Breath sample device including flow regulation device for volatile and semi-volatile sampling
Inventors
Harshman, Sean • Hawkins, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12152968-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-26
Expiration Date
2042-06-14
Abstract
A flow regulation device for volatile and semi-volatile sampling onto adsorbent media is provided. The flow regulation device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, a secondary inlet that is open to the ambient, a real time flow meter, a controller in electronic communication with the flow meter, and a three-way valve. Gas is drawn through the adsorbent media, into the inlet, and then to the outlet by a vacuum source joined to the outlet. The controller is configured to: (1) actuate the three-way valve to put the vacuum source in-line with the inlet; (2) continuously monitor the flow of gas through the inlet and calculate the time necessary to sample a pre-set volume of gas; and (3) after the pre-set volume of gas passes through the inlet, actuate the three-way valve to put the vacuum source in-line with the secondary inlet.
Core Innovation
The present invention relates to a flow regulation device for volatile and semi-volatile sampling onto adsorbent media. The device comprises a housing with a gas inlet and outlet, a secondary inlet open to the ambient, a real-time flow meter, a controller electronically connected to the flow meter, and a three-way valve. Gas is drawn through the adsorbent media into the inlet and through to the outlet by a vacuum source connected to the outlet. The controller actuates the valve to connect the vacuum source alternately between the inlet and the secondary inlet. It monitors flow in real time, calculating the time necessary to sample a pre-set volume of gas and switches the valve after the volume passes through the inlet.
The invention addresses the problem of accurately sampling a preset volume of gas onto adsorbent material. Previous methods require personnel to manually calibrate vacuum pumps and time sampling, which are prone to error due to assumptions about uniform adsorbent material composition and human error in timing. Alternatives like dosing controllers cause pressure fluctuations that impact sensor and pump performance. Thus, there is a need for a sampling method independent of adsorbent variability, personnel intervention, and environmental factors.
The device’s design with a real-time flow sensor and a three-way valve allows automated, accurate, and consistent sampling volumes. By diverting flow after the preset volume is sampled to ambient air, it eliminates the need to stop flow abruptly, avoiding pressure swings. This provides reliable volumetric transfer of volatiles from containers or the environment onto adsorbent tubes without user input or recalibration, improving accuracy and reproducibility in applications such as exhaled breath analysis and environmental monitoring.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering a flow regulation device, a system incorporating the device, and a related sampling method, each featuring key inventive aspects.
Flow regulation device with a three-way valve and real-time flow monitoring
A flow regulation device comprising a housing with gas inlet and outlet, a secondary inlet open to the ambient, a three-way valve connecting these branches, a real-time flow meter in fluid communication with the valve, and a controller electronically connected to the flow meter. The controller actuates the valve to connect a vacuum source alternately between the gas inlet and the secondary inlet, monitors flow to calculate sampling time for a pre-set gas volume, and switches the flow after the volume is sampled.
System comprising the flow regulation device with adsorbent tube and vacuum source
A system including the described flow regulation device, a tube containing adsorbent material connected to the device's gas inlet, and a vacuum source connected to the device's outlet. The system is configured to sample semi-volatile material from a container or ambient atmosphere via controlled flow through the adsorbent tube.
Method of sampling volatile and semi-volatile materials using the flow regulation device
A method entailing providing the flow regulation device, connecting the adsorbent tube and a gas container with semi-volatile content, placing a vacuum source at the device outlet, actuating the valve to draw gas through the adsorbent tube, monitoring flow in real time to sample a pre-set volume, and switching the three-way valve to divert flow to ambient air after sampling is complete.
The independent claims cover the flow regulation device with a unique three-way valve and real-time flow control system, system integration with adsorbent tubes and vacuum sources, and a method for accurate volumetric sampling of volatile and semi-volatile materials, emphasizing automated control and elimination of manual calibration or timing errors.
Stated Advantages
Allows accurate sampling of specific gas volumes without user input, eliminating sampling errors related to adsorbent media variability and personnel.
Eliminates the need for pump flow rate calibration and manual timing during sampling.
Maintains uninterrupted flow by diverting vacuum to ambient air, preventing pressure swings that can cause sensor and pump faults.
Improves reproducibility and accuracy in sampling from closed containers and open environments.
Removes variability associated with different adsorbent loading and environmental conditions.
Documented Applications
Monitoring hypoxic conditions in aircraft flight crews by sampling exhaled breath into an adsorbent tube for subsequent analysis.
Exhaled breath analysis particularly for volatile organic compounds, including isoprene, to assess recovery from acute hypoxic stress.
Environmental sampling of volatile materials from ambient air using adsorbent tubes.
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