GAS DETECTING AND QUANTITATIVE MEASURING DEVICE
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Abstract
An improved device for the detection of, and quantitative measurement of a gas in a given environment, such as alcohol in the breath, is described. The device comprises intake means, reservoir means, and flow control means for a gas sample; an electrochemical cell having a low resistance anode, a cathode, a reference electrode, and an electrolyte in contact with the anode, cathode, and reference electrode which electrochemically measures the gas being detected; valve means for splitting the gas flow from the gas reservoir into fractions, and pump means for drawing the gas sample from the intake means through the reservoir, through the valve means, and to the electrochemical cell. The anode, to ensure that the current production is a result of the gas being detected and not other gases including oxygen, is maintained at a fixed potential in relation to the potential of the reference electrode. The device provides an accurate, rapid and inexpensive means of detecting and quantitatively measuring a gas contained in a given environment, i.e. alcohol in the breath of the subject being tested or carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, utilizing small gas samples thereby permitting the use of compact, portable units.
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