DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING BIOMARKERS

• US 20140021065A1
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Senzair B. V.
• Original Assignee: Senzair B. V.
• Inventors: Olthuis, Wouter, Van Den Berg, Albert, Wiedemair, Justyna
• Application Number:
  US13/988,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20140021065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/777.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0087 Breath samples
• 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: G01N 27/4045 for gases other than oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the measurement of hydrogen peroxide and optionally other biomarkers in a gaseous mixture, and in particular to a microfabricated device. The device comprises hydrogen peroxide capturing means and an electromechanical sensor comprising a sensing element in direct contact with the capturing means. The device further comprises means to measure the potential of the sensing element and/or the current through it as a result of a changing hydrogen peroxide concentration in the gaseous mixture. The device also comprises cooling/heating means for cooling and/or heating the capturing means. The device is preferably applied for online measurement of the hydrogen peroxide content in exhaled air.

Claims

1. Device for the measurement of hydrogen peroxide and optionally other biomarkers in a gaseous mixture, the device comprising hydrogen peroxide capturing means and an electrochemical sensor comprising a sensing element in direct contact with the capturing means, the device further comprising means to measure the potential of the sensing element and/or the current through it as a result of a changing hydrogen peroxide concentration in the gaseous mixture, as well as cooling/heating means for cooling and/or heating the capturing means.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises means to set the potential of the sensing element and measure the current as a result of a changing hydrogen peroxide concentration in the gaseous mixture.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling/heating means comprise a Peltier element.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the capturing means comprise a membrane that covers the sensing element.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the membrane comprises a polymer, a gel, a hydrogel, a stimulus responsive hydrogel and/or a xerogel.

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein the membrane comprises a microporous membrane.

7. Device according to claim 4, wherein the membrane comprises a hygroscopic additive.

8. Device according to claim 4, wherein the membrane comprises pH control means.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the pH control means comprise a buffered electrolyte solution.

10. Device according to claim 8, wherein the pH control means comprise pH active groups incorporated in the membrane material.

11. Device according to claim 4, wherein the membrane comprises a solid polymer electrolyte.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a buffer reservoir.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous mixture comprises exhaled air, and the device is provided with supply means for the exhaled air that connect to the capturing means.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the supply means comprise a flexible tube that is provided with heating means.

15. Use of a device as claimed in claim 1 for measuring the hydrogen peroxide content in the airflow exhaled by a person.

16. Use as claimed in claim 15, wherein the person is subjected to physical exertion and the hydrogen peroxide content and optionally the content of other biomarkers is measured during this exertion.

17. Use of a device as claimed in claim 1 for measuring the hydrogen peroxide content in a gas mixture with or without using enzymes.

18. Method for the measurement of hydrogen peroxide and optionally other biomarkers in a gaseous mixture, the method comprising capturing hydrogen peroxide in capturing means, electrochemically converting the hydrogen peroxide in the gaseous mixture at a sensing element of an electrochemical sensor in direct contact with the capturing means, and measuring the potential of the sensing element and/or the current through it as a result of a changing hydrogen peroxide concentration in the gaseous mixture, whereby the capturing means are cooled and/or heated before, during or after measuring hydrogen peroxide.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises capturing hydrogen peroxide in capturing means, electrochemically converting the hydrogen peroxide in the gaseous mixture at a sensing element of an electrochemical sensor in direct contact with the capturing means, setting the potential of the sensing element and measuring the current as a result of a changing hydrogen peroxide concentration in the gaseous mixture.

20. Method according to claim 18, wherein the capturing means are heated after having measured the hydrogen peroxide.

21. Method according to claim 18, wherein the sensing element is preconditioned, preferably electrochemically.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein preconditioning is carried out by holding a working electrode WE of the sensing element at a constant potential during a period of time between 0 and 10 min.

23. Method according to claim 21, wherein preconditioning is carried out by a step sequence of different potentials, comprising a conditioning for a period of time shorter than 10 min. at a first potential, and measuring H2O2 at a potential lower than the first potential, this sequence being carried out a number of cycles.

24. Method according to claim 21, wherein preconditioning is carried out in the same solution as used for the actual measurement.

25. Method according to claim 18, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is captured in a membrane that covers the sensing element.

26. Method according to claim 18, wherein to the capturing means is added a hygroscopic additive.

27. Method according to claim 18, wherein to the capturing means is added a pH control means, preferably a buffered electrolyte solution.

28. Method according to claim 18, wherein the sensing element is calibrated.

29. Method according to claim 28, wherein the sensing element is calibrated by measuring another electrochemically active species in the gaseous mixture, which concentration remains substantially constant, and use this concentration as a reference value.

30. Method according to claim 18, wherein the gaseous mixture comprises exhaled air and exhaled air is led to the capturing means on-line.