Method and Device for Collecting and Analyzing Exhaled Breath
First Claim
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1. ) A portable device for collecting, sporting, storing and processing condensate from air exhaled thereinto comprising:
- a mouthpiece having three projections by means of which air is inhaled and exhaled;
an optional filter housing having two openings separated by a filter assembly the first one of which is interconnected with a first projection of said mouthpiece;
a hollow condensate collecting tube having two open ends and a circular cross-section interconnected at a first open end with the second opening of said filter housing;
movable valve means deformable and sealingly inserted between the interior walls of said collecting tube near the first open end thereof for preventing the admission of air during inhalation;
admitting exhaled air into said collecting tube, making airflow therethrough turbulent, swiping condensate off the interior walls of said collecting tube, preventing efflux of condensate, retaining the condensate in a pool and channeling gasses or liquids into the condensate;
hollow removable cooling sleeve means slidably placed over said collecting tube wherein said cooling sleeve means has an interior diameter only slightly greater than the exterior diameter of said collecting tube so that the interior walls of said cooling sleeve means are in at least close physical proximity to the exterior walls of said collecting tube for drawing heat from the inner surface of said collecting tube to accelerate the condensing process; and
advancement means removably insertable into the first open end of said collecting tube behind said valve means for pushing said valve means upwards towards the second open end of said collecting tube.
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Abstract
A method and device for collecting, storing, shipping, preparing and analyzing condensate derived from the exhaled breath of a user. Using the mouthpiece (15) of the device (10), a human subject inhales drawing air through a check valve (30).
47 Citations
38 Claims
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1. ) A portable device for collecting, sporting, storing and processing condensate from air exhaled thereinto comprising:
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a mouthpiece having three projections by means of which air is inhaled and exhaled;
an optional filter housing having two openings separated by a filter assembly the first one of which is interconnected with a first projection of said mouthpiece;
a hollow condensate collecting tube having two open ends and a circular cross-section interconnected at a first open end with the second opening of said filter housing;
movable valve means deformable and sealingly inserted between the interior walls of said collecting tube near the first open end thereof for preventing the admission of air during inhalation;
admitting exhaled air into said collecting tube, making airflow therethrough turbulent, swiping condensate off the interior walls of said collecting tube, preventing efflux of condensate, retaining the condensate in a pool and channeling gasses or liquids into the condensate;
hollow removable cooling sleeve means slidably placed over said collecting tube wherein said cooling sleeve means has an interior diameter only slightly greater than the exterior diameter of said collecting tube so that the interior walls of said cooling sleeve means are in at least close physical proximity to the exterior walls of said collecting tube for drawing heat from the inner surface of said collecting tube to accelerate the condensing process; and
advancement means removably insertable into the first open end of said collecting tube behind said valve means for pushing said valve means upwards towards the second open end of said collecting tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. -27. (canceled)
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28. A device for collecting condensate from breath exhaled thereinto comprising:
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mouthpiece means for admitting and directing both inhaled and exhaled breath;
a hollow condensate tube having two open ends connected on one end to said mouthpiece means;
movable valve means sealingly inserted between the interior walls of said tube for preventing the admission of air during inhalation, controlling the admission of exhaled breath into said tube during exhalation and swiping condensate off the interior walls of said tube as it is moved along said tube. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification