Selective Breath Sampling via Phase-Synchronized Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human breath analysis technologies for disease diagnosis and monitoring are underdeveloped due to issues with reproducibility, sensitivity, selectivity, unreliable sample collection, and high costs, limiting their adoption in clinical practice.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for selectively capturing and analyzing specific portions of a subject's breath using a portable microprocessor-controlled breath collection system that measures breathing parameters to identify and sample desired fractions of exhaled air, employing sorbent tubes for VOC analysis via Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If selective breath collection is performed to improve diagnostic accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breath collection system divides the breath cycle into distinct segments (inspiration, expiration, alveolar phase) and collects samples from specific segments using electronic valves. This segmentation allows selective collection of diagnostically relevant breath portions while managing system complexity through modular valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts valve positions and sampling timing based on real-time breath phase detection. The electronic valves respond to changing breath parameters (flow rate, pressure, volume) to capture the desired breath fraction, enabling adaptive sample collection that improves precision without requiring permanently complex hardware configurations.
2Reliability
If comprehensive breath analysis is performed to improve disease detection capability, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes only the specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) relevant to disease diagnosis from the breath sample, rather than attempting to detect all possible compounds. This selective extraction approach improves diagnostic reliability for target conditions while reducing the complexity and cost of the analytical instrumentation required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes analytical parameters (sampling timing, flow rate, temperature) to optimize detection of disease-specific biomarkers. By adjusting these parameters based on the suspected condition or screening protocol, the system achieves high diagnostic reliability for specific diseases without requiring equally sophisticated systems for all possible diagnoses, thereby controlling overall cost.
3Measurement precision
If real-time breath monitoring is implemented to improve sample collection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs breath monitoring and sampling in periodic cycles synchronized with the subject's natural breathing rhythm. Rather than continuous monitoring, the electronic valves and sensors activate only during specific phases of each breath cycle when sample collection is needed, reducing energy consumption while maintaining precision through periodic measurement and control actions.
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 reliable, low-cost, non-invasive health care solutions for diagnosing and monitoring diseases by accurately capturing and analyzing volatile biomarkers from breath samples, improving sensitivity and selectivity while reducing costs and improving reproducibility.
Implementation Method 1
employing sorbent tubes for VOC analysis
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for selectively capturing one or more portions of a patient's breath, comprising: detect one or more parameters regarding the patient's breath duringa breathing routine; determine one or more data points from the detected one or moreparameters wherein the one or more data points identifies one or more portions of thepatient's breath to capture; and capture one or more portions of the patient's breathduring the breathing routine.