Method and Device For Recovering and Analyzing Respiratory Condensates
First Claim
1. A method for collecting respiratory condensates and immediately determining their constituents, characterized in that the exhaled air is condensed on at least one functionalized or activated surface with cooling;
- the condensate droplets thereby formed are sent directly to an electrochemical sensor and/or biosensor, the signals and/or reactions generated there are detected by means of a power supply system and a measurement, control and analysis system connected to the sensor and the constituents are determined, the condensate droplets reaching the sensor as a result of gravitational force, capillary forces and/or surface effects, depending on the geometric arrangement and dimensions of the surface, and substances that alter the conductivity of the condensate and/or substances that react chemically with the substances to be analyzed are used as the functionalizing or activating substances.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for analyzing components of exhaled air with the aid of electrochemical sensors and/or biosensors. Said components are determined by measuring and evaluating signals generated by one or several of the sensors during contact with said substances or reaction products obtained from said substances. The substances that are to be analyzed are also condensed when the water contained in breathing gas is condensed on a condensation surface. The obtained respiratory condensate is fed directly to the sensors while the condensation surface is functionalized or activated such that an interaction or a chemical reaction takes place with the condensate and/or the substances that are to be analyzed during the condensation process, whereby the signal generated on the sensors is influenced. The invention further relates to a device for recovering respiratory condensates. Said device comprises at least one sensor unit which is placed on a basic element (a fixture or a support) and is provided with an appropriately functionalized or activated condensation surface in addition to the sensors. The inventive device also comprises at least one Peltier element and a heat-conducting bridge. In a preferred embodiment, the basic element can be connected to a head fixture and can thus be positioned directly in the respiratory flow directly in front of the mouth of the person wearing the device and be connected to a portable power supply system and an electronic evaluation system as required.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for collecting respiratory condensates and immediately determining their constituents, characterized in that the exhaled air is condensed on at least one functionalized or activated surface with cooling;
- the condensate droplets thereby formed are sent directly to an electrochemical sensor and/or biosensor, the signals and/or reactions generated there are detected by means of a power supply system and a measurement, control and analysis system connected to the sensor and the constituents are determined, the condensate droplets reaching the sensor as a result of gravitational force, capillary forces and/or surface effects, depending on the geometric arrangement and dimensions of the surface, and substances that alter the conductivity of the condensate and/or substances that react chemically with the substances to be analyzed are used as the functionalizing or activating substances.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for collecting respiratory condensates and for immediately determining their constituents, comprising
a base element in the form of carrier or a holder, comprising a sensor unit, at least one Peltier element for cooling and a connecting heat conducting bridge, whereby the sensor unit has at least one condensation surface which is functionalized or activated with substances that alter the conductivity of the condensate or substances that react chemically with the substances to be analyzed, and comprising at least one electrochemical sensor or biosensor, whereby the functionalized or activated condensation surface and sensor or sensors are connected in such a way that the condensate can flow directly to the sensor through gravitational force, capillary forces or surface effects, depending on the geometric arrangement and dimensions of the condensation surface, as well as a power supply system and an electronic measurement, control and analysis system.
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27. Use of functionalized or activated condensation surfaces for deposition of condensate from the exhaled air for immediate and direct determination of the constituents thereof by means of essentially known electrochemical analysis equipment.
Specification