Multicomponent analysis of volatile organic compositions in vapor samples
First Claim
1. A method for evaluating amounts of a plurality of volatile organic compositions in a vapor sample, the method comprising fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell anode is contacted with the vapor sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell.
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Abstract
Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.
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Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A method for evaluating amounts of a plurality of volatile organic compositions in a vapor sample, the method comprising fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell anode is contacted with the vapor sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell.
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13. A system comprising:
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a sample collector;
a flow apparatus that is configured to receive a sample from the sample collector;
a fuel cell comprising an anode connected to the flow system wherein the sample transported within the flow system contacts the anode; and
an analyzer that receives a signal related to a signal from the fuel cell, and evaluates the amounts of a plurality of volatile organic compositions from the time response of the fuel cell signal as a function of time from a de-convolution of the time response of the fuel cell based on separate standard time response functions from each of the volatile organic compositions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification