System and method for sensing NO
First Claim
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1. An NO sensing system for measuring NO in a breath sample, the system comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive the breath sample as it is exhaled by a subject;
a humidifier fluidly communicating with the inlet and configured to humidify the breath sample as it transmits the breath sample through the humidifier to a humidifier outlet, such that the breath sample exits the humidifier outlet as a humidified sample having a humidity above a predetermined level; and
a sensing element comprising a plurality of sensors electrically coupled together, each of the plurality of sensors configured to generate a potential difference in response to presence of NO in the humidified sample;
wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an effective number of sensors coupled together such that a combined potential difference of the plurality of sensors can indicate a level of NO less than about 100 ppb in the breath sample.
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Abstract
An NO sensing system includes an inlet for receiving an original sample, a humidifier, fluidly communicating with the inlet, and a first sensor. The original sample is fluidly transmitted through the humidifier and exits the humidifier as a humidified sample having a humidity above a predetermined level. The first sensor generates a potential difference in response to presence of NO in the humidified sample. The potential difference is indicative of a level of NO within the original sample.
191 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An NO sensing system for measuring NO in a breath sample, the system comprising:
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an inlet configured to receive the breath sample as it is exhaled by a subject; a humidifier fluidly communicating with the inlet and configured to humidify the breath sample as it transmits the breath sample through the humidifier to a humidifier outlet, such that the breath sample exits the humidifier outlet as a humidified sample having a humidity above a predetermined level; and a sensing element comprising a plurality of sensors electrically coupled together, each of the plurality of sensors configured to generate a potential difference in response to presence of NO in the humidified sample; wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an effective number of sensors coupled together such that a combined potential difference of the plurality of sensors can indicate a level of NO less than about 100 ppb in the breath sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of sensing NO in a breath sample, the method comprising:
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receiving a breath sample from a subject; humidifying the breath sample into a humidified sample having a humidity above a predetermined level; and contacting a sensing element with the humidified sample, wherein the sensing element comprises a plurality of sensors electrically coupled together, thereby generating a combined potential difference of the plurality of sensors in response to presence of NO in the humidified sample; wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an effective number of sensors coupled together such that the combined potential difference of the plurality of sensors can indicate a level of NO less than about 100 ppb in the breath sample. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An NO sensing system for measuring NO in a breath sample, the system comprising:
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an inlet for receiving the breath sample from a subject; means for humidifying the breath sample above a predetermined level resulting in a humidified breath sample; and a sensing element comprising a plurality of sensors electrically coupled together in series, each of the plurality of sensors configured to generate a potential difference in response to presence of NO in the humidified breath sample; wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an effective number of sensors coupled together in series such that a combined potential difference of the plurality of sensors can indicate a level of NO less than about 100 ppb in the breath sample. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification