Breath analyzer
First Claim
1. A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject comprising:
- at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of the substances;
a plurality of reflecting surfaces of the radiation;
at least one detector receiving the radiation providing electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of the radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to the absorption peaks;
at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of the source, the reflecting surfaces and the detector, adapted for the reception and flow of the breath sample, and exposing the breath samples to the radiation;
at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyze the signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of the substances; and
a response of the system being displayed or otherwise communicated, and perceived as essentially instantaneous.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject, including at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of said substances, a plurality of reflecting surfaces of said radiation adapted for collimation onto at least one detector providing a plurality of electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of said radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to said absorption peaks, at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of said source, reflecting surfaces and detector, adapted to the reception and disposal of said breath sample, and exposing it to said radiation, at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyse said signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of said substances. The response of the system being displayed or otherwise communicated, and perceived as essentially instantaneous.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject comprising:
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at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of the substances; a plurality of reflecting surfaces of the radiation; at least one detector receiving the radiation providing electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of the radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to the absorption peaks; at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of the source, the reflecting surfaces and the detector, adapted for the reception and flow of the breath sample, and exposing the breath samples to the radiation; at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyze the signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of the substances; and a response of the system being displayed or otherwise communicated, and perceived as essentially instantaneous. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject comprising the steps of:
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positioning a measuring cell within the expiratory air flow of a subject, allowing the reception and disposal of the breath sample; exposing the breath sample within the measuring cell to infrared radiation from at least one source within at least one wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of the substances; detecting the radiation after passage through the breath sample and thereby providing a plurality of output signals corresponding to the transmission of the radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to the absorption peaks; the passage through the sample being elongated by a plurality of reflecting surfaces; analysing the signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption coefficients of the substances; and displaying a response to the detection and analysis and enabling the response to be perceived as essentially instantaneous. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification