Apparatus and method for diagnostic gas analysis
First Claim
1. A device for diagnostic NO measurements, the device comprising:
- a combined inlet and outlet configured to provide NO-scrubbed inhalation air to a patient and to accept an exhalation air at an exhalation flow rate;
a NO scrubber connected to the combined inlet and outlet along an inhalation flow path, the NO scrubber configured to provide NO-scrubbed air to the combined inlet and outlet;
a buffer chamber connected to the combined inlet and outlet along an exhalation flow path, the buffer chamber configured to temporarily hold a sample of the exhalation air for a period of time;
a flow regulator positioned between the combined inlet and outlet and the buffer chamber, the flow regulator configured to control the exhalation flow rate to 20-800 ml/s;
an electrochemical NO sensor connected to the buffer chamber, the electrochemical sensor configured to receive the sample of exhalation air temporarily held by the buffer chamber; and
means for feeding the temporarily held sample of the exhalation air from the buffer chamber to the electrochemical NO sensor at a suitable flow rate for the electrochemical NO sensor, wherein the suitable flow rate for the electrochemical NO sensor is lower than the exhalation flow rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A handheld, small but accurate and reliable device for diagnostic NO measurements using a NO sensor, where the parameters governing the taking of the sample are different from the parameters optimal for the accuracy of said NO sensor I described. By temporarily storing a portion of the exhaled air, and feeding this to the sensor at a flow rate adapted to the NO sensor, the accuracy and sensitivity of a system/method involving NO sensors, in particular electrochemical NO sensors, can be increased. The method for diagnostic NO measurements comprises steps for controlling the inhalation of NO free air, as well as the exhalation, both by built-in means and by audible and/or visual feedback to the patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for diagnostic NO measurements, the device comprising:
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a combined inlet and outlet configured to provide NO-scrubbed inhalation air to a patient and to accept an exhalation air at an exhalation flow rate; a NO scrubber connected to the combined inlet and outlet along an inhalation flow path, the NO scrubber configured to provide NO-scrubbed air to the combined inlet and outlet; a buffer chamber connected to the combined inlet and outlet along an exhalation flow path, the buffer chamber configured to temporarily hold a sample of the exhalation air for a period of time; a flow regulator positioned between the combined inlet and outlet and the buffer chamber, the flow regulator configured to control the exhalation flow rate to 20-800 ml/s; an electrochemical NO sensor connected to the buffer chamber, the electrochemical sensor configured to receive the sample of exhalation air temporarily held by the buffer chamber; and means for feeding the temporarily held sample of the exhalation air from the buffer chamber to the electrochemical NO sensor at a suitable flow rate for the electrochemical NO sensor, wherein the suitable flow rate for the electrochemical NO sensor is lower than the exhalation flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20)
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11. A method for diagnostic NO measurements, the method comprising the steps of:
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a patient inhales through an inhalation flow path of a device comprising a flow regulator, an electrochemical NO sensor, a NO scrubber, and a buffer chamber, said patient exhales air into an exhalation flow path of said device, wherein an exhalation flow rate and pressure is controlled to a preset value between 20-800 ml/s by the flow regulator, a sample of the exhaled air from said patient is temporarily held for a period of time in said buffer chamber, said sample is fed to said electrochemical NO sensor at a flow rate lower than the exhalation flow rate, and an NO concentration is determined in said sample. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification