Method, Apparatus and Kit for Breath Diagnosis
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Abstract
Various medical conditions in a subject may be diagnosed by comparing the concentration of a diagnostic species such as ethane in breath samples from a subject from different stages of the breathing cycle. Using phase sensitive measurement of absorption of IR laser radiation, very small concentrations of the diagnostic species can be measured. Apparatus for collecting breath samples from different stages of the breathing cycle is also disclosed.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1-22. -22. (canceled)
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23. A method for diagnosing a predetermined condition in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(i) determining the amount, or relative amount, of a predetermined diagnostic species in a first breath sample;
(ii) determining the amount, or relative amount, of said predetermined diagnostic species in a second breath sample;
(iii) relating the results of steps (i) and (ii) with the presence or absence of said predetermined condition;
wherein said first sample and second sample are ex vivo and are derived from different phases of a breathing cycle of said subject, the first breath sample being of tidal breath and the second breath sample being of alveolar breath, and steps (i) and (ii) are carried out using a measurement apparatus arranged to detect the absorption of electromagnetic radiation at and around a known absorption wavelength for the diagnostic species. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification