BREATH ANALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSTICS AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

• US 20100137733A1
• Filed: 11/30/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tricorntech Corp.
• Original Assignee: Tricorn Tech Corporation
• Inventors: Young, Chi-Lin, Wang, Li-Peng, Huang, Chien-Lin, Chou, Tsung-Kuan A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,568,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/532
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/025 Gas chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2033/4975 other than oxygen, carbon dioxide or alcohol, e.g. organic vapours
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for the detecting of whether a subject has a lung disorder such as asthma, tuberculosis or lung cancer. Monitoring the subject'"'"'s health and prognosis is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for the detecting whether a subject has asthma or monitoring a subject with asthma, said method comprising:

contacting breath from said subject with an apparatus, said apparatus having a gas chromatograph, wherein said gas chromatograph is fluidly coupled to a detector array to produce a signal; and

analyzing said signal from the detector array to determine whether said subject has asthma.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a handheld apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the grade and severity of asthma is determined.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said exhaled breath contains nitric oxide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said exhaled breath contains volatile organic compounds (VOC).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said VOC is a member selected from the group consisting of 4-methyloctane, 2,4-dimethylheptane, isopropanol, toluene, isoprene, alkane, acetic, acetone, 2,6,11-trimethyl dodecane, 3,7-dimethyl undecane, 2,3-dimethyl heptane and a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein efficacy of a therapeutic is monitored with periodic breath samples.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said handheld apparatus further comprises a spirometer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the volume and speed of airflow from the breath is measured and/or controlled.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the flow rate of exhaled breath is increased.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the flow rate of exhaled breath is decreased.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured breath of said subject is from inhaled breath, exhaled breath or both.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the breath of said subject is from a ventilator in fluid communication with the lung of said subject.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the breath of said subject is from a bag configured to collect breath from said subject.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a preconcentrator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said preconcentrator contains a substance having affinity for nitric oxide and VOCs.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein ambient air is monitored for an environmental warning for said subject.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein ambient air is saved as a background signal.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said detector array comprises a MEMS sensor array.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing of the signal is via a pattern recognition algorithm.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said detector array is removable and replaceable.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein said preconcentrator and gas chromatograph are disposable.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said apparatus further comprises a mouthpiece.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said mouthpiece is removable, replaceable and disposable.

25. A method for detecting whether a subject has tuberculosis or monitoring a tuberculosis subject, said method comprising:

contacting breath from said subject with an apparatus, said apparatus having a gas chromatograph, wherein said gas chromatograph is fluidly coupled to a detector array to produce a signal; and

analyzing said signal from the detector array to determine whether said subject has tuberculosis.

26-43. -43. (canceled)

27. A method for the detecting whether a subject has lung cancer or monitoring a subject with lung cancer, said method comprising:

contacting breath from said subject with an apparatus, said apparatus having a gas chromatograph, wherein said gas chromatograph is fluidly coupled to a detector array to produce a signal; and

analyzing said signal from the detector array to determine whether said subject has lung cancer.

28-57. -57. (canceled)