Device for measurement of exhaled ethanol concentration

• US 9,011,779 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andas Inc.
• Original Assignee: Andas Inc.
• Inventors: Anglin, Timothy Clay Jr., Bemer, Timothy D., Jensen, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, In Suk
• Assistant Examiner(s): EOM, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US14/334,853
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 422/68.1, 422/82.01, 422/82.02, 422/83, 422/84, 422/98, 73/232, 73/233, 73/310.5, 73/310.6, 438/48, 438/49, 977/734, 977/735, 977/737, 977/738, 977/740
• US Class Current: 422/98
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/98 involving alcohol, e.g. ethanol in breath

Abstract

Described is a personal device and methods for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of gas. The device and method may utilize a chemically selective sensor element with low power consumption integrated with circuitry that enables wireless communication between the sensor and any suitable electronic readout such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In preferred form, the sensor circuitry relies upon the quantum capacitance effect of graphene as a transduction mechanism. Also in preferred form, the device and method employ the functionalization of the graphene-based sensor to determine the concentration of ethanol in exhaled breath.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an analyte, comprising:

one or more analyte sensors, each comprising a graphene-based variable capacitor; and

a wireless transmitter,

wherein

the graphene-based variable capacitor comprises a graphene layer and a modifying layer in contact with the graphene layer, wherein the modifying layer comprises molecules having a trifluoroacetate moiety.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (I):

3. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ia):

4. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ib):

5. The device of claim 4, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ib), wherein

R is dodecyl;

and

R² is —

C(O)CH₃.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ic):

7. The device of claim 6, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ic), wherein

n is 0;

and

R is dodecyl.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Id):

9. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ie):

10. The device of claim 9, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ie), wherein

m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;

and

R is pyrenyl.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (I):

12. The device of claim 11, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ia):

13. The device of claim 11, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ib):

14. The device of claim 13, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ib), wherein

R is dodecyl-O-G;

and

R² is —

C(O)CH₃.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ic):

16. The device of claim 15, wherein

the modifying layer comprises molecules of Formula (Ic), wherein

n is 0;

and

R is dodecyl-O-G.

17. The device of claim 2, wherein

R is C₁-C₂₀alkyl or C₁-C₂₀alkenyl, each substituted with —

O-G, wherein G is the graphene layer.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the graphene-based variable capacitor further comprises:

a gate electrode; and

a top electrode.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein

the analyte is ethanol.

20. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

means for providing power to the graphene-based variable capacitor.