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Spectroscopic breath analysis

  • US 7,300,408 B2
  • Filed: 08/16/2002
  • Issued: 11/27/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Exhaled breath analysis apparatus for quantifying the presence of one or more target substances in exhaled breath comprising:

  • a cavity enhanced absorption assembly comprising an optical cavity coupled to an optical source operable to emit radiation and an optical detector configured to generate a signal representative of the intensity of radiation in said optical cavity, wherein the optical cavity is arranged to allow radiation emitted from the optical source to be repeatedly reflected and retrace its path to excite a plurality of cavity modes;

    a breath collection assembly arranged to pass at least a portion of said exhaled breath into said optical cavity for illumination by said radiation; and

    a data processor connected to said optical detector and adapted to quantify the presence of said one or more target substances in said optical cavity by measuring a reduction in the intensity of radiation in said optical cavity caused by variations in cavity ringdown time caused by absorption of said radiation by said target substance.

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