Systems and device for capturing breath samples
Inventors
Allsworth, Max • Apthorp, Duncan • van der Schee, Marc • Smith, Rob • Boschmans, Jasper • Kitchen, Simon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11033203-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is provided a device for collecting a breath portion from a patient for analysis, comprising a housing structure including an inlet port associated with a mask structure for receiving a portion of the patient's breath, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the inlet port for detecting one or more parameters regarding the patient's breath, at least one collection container for collecting a portion of the patient's breath received in the inlet port, at least one pump for pumping a selective portion of the patient's breath from the inlet port to the at least one collection container and a control system for controlling operation of the at least one sensor and at least one pump. The control system selectively operates the pump based on sensed parameters such as CO2 and/or pressure to collect breath samples.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a portable device for collecting a breath portion from a patient for analysis. The device includes a housing structure having an inlet port configured to receive the breath portion and an outlet disposed on a longitudinal axis extending from the inlet port, where the outlet includes a one-way valve. At least one sensor is operatively coupled to the inlet port to detect one or more parameters regarding the breath portion, and at least one collection container includes sorbent material adapted to collect the breath portion received in the inlet port.
The at least one collection container is detachable from the housing structure and extends vertically into the inlet port to traverse a longitudinal axis of the inlet port to the outlet. At least one pump is configured to draw the breath portion from the inlet port directly through the collection container and to facilitate passage of the breath portion through the collection container and capture of the breath portion in the collection container. A control system is configured to control operation of the sensor and the pump.
The control system selectively operates the pump based upon a pressure level of the breath portion as detected by the at least one sensor. Selective sampling is supported by inlet sensors and software-controlled operation that target different breath fractions by timing algorithms. Patient safety monitoring is included for hyper/hypocapnia and hypo/hyperventilation using sensed parameters, and contamination control is implemented through replaceable mask and bacterial filter features with a clean air supply arrangement having a one-way valve.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines a portable breath-collection device with detachable sorbent collection containers, inlet sensing, and pump control selectively operated based on a detected pressure level. The provided claims list also includes dependent refinements for CO2 sensing and mathematical-function based pump control.
Portable breath-collection device with detachable sorbent container in inlet axis
A portable device for collecting a breath portion from a patient for analysis, comprising a housing structure with an inlet port configured to receive the portion of the patient's breath and an outlet disposed on a longitudinal axis extending from the inlet port, the outlet including a one-way valve; at least one collection container with sorbent material adapted to collect the portion of the patient's breath received in the inlet port, the at least one collection container being detachable from the housing structure and extending vertically into the inlet port to traverse a longitudinal axis of the inlet port extending from the inlet port to the outlet.
Inlet sensing of breath parameters
At least one sensor operatively coupled to the inlet port configured to detect one or more parameters regarding the portion of the patient's breath.
Pump drawing breath portion through detachable sorbent container
At least one pump configured to draw the portion of the patient's breath from the inlet port directly through the at least one collection container and configured to facilitate both passage of the portion of the patient's breath through the at least one collection container and capture of the portion of the patient's breath in the at least one collection container.
Selective pump operation based on detected pressure level
A control system configured to control operation of the at least one sensor and at least one pump and which selectively operates the at least one pump based upon a pressure level of the portion of the patient's breath as detected by the at least one sensor.
Pump operation using mathematical function of CO2 and/or pressure
The device includes a control system that drives at least one pump according to a mathematical function based on sensed Carbon Dioxide (CO2) level, pressure level, or both in a patient’s portion of the patient's breath.
Carbon dioxide sensing
A sensor configured to detect and measure carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in a portion of a patient's breath.
The claim set centers on a portable breath-sampling architecture that combines an inlet port with sensor detection, a detachable sorbent collection container arranged along an inlet/outlet longitudinal axis, and a pump that draws the breath portion through the sorbent for capture. The control system selectively operates the pump based on a detected pressure level, with dependent refinements including sensor-based CO2 detection and pump control driven by a mathematical function using CO2 and/or pressure.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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