, preventing residue accumulation in the pneumatic pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Measurement precision

If traditional olfactometers are designed for controlled odor delivery, then odor threshold testing is possible, but the devices become bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor threshold detectionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components: a handheld main body containing the vaporization and control systems, separate replaceable odorant cartridges, and a simple mouthpiece. This segmentation allows precise odor delivery functionality while keeping each component compact and the overall device portable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical odor delivery mechanisms with electronic control and vaporization technology. A heating element vaporizes odorants on demand, and electronic sensors detect subject responses, substituting bulky mechanical adjustment systems with compact electronic controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If rapid olfactory testing is implemented, then quick detection of anosmia or hyposmia is achieved, but test accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting speedVSAvoidolfactory function assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary vaporization of odorants and pre-positioning of test stimuli before the actual testing begins. Multiple odorant concentrations are prepared in advance in the cartridge, allowing rapid sequential delivery without waiting for preparation, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vaporization system maintains continuous readiness to deliver odorants at precise concentrations. The heated vaporization chamber continuously prepares odorant vapor, and the pneumatic system maintains ready gas flow, eliminating delays between test stimuli and enabling rapid sequential testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 device provides a portable, efficient, and accurate means to assess olfactory function, reducing oil residue issues and enabling quick detection of anosmia or hyposmia, suitable for both clinical and over-the-counter use, with results that correlate well with established olfactometry methods.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a porous media to prevent oil residue buildup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A portable olfactory testing device with a cartridge system that delivers odorized stimuli via air, using a pneumatic system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230309900A1Olfactory Testing Systems And Methods

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 EVON MEDICS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided herein useful to olfactory testing. In some embodiments, the olfactory testing device comprises a cartridge having a plurality of odorant chambers, each odorant chamber housing an odorant therein. The olfactory testing device further includes a rear compartment configured to receive the cartridge and a tube in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the cartridge. In addition, the olfactory testing device includes an air pump having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the cartridge, wherein air is supplied to one of the odorant chambers from the air pump, flows around the odorant, and exits the cavity through the tube, wherein a portion of the odorant is entrained in the air as it flows through the odorant chamber. Also provided are methods of testing odor threshold sensitivity and odor discrimination using the olfactory testing device.