METABOLIC ANALYZER

• US 20130150746A1
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Tao, Nongjian, Forzani, Erica
• Granted Patent: US 10,143,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/531
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/083 Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]

Abstract

A method for weight and/or fitness management using a metabolic analyzer that measures metabolic data including oxygen and carbon dioxide. The metabolic analyzer includes integrated collection-detection sensors with for high efficiency and collection, high specificity and simultaneous detection of at least two metabolic signatures, including at least oxygen and carbon dioxide, in breath via a porous membrane with high density of sensing binding sites, where the porous membrane includes sensing materials such that the sensing binding sites are specific to the metabolic signatures, and change colors upon interactions with the metabolic signatures. Weight of the subject is measured using a weight measurement device and a recommendation for food intake and/or physical activity is based on at least the readings of the metabolic analyzer and weight of the subject.

Claims

1. A method for weight and/or fitness management comprising:

using a metabolic analyzer that measures metabolic data including oxygen and carbon dioxide, the metabolic analyzer including

a plurality of integrated collection-detection sensors with for high efficiency and collection, high specificity and simultaneous detection of at least two metabolic signatures, including at least oxygen and carbon dioxide, in breath via a solid support or pourous membrane with high density of sensing binding sites, wherein the solid support includes sensing materials such that the sensing binding sites are specific to the metabolic signatures, and change colors upon interactions with the metabolic signatures;

measuring weight of the subject using a weight measurement device; and

recommending food intake and/or physical activity based on at least the readings of the metabolic analyzer and weight of the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring metabolic data includes measuring initial resting energy expenditure (REE), total energy expenditures (TEE) and respiratory quotient (RQ).

3. The method of claim 2 including operating the metabolic analyzer to recommend an initial calorie intake.

4. The method of claim 3 where, if the subject has normal body mass index (BMI), the recommended calorie intake is equal to TEE, if the subject has overweight or obese BMI, the recommended calorie intake follows published guidelines and also recommends how many minutes of a given activity the subject will need to meet the calories reduction target.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein, after a first recommendation, follow-up recommendations are based on the changes of REE, TEE, and weight (WT).

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least two metabolic signatures further include ketones, including acetone, sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and water.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

introducing breath through a mouthpiece;

monitoring breath volume or rate from the mouthpiece;

illuminating at least one light sensor; and

detecting changing colors of the plurality of integrated sensors that include a solid support coated with sensing materials, which change color upon interactions with target analytes.

8. The method of claim 7 where the at least one light sensor includes a photodetector, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD) for detecting color changes from which the analyte concentrations are determined.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein monitoring breath volume or rate comprises operating a flow meter or a pressure sensor from which the breath volume or rate is determined.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein monitoring breath volume or rate comprises coupling a bag with a fixed volume to collect a breath after passing it over the sensing materials in a timed period.

11. The method of claim 7 comprising generating a signal with the light sensor and transmitting the signal to a mobile device, where the relevant data are processed, displayed, stored and further transmitted.

12. The method of claim 7 comprising locating the plurality of integrated sensors on the mouthpiece so that breath passes through the solid support to facilitate reactions of the analytes in the breath with the sensing materials coated on the solid support.

13. The method of claim 7 comprising locating the light source and the light sensor at the opposite sides of the sensor so that light from the light source transmitted through the sensor is detected by the light sensor.

14. The method of claim 7 comprising locating the light source and light sensor on the same side relative to the solid support such that the reflected or scattered light from the solid support is detected.

15. The method of claim 7 comprising controlling the light source, conditions output signals an electronic circuit controls and wirelessly transmitting the signals to an external device.

16. The method of claim 7 wherein at least the mouthpiece, the light source, and the sensors are integrated into a unitary device.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid support includes sensing materials comprising nanoparticles or microparticles having high density binding sites.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid support comprises a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, natural polymers, polyester, nylon, cellulose, glass-based substrates, fiber glass, sol gel, silica, alumina, silica gel and composites thereof.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring metabolic processes including:

integrating a sensor in a cell phone; and

using the sensor for detecting consumed oxygen rate and produced carbon dioxide rate from breath obtained with a fixed volume in a timed period.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

integrating the sensor in a cell phone; and

using the sensor for detecting consumed oxygen rate and produced carbon dioxide rate from breath expiratory rates obtained from a pressure sensor or flowmeter.