Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring an analyte, such as acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that uses profiles of users, including monitored ketone levels of the users, to assess effectiveness levels of health programs (such as weight loss programs) assigned to the users, and to select health program modifications for the users. The system may use a machine learning (artificial intelligence) algorithm to adaptively learn how to classify users and to select messaging and behavioral modifications for the users. For example, in some embodiments the system classifies the users and provides associated health program recommendations using a computer model trained with expert-classified user data records. As another example, a set of rules may be used to generate the health program recommendations and related messaging, and the set of rules may automatically be modified over time based on feedback data reflective of health program effectiveness levels produced by such rules.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring a ketone, such as an acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding ketone measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the ketone measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements. One such feature compares ketone measurements taken while the user is on a health program to a baseline level determined from pre-program-initiation ketone measurements.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that monitors participants in health-related programs, such as weight loss or exercise programs, and that provides automated, personalized health coaching to the program participants. The system includes breath analysis devices that are used by the program participants to generate ketone measurements, and includes a mobile application that runs on mobile devices of the participants and communicates with corresponding breath analysis devices. The system operates generally by monitoring ketone levels (such as acetone levels) and other attributes of the participants and by making personalized, machine-generated changes or updates to such programs to maintain program effectiveness and engagement. In some embodiments the system uses artificial intelligence to classify and coach the participants.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that uses profiles of users, including monitored ketone levels of the users, to assess effectiveness levels of health programs (such as weight loss programs) assigned to the users, and to select health program modifications for the users. The system may use a machine learning (artificial intelligence) algorithm to adaptively learn how to classify users and to select messaging and behavioral modifications for the users. For example, in some embodiments the system classifies the users and provides associated health program recommendations using a computer model trained with expert-classified user data records. As another example, a set of rules may be used to generate the health program recommendations and related messaging, and the set of rules may automatically be modified over time based on feedback data reflective of health program effectiveness levels produced by such rules.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that monitors participants in health-related programs, such as weight loss or exercise programs, and that provides automated, personalized health coaching to the program participants. The system includes breath analysis devices that are used by the program participants to generate ketone measurements, and includes a mobile application that runs on mobile devices of the participants and communicates with corresponding breath analysis devices. The system operates generally by monitoring ketone levels (such as acetone levels) and other attributes of the participants and by making personalized, machine-generated changes or updates to such programs to maintain program effectiveness and engagement. In some embodiments the system uses primary and secondary process flows to collect from the participants information that is used to select or recommend health program modifications.

Abstract: Various devices are disclosed for measuring the concentration of an analyte, such as acetone, in a breath sample. The disclosed devices include a disposable cartridge containing a reactive material that extracts the analyte from a breath sample passed through the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge contains a solid, porous structure (such as a disk, bowl or puck) that contains the reactive material. The porous structure may be created by mixing reactive particles with resin particles, and then using a sintering process to transform the mixture into a solid structure. Also disclosed are devices for routing a breath sample through the cartridge during exhalation, and for analyzing a reaction in the cartridge to measure a concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a portable measurement device for measuring acetone in a breath sample of a user. The measurement device comprises a housing, a user-direct breath input device for engaging in direct fluid communication with a respiratory tract of the user and receiving the breath sample from the respiratory tract, a flow path disposed within the housing, a nanoparticle-based sensor disposed in the housing in fluid communication with the flow path and at an intermediate location between the upstream end and the downstream end, and a flow control device disposed in the housing and in the flow path between the upstream end and the nanoparticle-based sensor that prevents flow of the breath sample in an upstream direction opposite the downstream direction.

Abstract: A ketone measurement and analysis system provides various features for enabling health program participants to interpret their ketone measurements, such as breath acetone measurements. One such feature breaks down ketone measurements into causal components. For example, the system may generate and display an estimate of how much of a participant's ketone measurement is attributable to stored fat metabolism versus consumption of a “confounding substance” such as dietary fat and/or exogenous ketones. The system may also estimate the contributions of specific confounding substances, and/or the contributions of other factors or events (such as exercise, interrupted sleep, a missed medication, etc.) that affect ketone levels. Another feature involves the generation and display of target ketone levels that are personalized for the participants. The system may generate the measurement breakdowns and target ketone levels by applying data mining algorithms to aggregated data of many program participants.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a portable measurement device for measuring acetone in a breath sample of a user. The measurement device comprises a housing, a user-direct breath input device for engaging in direct fluid communication with a respiratory tract of the user and receiving the breath sample from the respiratory tract, a flow path disposed within the housing, a nanoparticle-based sensor disposed in the housing in fluid communication with the flow path and at an intermediate location between the upstream end and the downstream end, and a flow control device disposed in the housing and in the flow path between the upstream end and the nanoparticle-based sensor that prevents flow of the breath sample in an upstream direction opposite the downstream direction.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for analyzing acetone in breath. One such method comprises disposing a reactant in a reaction zone within the breath analysis device, wherein the reactant comprises a primary amine disposed on a surface, and wherein the reaction zone has an optical characteristic that is at a reference level. It also comprises pre-storing a liquid nitroprusside solution within the breath analysis device separately from the reactant. The method further comprises using the breath analysis device to cause the breath to contact the reactant in the reaction zone so that the acetone in the breath reacts with the reactant to form a reaction product and, after the reaction product has been formed, using the breath analysis device to cause the nitroprusside solution to contact and react with the reaction product and to facilitate a change in the optical characteristic of the reaction zone relative to the reference level.

Abstract: Various devices are disclosed for measuring the concentration of an analyte, such as acetone, in a breath sample. The disclosed devices include a disposable cartridge containing a reactive material that extracts the analyte from a breath sample passed through the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge contains a solid, porous structure (such as a disk, bowl or puck) that contains the reactive material. To induce a chemical reaction for measuring the quantity of the extracted analyte, the porous structure may be brought into contact with a sponge or pad that dispenses developer solution to the porous structure. Also disclosed are devices for routing a breath sample through the cartridge during exhalation, and for analyzing a reaction in the cartridge to measure a concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for sensing an analyte, such as acetone, in breath. The apparatus includes a sorbent material that extracts the analyte from a dehumidified breath sample, and a nanoparticle-based sensor. The apparatus produces first and second gas streams that flow over the nanoparticle-based sensor. The first gas stream is used to generate a baseline signal, and the second gas stream is used to carry the extracted analyte from the sorbent material to the nanoparticle-based sensor. Various additional designs of analyte sensing devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various systems and devices are disclosed for measuring an analyte, such as acetone, in a breath sample of a human subject. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes a displosable cartridge having a reaction chamber containing an interactant, such as interactant particles. The interactant reacts with an analyte in a breath sample that is passed along a flow path through the reaction chamber. An optical subsystem measures a color change resulting from a reaction in the reaction chamber; this color change is indicative of a concentration of the analyte in the breath sample. In some embodiments, the optical subsystem illuminates the cartridge using multiple LEDs of different colors or wavelengths.

Abstract: A ketone measurement and analysis system provides various features for enabling health program participants to interpret their ketone measurements, such as breath acetone measurements. One such feature breaks down ketone measurements into causal components. For example, the system may generate and display an estimate of how much of a participant's ketone measurement is attributable to stored fat metabolism versus consumption of a “confounding substance” such as dietary fat and/or exogenous ketones. The system may also estimate the contributions of specific confounding substances, and/or the contributions of other factors or events (such as exercise, interrupted sleep, a missed medication, etc.) that affect ketone levels. Another feature involves the generation and display of target ketone levels that are personalized for the participants. The system may generate the measurement breakdowns and target ketone levels by applying data mining algorithms to aggregated data of many program participants.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for sensing an analyte, such as acetone, in breath. The apparatus includes a sorbent material that extracts the analyte from a dehumidified breath sample, and a nanoparticle-based sensor. The apparatus produces first and second gas streams that flow over the nanoparticle-based sensor. The first gas stream is used to generate a baseline signal, and the second gas stream is used to carry the extracted analyte from the sorbent material to the nanoparticle-based sensor. Various additional designs of analyte sensing devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable breath analysis device is disclosed that may be worn, for example, around the neck or wrist of a user. The wearable device may be a stand-along device (in which case it may include a display that provides a user interface), or may operate in conjunction with a smartphone or other command device. The wearable device may include auditory and/or vibratory notice and communications features or capabilities, for example, such as a reminder or notice to conduct a breath analyte measurement, instructions to the user in the course of conducting the measurement, and notice of the breath analyte measurement results. The auditory or vibratory notice may be provided at the wearable, and/or at the command device where a command device is used. Related methods also are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing analyte-specific affinity agents having affinity for an analyte. The method includes providing a library of candidate affinity agents, providing a surface suitable for adhesion of the library of candidate affinity agents, and exposing the library of candidate affinity agents to the surface to thereby adhere the library of candidate affinity agents to the surface. It also includes providing an analyte, and causing the analyte to contact the surface to thereby expose the library of candidate affinity agents adhered to the surface to the analyte, to cause selected ones of the candidate affinity agents to react with the analyte to form reaction products, and to create an output fluid that comprises the reaction products. In addition, the method includes analyzing the output fluid to characterize the analyte-specific affinity agents associated with the respective reaction products.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring a ketone, such as an acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding ketone measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the ketone measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements.

Abstract: A breath analysis device into which a user exhales a breath sample is capable of venting an initial portion of the breath sample from the device, and routing a second portion of the breath sample into a disposable cartridge containing an interactant. The device may include a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, for detecting the initiation of exhalation, and may include a controller that switches a valve during the exhalation process to route a desired portion of the breath sample into the cartridge. After the exhalation process, an LED/photodiode arrangement, or another type of optical sensor, may be used to measure a color change produced by a chemical reaction in the cartridge, to thereby measure a concentration of a ketone or other analyte in the breath sample.