Breath analysis device

• US 5,458,853 A
• Filed: 09/30/1993
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony Porter
• Original Assignee: Lion Analytics Pty. Ltd.
• Inventors: Porter, Anthony, Breakspere, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, W. Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDWARDS, LAURA ESTELLE
• Application Number:
  US08/129,806
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 422/84, 436/132, 436/148, 436/900, 128/719, 73/23.3
• US Class Current: 422/84
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/98 involving alcohol, e.g. ethanol in breath
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/90 Breath testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/204165 Ethanol

Abstract

A dual breath analysis device having a passive first mode of testing and analysing an exhaled breath sample without the use of a mouthpiece, and a second mode of testing and analysing a second breath sample through a mouthpiece apparatus when the first mode of testing indicates a substantially high level of alcohol in the first breath sample.

Claims

1. A dual breath analysis device for testing and analysing an exhaled breath sample, said device comprising:

a housing;

a sample port coupled to said housing for receiving said exhaled breath sample and being connectable to a mouthpiece apparatus;

a fuel cell for generating a breath alcohol signal in response to said exhaled breath sample;

a dual pumping system coupled to said sample port for pumping said exhaled breath sample to said fuel cell in a passive test mode and for coupling said sample port to said fuel cell for a person to provide said exhaled breath sample at a positive pressure using said mouthpiece apparatus in a direct test mode;

a pressure transducer volumetric measurement system coupled between said sample port and said fuel cell for measuring said exhaled breath sample in said direct test mode;

control means coupled to said dual pumping system, said pressure transducer volumetric measurement system and said fuel cell, said control means for actuating said dual pumping system and for receiving a volumetric measurement from said pressure transducer volumetric measurement system and said breath alcohol signal from said fuel cell, said control means for performing a pass/fail test on a first breath alcohol signal obtained from a first breath sample without using said mouthpiece apparatus in said passive test mode;

in response to detecting the presence of alcohol in said first breath sample by performing said pass/fail test on said first blood alcohol signal, said control means accurately measuring BAC of a second breath alcohol signal obtained from a second breath sample comprising deep alveolar air obtained using said mouthpiece apparatus when said volumetric measurement exceeds a prescribed volume in said direct test mode.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said prescribed volume of deep alveolar air is a minimum of 1.3 liters.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a microprocessor.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said microprocessor provides the following functions:

a) control of all modes;

b) indicate the conditions of operation;

c) record data logging of daily testing; and

d) provide user information.