Controlling flow of exhaled breath during analysis
First Claim
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1. A diagnostic apparatus for detecting an analyte in exhaled breath, said apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a flow-through passage and adapted to receive exhaled breath from a subject;
an analyte sensing element responsive to said analyte when retained in said flow-through passage; and
a pump means for moving said exhaled breath from a subject and through said flow-through passage at a controlled rate;
wherein said flow-through passage comprises a primary passage and a secondary passage branched off from said primary passage;
wherein said flow-through passage divides into said primary passage and said secondary passage at an upstream junction in said flow-through passage and said secondary passage recombines with said primary passage at a downstream junction in said flow-through passage; and
wherein said pump means comprises a first pump in said primary passage and a second pump in said secondary passage.
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Abstract
The flow rate of a gaseous sample of exhaled breath through an analytical device is controlled by a pump, and in certain embodiments two pumps. Placement of the analyte sensor in a secondary stream branching off of the primary stream through the device offers further control over the manner, duration, and quantity of the breath that is placed in contact with the sensor.
23 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A diagnostic apparatus for detecting an analyte in exhaled breath, said apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a flow-through passage and adapted to receive exhaled breath from a subject; an analyte sensing element responsive to said analyte when retained in said flow-through passage; and a pump means for moving said exhaled breath from a subject and through said flow-through passage at a controlled rate; wherein said flow-through passage comprises a primary passage and a secondary passage branched off from said primary passage; wherein said flow-through passage divides into said primary passage and said secondary passage at an upstream junction in said flow-through passage and said secondary passage recombines with said primary passage at a downstream junction in said flow-through passage; and wherein said pump means comprises a first pump in said primary passage and a second pump in said secondary passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification