Breath Testing Patents (Class 436/900)
  • Patent number: 8920334
    Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis method for determining a functional parameter of an organ of a human or animal individual by measuring the 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual to which a substrate has been administered the reaction of which in the body of the individual enriches the air exhaled by the individual with 13CO2. The method is characterized by using a measuring device, the maximum reaction rate of the substrate in the body of the individual being determined via a change of the measured 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual using zero-order enzyme kinetics. The invention also relates to an aqueous methacetin solution for use in said analysis method, the pH of the solution being greater 7.0. The invention also relates to a face mask (1) for use in the inventive method for separating the exhaled air from the air inhaled by an individual. Said face mask comprises a face mask body (2) and an air cushion (3) encircling the face mask body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Freie Universitaet Berlin, Charité Universitaetmedizin Berlin
    Inventors: Martin Stockmann, Bjön Riecke
  • Patent number: 8890655
    Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8542096
    Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: John C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8377705
    Abstract: A breath analyzer system and method for determining an estimate of blood alcohol concentration of a person. A light source projects light into a sampling region where breath from the person is expected. A first light detector and a second light detector are configured to detect light intensity of light having certain wavelengths at a first time and a second time. Signals from the light detectors at the first time and the second time are used to determine an estimate of the blood alcohol concentration of the person by determining a ratio of a first light detector signal change to a second light detector signal change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Lambert, Michel F. Sultan
  • Patent number: 8330599
    Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: John C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8195406
    Abstract: One or more alcohol inputs are received at the interactive system. Each of the alcohol inputs corresponds to an alcoholic beverage to be consumed by a consumer. The system calculates an estimated blood-alcohol level of the consumer based on the alcohol inputs. The estimated blood-alcohol level is compared with one or more alcohol impairment limits retrieved from an electronic data store. If the comparison reveals that the consumer might be impaired, an alert is automatically signaled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia Mai Do, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Anne Seacat
  • Patent number: 8188861
    Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: John C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 7992422
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing the health of an individual by collecting a breath sample from the individual and measuring the amount of each of a plurality of analytes in the sample. The amount of each analytes is measured by fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell sample electrode is contacted with the sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the analytes on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell. Each of the plurality of analytes is generally indicative of an aspect of the individual's health. Suitable analytes include, for example, inorganic compounds as well as compositions that exhibit negative reduction reactions at least for a portion of the time response curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Luke M. Haverhals
  • Patent number: 7855081
    Abstract: Interference detector and methods for detecting interference in a signal are described. More specifically, in one aspect, a method for detecting interference in a signal is provided. The method comprises determining whether the signal has at least one of a time and a frequency characteristic that is outside a predefined range, and determining that an interference event has been detected if the signal has at least one of such characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Intoximeters, Inc., Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith W. Lueck, M. Rankine Forrester, Gary L. Sibley, John Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7736903
    Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a suspect chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity, for use with safety systems. A vapor concentrator amplifies a suspect chemical vapor concentration to a detectible level, for use with an infrared detector. Compensation is provided for environmental variations that may influence the passive measurement of the chemical vapor sensor. Environmental variations may include extrinsic vapors in the surrounding air, or air currents that divert the sample vapor as it drifts from the suspect vapor source to a sampling intake. In an example, ethanol vapor is measured and carbon dioxide tracer measurements are used to calculate an ethanol vapor measurement that is adjusted for environmental variations. In an aspect, a time artifact filter sets the output of the carbon dioxide sensor to match the time dependence of the ethanol sensor, to calculate blood alcohol concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K Lambert, Dale L. Partin, Michel F. Sultan
  • Patent number: 7421882
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing the health of an individual by collecting a breath sample from the individual and measuring the amount of each of a plurality of analytes in the sample. The amount of each analytes is measured by fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell sample electrode is contacted with the sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the analytes on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell. Each of the plurality of analytes is generally indicative of an aspect of the individual's health. Suitable analytes include, for example, inorganic compounds as well as compositions that exhibit negative reduction reactions at least for a portion of the time response curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Luke M. Haverhals
  • Patent number: 7413892
    Abstract: Acoustic wave devices coated with a biolayer are described for the detection target bio-molecules. The acoustic wave device is connected in an oscillator circuit, and the frequency shift ?f resulting from a biomolecular event is recorded. Further described are the use of Rayleigh wave surface acoustic wave devices for vapor phase detection as well as quartz crystal microbalance devices for liquid phase measurements. A biofilm on the surface of the acoustic wave device comprises of a layer of antibodies raised against a specific target molecule or antigen. Signatures for detection events are presented in the form of frequency shifts ?f(t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: William D. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7329390
    Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device includes a flow chamber, for receiving exhaled breathing gas of a person, with a flow diaphragm. A differential pressure sensor has a first measuring connection via a first gas line (5) to the interior space of the flow chamber (2) upstream of the flow diaphragm (3), and a second measuring connection via second and third gas lines (12, 15) and a breath alcohol sensor (8) to the interior space of the flow chamber (2) downstream of the flow diaphragm (3). A throttling element (14) is present in the second gas line (12). The second gas line (12) is connected to a sampling system (9, 10), and an evaluating and control unit (6) is connected to the sensors (4, 8) and to the sampling system (9, 10) for controlling the sampling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Drager Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Burkhard Stock, Dieter Krüger, Rigobert Chrzan, Hans-Jürgen Busack
  • Patent number: 7236094
    Abstract: A method for providing an automotive safety system, comprising the steps of: collecting and analyzing data from the proximity of a potential driver, determining whether the potential driver is under the influence of intoxicating substances, and disabling an automotive ignition system if the potential driver is determined to be under the influence of intoxicating substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Micheal P. Jones
  • Patent number: 7218236
    Abstract: A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer and a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition system of the vehicle. The breath analyzer detects the breath alcohol level of a vehicle operator and is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The controller requires the vehicle operator to periodically take breath analyzer “retests” after vehicle ignition in order to allow vehicle operation to continue. The breath analyzer also detects the presence of alcohol within the vehicle, such as alcohol emanating from an open container of alcohol. The controller may override one or more periodic retests if alcohol is not detected within the vehicle over a predetermined period of time. In addition, the controller may increase the frequency of periodic retests of the vehicle operator in response to detecting alcohol within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Monitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Mobley, Brian McMillin, James R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7049149
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to propose a novel biomarker for stress states, which biomarker is highly meaningful and capable of enabling quantitative measurements to be made of stress levels. To do this, it has been found, surprisingly, that the air at the end of a person's breathing out, known as “alveolar” air, contains fluorine compounds when that person has been subjected to various stress states. More precisely, the present invention provides components based on fluorine compounds, in particular fluorinated chloroalkanes, used as biomarkers of stress states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: AR2I SA - Analyses - Recherches et Innovation Instrumentale
    Inventors: Christian Sarbach, Pascal Delvordre, Eric Postaire
  • Patent number: 6974706
    Abstract: A method for detecting compounds of interest in bodily fluids, including exhaled breath and blood. The present invention uses biosensors that mimic naturally occurring cellular mechanisms, including RNA oligonucleotide chains or “aptamers,” in combination with molecular beacons or nanotechnology to provide an effective and efficient method for diagnosing a condition and/or disease within a patient. The subject invention also provides a method for screening those analytes/biomarkers likely to be present in exhaled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Melker, Donn Michael Dennis
  • Patent number: 6923079
    Abstract: Data representing one or more characteristics of an input airflow (e.g., an airflow associated with a human being, such as breath or an airflow resulting from motion of the human being, or a wind tunnel airflow) is acquired and, if necessary or desirable, processed, then stored, transmitted to a remote location, and/or played back. Playback of acquired airflow data entails generating a display airflow corresponding to the input airflow. The characteristic of an airflow regarding which data is acquired is often the velocity of the airflow, though data regarding other airflow characteristics (e.g., direction, temperature, humidity, odor) can also be acquired in addition to, or instead of, airflow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Scott S. Snibbe
  • Patent number: 6792793
    Abstract: A breath measurement instrument using a combination of breath pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements to determine whether or not breath samples are human and properly delivered. Valid samples require maintenance of a threshold dynamic pressure of a sample being introduced for a predetermined time, a valid temperature of the sample and a valid humidity of the sample, wherein the range of valid sample temperatures is adjusted according to a measured sample humidity. Also disclosed is a breath alcohol instrument having an alcohol-specific fuel cell and a fuel cell circuit for generating a breath alcohol signal. Further disclosed is an interlock system for inhibiting operation of machinery such as a vehicle, and a method for screening breath samples and determining an alcohol content thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Ignition Lock International
    Inventor: Joaquin L. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 6464941
    Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring apparatus includes a sample intake channel (7) for receiving the respiratory gas sample and a temperature sensor mounted in the sample intake channel (7). The breath alcohol measuring apparatus is so improved that the influence of the mouthpiece on the detection of the temperature of the respiratory gas sample is substantially eliminated. The temperature sensor is configured as an infrared optical thermometer (14) with a filter (10) transmissive for the infrared radiation. The filter (10) is disposed in the sample intake channel (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Dräger Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Diekmann
  • Patent number: 6319724
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of an analyte indicative of various medical conditions, including halitosis, periodontal disease and other diseases are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignees: Cyrano Sciences, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Bernard Wong, David M. Kelso, Beth C. Munoz
  • Patent number: 6265221
    Abstract: A device for use in trapping and assaying 14CO2 in air exhaled by a person to which a 14CO labelled compound has been administered, in particular 14CO labelled urea, comprises first and second substantially flat oblong duct forming elements joined to each other at their edges except for one of their short edges and forming a duct between them. The first duct forming element includes a gas permeable matrix element for absorption of CO2. The device is provided with indicator means for visual detection of CO2 absorption and a film element of low &bgr;-radiation absorptivity interposed or interposable between the matrix element and a &bgr;-radiation measuring instrument. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Noster System AB
    Inventor: Stefan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6254547
    Abstract: The alkane profile, comprising the alveolar gradients of n-alkanes in breath having 2 to 20 carbons, and the alveolar gradients of methylated C3-C20 alkanes, is determined for the diagnosis of disease in mammals, including humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Phillips
  • Patent number: 6214317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic agent for diabetes, which comprises glucose labelled with 13C at a specific position, or pyruvic acid labelled with 13C at least one specific position. According to the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic agent for diabetes which can be used safely without side effects to give accurate results immediately with less physical pains on the subject. The present diagnostic agent for diabetes can distinguish between healthy persons and patients with diabetes even under the circumstances where the patients are easily missed, and further it can determine the type of diabetes (insulin-dependent type or insulin-independent type).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Kohno, Isaburo Hosoi, Junko Ohshima, Kunihiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 6205840
    Abstract: A combined time clock breathalyzer is provided including a clock for tracking a current time, an inlet port, an alcohol sensor connected to the inlet port for determining an amount of alcohol in an air flow, and a printer. Also included is a controller adapted to calculate an alcohol percentage amount within a user from the amount of alcohol detected by the alcohol sensor. The controller is further adapted to provide an indication upon the alcohol percentage amount being greater than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Terry L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6180414
    Abstract: A breath test for determining the rate of metabolism of a drug is described. First, a safe and effective amount of the drug, preferably appropriately labelled and most preferably isotopically-labelled, is administered to a subject. After a suitable time period, the exhaled breath of the subject is analyzed to determine the concentration of a metabolite. The concentration of the metabolite is then used to determine the rate of metabolism of the drug. A breath test kit is also described. Such a breath test kit would include an item or items necessary for performing at least one of the methods of determining the rate of metabolism of a drug in a subject. For example, such a breath test kit could include an isotopically-labelled drug to be administered to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Oridion Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Katzman
  • Patent number: 6177051
    Abstract: A dispensable alcohol breath analyzer system including a rectilinear box with an analyzer on one face and an extendable tube on another face. The system also includes a plurality of units located within the box to be dispensed, each unit containing an analyzer and a sanitary wrapper therearound. The indicator includes a cylindrical alcohol indicator and an associated rotatable indicator arrow. A gauge is provided whereby the increased content of alcohol permeates through the indicator to rotate the arrow to an extent corresponding to the percent of alcohol within the breath detected. The second indicator includes a diaphragm through which the user's breath may flow to exterior of the device and an associated color gauge thereadjacent whereby the diaphragm will change colors as a function of the percent of alcohol in the breath of the user for being compared with the color on the gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Rosemarie L. Kimelman
  • Patent number: 6174730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent for evaluating a hepatic operation, comprising an aromatic amino acid, methionine, alanine, fructose or galactose labelled with 13C at least at one position. According to the present invention, there is provided a reagent for evaluating a hepatic operation, which imposes less physical burden on a subject, can give accurate test results immediately and can be used safely without side effects. The reagent of the invention is useful for measuring the accurate liver excision ratio, liver regeneration/increase ratio or liver weight of a subject after a hepatic operation. With the reagent of the invention, information which is useful for evaluating a hepatic operation and the degree of invasion by the operation and for diagnosis is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Kohno, Isaburo Hosoi, Junko Ohshima, Asuka Ito, Kunihiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 6167746
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of alcohol present in a gaseous mixture wherein an electronic device employing a fuel cell determines the concentration of alcohol present in the gaseous mixture is disclosed. In particular, the device may be used to determine a person's sobriety by determining the alcohol concentration in a breath sample. To determine the alcohol concentration, the device must be able to accurately determine the volume of breath in the breath sample. The device controls the volume of the breath sample by measuring the pressure of the breath flow through the device and, in response to the pressure, electronically controlling a valve diverting a portion of the breath flow into the fuel cell. One application of the invention is a sobriety interlock for a machine where the machine remains disabled unless the operator is first determined to have an alcohol concentration below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Smart Start Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Scott Gammenthaler
  • Patent number: 6150177
    Abstract: A device comprising a combination of a mouthpiece (2) with a holder (1), which receives the mouthpiece (2) and has a sampling channel (4) leading to a breath alcohol-measuring device and a temperature sensor (11) arranged in the connection area between the holder (1) and the mouthpiece (2). To make it possible to determine the temperature of the mouthpiece (2) inserted into the holder (1) the mouthpiece (2) is designed for the temperature sensor (11) to be arranged in the sampling channel (4) as a wall section (10) covering the inner wall of the sampling channel (4) in the area of the temperature sensor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Drager Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 6110122
    Abstract: Provided herein is a novel breath test for assessing hepatic function. The test involves administration of a labeled methionine or methionine metabolite to a subject and measurement of the expired label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Metabolic Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Wagner, Graham M. Woolf
  • Patent number: 6096558
    Abstract: A process for calibrating a breath alcohol-measuring instrument (7) with a calibrating gas generator (1) with a liquid container (2) for aqueous ethanol solution and air feed device, which allow air to bubble through the ethanol solution and for passing gas from the atmosphere above the ethanol solution to the breath alcohol-measuring instrument (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Drager Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 6083756
    Abstract: A method for identification of an infant being particularly susceptible to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) comprises the determination of an Helicobacter pylori infection in the infant's mother, particularly by detection of antibodies to H. pylori of the IgG type, in a blood sample drawn from the infant's mother or by determination of carbon dioxide formed from urea in the air exhaled from the infant's mother upon oral administration of a challenge dose of urea. Also disclosed is the use of an antibiotic effective against H. pylori for the manufacture of a medicament for administration to mothers and other persons infected by H. pylori and coming into close bodily contact with infants below two years of age, and a method of prevention of SIDS by administration of that antibiotic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Diabact AB
    Inventors: Jan Hedner, Anders Pettersson
  • Patent number: 6026674
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of alcohol present in a gaseous mixture wherein an electronic device employing a fuel cell determines the concentration of alcohol present in the gaseous mixture is disclosed. In particular, the device may be used to determine a person's sobriety by determining the alcohol concentration in a breath sample. To determine the alcohol concentration, the device must be able to accurately determine the volume of breath in the breath sample. The device controls the volume of the breath sample by measuring the pressure of the breath flow through the device and, in response to the pressure, electronically controlling a valve diverting a portion of the breath flow into the fuel cell thereby indicating and ensuring that a predefined requisite amount of breath flow has passed thru the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Smart Start Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Scott Gammenthaler
  • Patent number: 5962335
    Abstract: A breath test for determining the rate of metabolism of a drug is described. First, a safe and effective amount of the drug, preferably appropriately labelled and most preferably isotopically-labelled, is administered to a subject. After a suitable time period, the exhaled breath of the subject is analyzed to determine the concentration of a metabolite. The concentration of the metabolite is then used to determine the rate of metabolism of the drug. A breath test kit is also described. Such a breath test kit would include an item or items necessary for performing at least one of the methods of determining the rate of metabolism of a drug in a subject. For example, such a breath test kit could include an isotopically-labelled drug to be administered to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Oridion Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Katzman
  • Patent number: 5961470
    Abstract: Provided herein is a novel breath test for assessing hepatic function. The test involves administration of a labeled methionine or methionine metabolite to a subject and measurement of the expired label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: David A. Wagner, Graham M. Woolf
  • Patent number: 5929319
    Abstract: This invention consists of breath testing apparatus 10 comprising a breath tube 11, a fuel cell housing 12 incorporating a pump system 12a, a fuel cell 13, a control and computational unit 14, and a display 15. A thermistor 22 is provided to detect the temperature of the housing 12 during measurement and the unit 14 compensates the fuel cell output in accordance with the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lion Laboratories Plc
    Inventors: Paul King, Jason Aspinall
  • Patent number: 5854000
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs over non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke. Methods are also disclosed for the evaluation of the tobacco products to determine their storage status and organoleptic capacity and potential, as well as for the treatment of the ambient to lower AGE levels. For example, air or other samples may be taken and evaluated by a dosimeter or like device, to determine whether AGE levels exceed normal, after which measures could be implemented to remediate the ambient condition. All such methods and corresponding materials are contemplated and included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignees: Alteon Inc., The Picower Institute For Medical Research
    Inventors: Richard J. Bucala, Helen Vlassara, Anthony Cerami, Henry W. Founds
  • Patent number: 5783449
    Abstract: The method for quantifying Alcohol Breakdown Activity (ABA) in humans in vivo is developed to determine an efficiency of alcohol catabolism for any given individual. Unlike other related methods, Index-K uses a biological regularity of ABA and employs a third dimension for integrating the multiple pharmacokinetical data into a single value. As expected, it allows for the discrimination between human differences, including gender and personal levels of alcohol dependency. Its use of pharmacokinetical data from ethanol catabolism makes it absolutely specific to alcohol--a major cause of alcohol disorder. This feature allows us to help diagnose alcoholism even in cases where traditional methods used to evaluate harmful alcohol consumption have failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Oleg Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 5770793
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a measuring method for determining the concentration of a gas in a measurement sample with the aid of a combined measuring apparatus. The measuring apparatus includes a first infrared optical gas analyzer 1 as well as a second gas analyzer 2, which contains an electrochemical measuring cell 13. The measuring result of the electrochemical measuring cell 13 functions to correct the concentration, which is determined by the infrared optical gas analyzer 1, when the infrared optical reference measurement has already been performed on a measurement sample with this measuring sample not being free of the substance to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 5721142
    Abstract: A method for monitoring mammalian reproductive cycles by monitoring variations in the quantity of one or more low molecular weight volatile compound having a molecular weight of less than 50 grams per mole present in a body constituent sample is disclosed. Samples of a body constituent selected from the group of humoral fluid, breath and body cavity air are collected from a female mammal a multiple number of times during the reproductive cycle. The quantity of a low molecular weight volatile compound in each sample is measured. In the preferred embodiment, the low molecular weight volatile compound, acetaldehyde, will be measured and monitored. Variations in the quantity of the low molecular weight volatile compound appearing in each sample is monitored to determine the phase of the mammal's reproductive cycle and to predict the occurrence of ovulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Texas A & M University System
    Inventors: William Robert Klemm, Germain Francois Rivard
  • Patent number: 5552324
    Abstract: A reagent, an apparatus and a method for semi-quantitatively estimating the concentration of readily oxidizable organic vapors in a gas sample, as for example ethanol in a human breath sample, is disclosed. The ethanol-sensitive solid indicator is a solid support which contains a permanganate salt and is wetted by a strongly acidic or alkaline solution. In the presence of ethanol the indicator produces a clearly visible color change. The apparatus contains the indicator and provides a pathway for a gas sample through the indicator. The method allows estimation of the organic-vapor content of a gas sample by comparing the volume of indicator which changes color in response to the gas sample with the volume which changes color in response to a known-concentration standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Supelco, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis P. Liu
  • Patent number: 5517985
    Abstract: An apparatus (14) for detecting carbon dioxide in exhaled gas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an indicating element (10) for changing color when exposed to carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide shield (12) for absorbing a predetermined level of carbon dioxide from the exhaled gas before exposing the indicating element (10) to the exhaled gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventors: Gilbert M. Kirk, James D. Bickley
  • Patent number: 5495744
    Abstract: A first sample measuring passage provided between a collection port and a suction pump has a sample gas measurer for measuring expiration components, while a second sample measuring passage which is provided in parallel with the first sample measuring passage has a standard gas measurer for measuring O.sub.2 gas. Assuming that [A] represents a measured value of a target component in an expiration sample and [b.sub.1 ] represents O.sub.2 concentration in the expiration sample, correction is made on the basis of:[M]=f.sub.1 .multidot.(21-[a.sub.1 ]) [A]/(21-[b.sub.1 ])where [M] represents the corrected measured value of the target component, [a.sub.1 ] represents O.sub.2 concentration in end-tidal air which is supplied as a constant such as 15.3, for example, and f.sub.1 represents an experimentally prescribed coefficient such as 1.67, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kyoto Dai-Ichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ueda, Mitsuo Hiromoto, Meng Gang, Yutaka Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5496740
    Abstract: Testing apparatus is provided in the form of a pen and has a body 11 and cap 12. The body 11 has an inlet 13 at its tip which communicates with a fuel cell chamber 14, containing a fuel cell 15, and, via that chamber, with a passage 16 and a cylinder 17. A piston 18 is mounted in the cylinder 17 for operation by a button 19, a spring 21 and latch 22 such that it can draw air through the inlet 13 to the fuel cell 15. If the inlet 13 is placed in a user's mouth the apparatus can provide an indication of his breath alcohol concentration, for example, on display 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Lion Laboratories PLC
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5472668
    Abstract: The monitor which provides a detectable indication of the presence of an elevated proportion of carbon dioxide compared to that in normal ambient air, comprises a substrate coated by an intimate mixture of a transparent plasticised polymer vehicle, and an indicator material which undergoes a colour change on exposure to carbon dioxide. The indicator material comprises a salt of an indicator anion and a lipophilic organic quaternary cation. The device can be used to provide an indication of correct intubation of the trachea of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Abbey Biosystems Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Mills, Neil McMurray
  • Patent number: 5458853
    Abstract: A dual breath analysis device having a passive first mode of testing and analysing an exhaled breath sample without the use of a mouthpiece, and a second mode of testing and analysing a second breath sample through a mouthpiece apparatus when the first mode of testing indicates a substantially high level of alcohol in the first breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Lion Analytics Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Porter, Robert Breakspere
  • Patent number: 5443794
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the concentration of a volatile component in a gas and in particular, but not exclusively, to breath alcohol testing apparatus.In such apparatus 10, a pressure transducer 15 is provided to detect the ambient pressure during test. This pressure is used to modify the output of a fuel cell 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Lion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5400637
    Abstract: A system and method for checking the calibration of a breath alcohol measuring instrument by the use of alcohol standards all containing substantially identical concentrations of alcohol and the use of a calculator which generates an expected measured value for the standard based on the known alcohol concentration and current atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Intoximeters, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Forrester
  • Patent number: RE38575
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic agent for diabetes, which comprises glucose labelled with 13C at a specific position, or pyruvic acid labelled with 13C at least one specific position. According to the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic agent for diabetes which can be used safely without side effects to give accurate results immediately with less physical pains on the subject. The present diagnostic agent for diabetes can distinguish between healthy persons and patients with diabetes even under the circumstances where the patients are easily missed, and further it can determine the type of diabetes (insulin-dependent type or insulin-independent type).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kohno, Isaburo Hosoi, Junko Hirayama, Kunihiko Shibata