Breath condensate sampler and detector and breath/breath condensate sampler and detector
First Claim
1. A portable unit for breath sampling and detecting comprising:
- a portable adapter configured to receive an exhaled breath sample from a patient;
a channel in fluid communication with the adapter;
a condenser disposed within the channel to condense water vapor in exhaled breath sample, said condenser comprising a condensation surface;
a portable exhaled breath condensate sensor coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more analytes present in the condensed water vapor, wherein the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor are contained in a removable cartridge;
a flow channel disposed between the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor; and
a portable gas-phase detector coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more gas-phase analytes in the exhaled breath sample,wherein the portable adapter, portable exhaled breath condensate sensor and portable gas-phase detector together form the portable unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a direct sampler and detector for analytes found in exhaled breath condensate. Analytes in the breath condensate are detected instantaneously as they condense prior to reaching the sensor surface or condense directly on the sensor surface. Because the analysis or assay is performed immediately after patient exhalation, analyte stability is significantly improved providing accurate, reliable, consistent, and clinically applicable results. In certain embodiments, combined breath condensate/breath samplers and detectors are provided, enabling multiplexed analysis of condensed and vapor-phase analytes provided in a single sampling session. Breath is collected and directed to one or more subsystems. Within each subsystem, the breath portion is either condensed or prevented from condensing. The technique also allows real-time continuous monitoring, thus allowing immediate feedback to both medical professionals and additional hardware such as ventilators, anesthesia machines, drug infusion systems and cardiac pacemakers.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A portable unit for breath sampling and detecting comprising:
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a portable adapter configured to receive an exhaled breath sample from a patient; a channel in fluid communication with the adapter; a condenser disposed within the channel to condense water vapor in exhaled breath sample, said condenser comprising a condensation surface; a portable exhaled breath condensate sensor coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more analytes present in the condensed water vapor, wherein the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor are contained in a removable cartridge; a flow channel disposed between the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor; and a portable gas-phase detector coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more gas-phase analytes in the exhaled breath sample, wherein the portable adapter, portable exhaled breath condensate sensor and portable gas-phase detector together form the portable unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A portable unit for breath sampling and detecting comprising:
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a portable adapter configured to receive an exhaled breath sample from a patient; a channel in fluid communication with the adapter; a condenser disposed within the channel to condense water vapor in exhaled breath sample, said condenser comprising a condensation surface; a portable exhaled breath condensate sensor coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more analytes present in the condensed water vapor; a flow channel disposed between the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor; a portable gas-phase detector coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more gas-phase analytes in the exhaled breath sample; and timers that activate one or more of the exhaled breath condensate sensor and gas-phase detector at appropriate time(s), wherein the portable adapter, portable exhaled breath condensate sensor and portable gas-phase detector together form the portable unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A portable unit for breath sampling and detecting comprising:
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a portable adapter configured to receive an exhaled breath sample from a patient; a channel in fluid communication with the adapter; a condenser disposed within the channel to condense water vapor in exhaled breath sample, said condenser comprising a condensation surface; a portable exhaled breath condensate sensor coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more analytes present in the condensed water vapor; a flow channel disposed between the condensation surface and the exhaled breath condensate sensor; a portable gas-phase detector coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more gas-phase analytes in the exhaled breath sample; and a metered sample volume for holding the condensed water vapor before delivery to the exhaled breath condensate sensor, wherein the metered sample volume comprises a well having a monitoring device that detects when the well is full of condensed water vapor, wherein the metered sample volume is configured to provide a specific and uniform volume of condensed water vapor to the exhaled breath condensate sensor, and wherein the portable adapter, portable exhaled breath condensate sensor and portable gas-phase detector together form the portable unit. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A portable unit for breath sampling and detecting comprising:
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a portable adapter configured to receive an exhaled breath sample from a patient; a channel in fluid communication with the adapter; a condenser comprising a condensation surface disposed within the channel for condensing water vapor in the exhaled breath sample; a portable exhaled breath condensate sensor coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more analytes present in the condensed water vapor, wherein the condensation surface is a surface of the exhaled breath condensate sensor such that the exhaled breath sample condenses directly on and is analyzed on the condensation surface of the exhaled breath condensate sensor; timers that activate one or more of the exhaled breath condensate sensor and gas-phase detector at appropriate time(s); and a portable gas-phase detector coupled to or integral with the adapter, configured to detect one or more gas-phase analytes in the exhaled breath sample, wherein the portable adapter, portable exhaled breath condensate sensor and portable gas-phase detector together form the portable unit. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification