Abstract: A nasal/oral cannula for the collection of exhaled gases from the nostrils of a patient, made up of two nasal prongs for insertion into the patient's nostrils and a collection tube for the collection of the exhaled gases, the nasal prongs and the collection tube being connected at a single junction, such that the exhaled gases flow freely from the nasal prongs to the collection tube. An oral prong can also be provided, whose end is placed near the oral cavity of the patient, the oral prong too being connected at the single junction of the nasal prongs and the collection tube.

Abstract: A breath test analyzer, which analyzes exhaled breaths of a patient for isotope labeled products generated in the patient's body after ingestion by the patient of an isotope labeled substance, where the presence of these isotope labeled products provide an indication of a medical condition in the patient. The analyzer uses a very sensitive infra-red spectrophotometer, which enables it to continuously collect and analyze multiple samples of the patient's breath, and process the outputs in real time, while the patient is still connected to the analyzer, such that a definitive result is obtained within a short time, such as the order of a few minutes. The breath test analyzer is sufficiently small that it can be easily accomodated in the office of a physician. The breath test analyzer can be utilized for a number of diagnostic breath tests, according to the isotope labeled substance ingested by the patient and the gases detected in the patient's breath.

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.

Abstract: A breath test for diagnosing the presence of Helicobacter pylori in a subject is described. The method of diagnosing Helicobacter pylori is performed as follows. First, a safe and effective amount of urea, preferably appropriately labelled, is administered to the subject. Second, a plurality of the exhaled breaths of the subject is analyzed to detect the concentration of a cleavage product or products, produced when urease cleaves the substrate. The measured concentrations are then fitted to a curve, and the derivative is then calculated, to indicate the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the subject.

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.

Abstract: A breath test for diagnosing the presence of Chlamydia species, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, in a subject is described. The method of diagnosing Chlamydia species in a subject is performed as follows. First, a safe and effective amount of a substrate, preferably appropriately labelled, is administered to the subject. Second, the exhaled breath of the subject is analyzed to detect the concentration of a cleavage product or products, produced when an enzyme from Chlamydia bacteria cleaves the substrate. The presence of the cleavage product or products indicates a positive diagnosis of Chlamydia species in the subject. 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 diagnosing Chlamydia species in a subject. For example, such a breath test kit could include a substrate to be administered to the subject.

Abstract: A multiple channel sample port for an airway adaptor, which includes a substantially spherical projection with a plurality of inlet tubes and an outlet, which is designed to be placed substantially within the main channel of the airway adaptor through an opening in the side wall of main channel of the airway adaptor. The outlet is connected to, or integrally formed with, one end of a substantially cylindrical chamber. The opposite end of the substantially cylindrical chamber is adapted to be connected to a gas analyzer. When a pressure reduced below atmospheric pressure is applied at the gas analyzer, gas flows from the main channel of the airway adaptor into the inlets of the substantially spherical projection, through the spherical projection into the substantially cylindrical projection, and from thence to the gas analyzer.