HIGH FREQUENCY AIRWAY OSCILLATION FOR EXHALED AIR DIAGNOSTICS

• US 20100324439A1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Davenport, Paul Wesley
• Application Number:
  US12/797,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20100324439A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/532
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to noninvasive methods for obtaining exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples from the airways and lungs of a subject for use in diagnosing various conditions and diseases associated with biomarkers present in EBC, including diagnosis of lung cancer. The methods of the subject invention include generating and/or applying an oscillating airflow to a subject during inhalation and/or exhalation to induce increased concentration of biomarkers in EBC; collecting EBC from exhaled breath; and analyzing the collected EBC for biomarkers associated with disorders and/or diseases.

Claims

1. A method for increasing the concentration of exhaled breath condensates (EBC) in exhaled breath comprising:

supplying an external means for generating and/or maintaining an oscillating airflow to a subject;

collecting at least one exhaled breath sample from the subject following application of the oscillating airflow; and

collecting an EBC sample from the exhaled breath sample.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying and/or measuring the concentration of at least one biomarker present in the EBC sample.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of identifying any diseases or conditions associated with the biomarker(s) present in the EBC sample.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the biomarker is one associated with lung cancer.

5. A system for increasing the concentration of EBC in exhaled breath comprising:

an external oscillating means for application to a breathing circuit to a subject; and

a collection means for collecting at least one exhaled breath and EBC sample from the subject.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a sensor for detecting any biomarker present in the EBC sample.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the biomarker is one associated with lung cancer.