×

Portable sampling device and method for detection of biomarkers in exhaled breath

  • US 10,359,417 B2
  • Filed: 03/08/2013
  • Issued: 07/23/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of detecting biomarkers from exhaled breath of a subject, comprising:

  • collecting a sample of aerosols from a deep breath reaching exhaled breath from central or peripheral lung regions in a sampling membrane arranged in a handheld and portable collection device, the collection device includes a chamber made from two parts jointed together for the exhaled breath to be exhaled through, wherein the sampling membrane comprises at least two layers, and wherein at least one layer is gas permeable and another layer is an electrostatic non-woven filter, the sampling membrane is arranged transversal to a flow of exhaled breath in the chamber to collect said aerosols from the exhaled breath, and wherein said sampling membrane is configured for a low pressure drop through said handheld and portable collection device for said subject to exhale through said handheld and portable device un-aided, so that said exhaled breath flows unaided from an inlet to an outlet of said device;

    the device further comprises a detachable tubular element having a lumen in flow connection with the inlet of the collection device;

    wherein the tubular element is formed by two opposite parts, each part having at least one baffle such that when connected the tubular element comprises at least two baffles arranged on opposite sides of said lumen to provide a non-straight path through the tubular element, said baffles protrude into said lumen at a distance larger than a radius of said lumen;

    the device further comprises a volume measure unit for determining that a pre-defined volume of said exhaled breath has passed through said sampling membrane, wherein the volume measure unit is connected through a port in the tubular element, and wherein said volume measuring unit is a non-elastic bag with a predetermined volume;

    sealing said inlet and said outlet by mounting plugs in the inlet and the outlet for transportation;

    extracting a content from said sampling membrane, wherein said content is extracted from said sampling membrane using a solvent; and

    employing a sensor unit for detecting traces of biomarkers in said content, wherein said sensor unit performs an analyzing method based on liquid chromatography mass-spectroscopy (LC/MS).

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×