Gas sensor
First Claim
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1. A method of determining the respiratory function of a subject, the method comprising:
- measuring the concentration of water vapour in the gas stream exhaled by the subject; and
from the measured water vapour concentration determining the respiratory function of the subject.
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Abstract
A method of determining the respiratory function of a subject is disclosed, the method comprising measuring the concentration of water vapour in the gas stream exhaled by the subject, and from the measured water vapour concentration determining the respiratory function of the subject. Mathematical techniques for analyzing the data obtained from the measurement of concentrations of gaseous components in an exhaled gas stream are also disclosed and their use in determining the lung function of a subject.
35 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method of determining the respiratory function of a subject, the method comprising:
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measuring the concentration of water vapour in the gas stream exhaled by the subject; and from the measured water vapour concentration determining the respiratory function of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of determining the lung function of a subject, the method comprising:
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measuring the change in concentration of a gaseous component of the exhaled gas stream of the subject; determining the change in concentration as a function of time for the exhaled gas stream to obtain a profile of the change in concentration with time; measuring the slope of the ascending phase of the profile; and using the slope of the ascending phase making a determination of the lung function of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of determining the lung function of a subject, the method comprising:
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measuring the change in concentration of a gaseous component of the exhaled gas stream of the subject; determining the change in concentration as a function of time for the exhaled gas stream to obtain a profile of the change in concentration with time; analyzing the portion of the profile in the region of the transition from the ascending phase to the plateau phase; and using the results of the analysis to make a determination of the lung function of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for monitoring the lung function of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring the change in concentration of a gaseous component of the exhaled gas stream of the subject; determining the change in concentration as a function of time for the exhaled gas stream to obtain a profile of the change in concentration with time; comparing the profile thus obtained with a pre-existing profile; and using the comparison in making a determination of the lung function of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A device for monitoring the lung function of a subject, the device comprising:
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means for measuring the change in concentration of a gaseous component of the exhaled gas stream of the subject; means determining the change in concentration as a function of time for the exhaled gas stream to obtain a profile of the change in concentration with time; means for storing a plurality of profiles; and means for comparing the profile thus obtained with a pre-existing profile retrieved from the storage means. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for the determination of the carbon dioxide content of an exhaled gas stream, the method comprising:
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measuring the water vapour content of the exhaled gas stream; and determining the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled gas stream from the measured water vapour content. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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41. A sensor for determining the concentration of carbon dioxide in an exhaled gas stream, the sensor comprising:
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means for determining the concentration of water vapour in the exhaled gas stream; and means for calculating the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled gas stream from the measured water vapour concentration. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification