Method and apparatus for the measurement of components of exhaled breath in humans
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method for measuring components of exhaled breath of a subject, comprising the steps of:
- causing the subject to exhale into an appropriate apparatus for receiving exhaled breath;
increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to cause the velum of the subject to close and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; and
measuring the level of one or more components of the exhaled breath.
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Abstract
Methods and related equipment for measuring components of exhaled breath of a subject are provided which involve causing the subject to exhale into an appropriate apparatus for receiving exhaled breath; increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to close the vellum and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; a means of monitoring nasal CO2 to conrirm vellum closure; and measuring the level of one or more components of the collected exhaled breath. Endogenous nitric oxide is a preferred component of exhaled breath for monitoring and analysis.
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23 Claims
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1. A method for measuring components of exhaled breath of a subject, comprising the steps of:
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causing the subject to exhale into an appropriate apparatus for receiving exhaled breath; increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to cause the velum of the subject to close and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; and measuring the level of one or more components of the exhaled breath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for measuring components of exhaled breath of a subject, comprising conduit means for receiving the exhaled breath from the subject;
- means for increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to cause the velum of the subject to close and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; and
means for measuring the level of one or more components of the received exhaled breath. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- means for increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to cause the velum of the subject to close and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; and
Specification