Abstract: Disclosed is a method for collecting different selected exhaled breath samples, or fractions thereof, on a single sample capture device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting a first exhaled breath sample by contacting the sample with a capture device comprising an adsorbent material; (b) collecting a second exhaled breath sample by contacting the second sample with said capture device, wherein the first and second exhaled breath samples are caused to be captured on the capture device in a spatially separated manner.

Abstract: An ion mobility filter is disclosed. The present invention relates to but not exclusively a field asymmetric ion spectrometry filter. For example, we describe an ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter is comprised of a plurality of electrodes, a first ion channel, and a second ion channel. The first ion channel filters ions from a target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a first pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a first ion channel gap width. The second ion channel filters ions from the target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a second pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a second ion channel gap width. The first ion channel gap width is greater than the second ion channel gap width.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a housing having an inlet aperture through which fluid enters the housing and a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing. The sensor system comprises a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing. The sensor system comprises circulation means which is configured to alternate circulation of fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned. A method for analysing fluid in a housing using a sensor is also provided.

Abstract: We describe a method and apparatus for detecting humidity using a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) system. The system may comprise an ionizer for generating ions within a gas sample, wherein each ion has an associated ion mobility; an ion filter for separating the ions by applying a compensation field and a dispersion field to the generated ions; a detector for detecting an output from the ion filter; and a processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for predicting the response of a subject suffering from asthma or a respiratory disorder to a therapy comprising a Th2 pathway modulator and a device for use in such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a breath test for assessing a metabolic phenotypeand/or assessing a disease state.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensor systems and methods for analysing fluid samples. The sensor system comprises a housing (220) having an inlet for a fluid sample to enter the housing, an outlet for the fluid sample to exit the housing, and a fluid sample path within the housing for the fluid sample to flow between the inlet and the outlet. The sensor system also comprises an ionizer (210) which is external to the housing and which is for ionizing the fluid sample at a first location on the fluid sample path to generate sample ions, an ion mobility filter (212) which is at least partially located within the housing and which is for filtering the generated sample ions at a second location on the fluid sample path, and a detector (214) which is external to the housing and which is for detecting the sample ions which pass through the ion mobility filter at a third location on the fluid sample path.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for collecting a breath sample from a human subject, the apparatus comprising at least a mask portion which, in use, is positioned over the subject's mouth and nostrils so as to collect breath exhaled from the subject, the apparatus further comprising movement detection means for detecting movement of the mask portion, and an alarm signal generator, which alarm signal generator generates an alarm signal if the subject's head is outside a predetermined range of acceptable orientations during collection of a breath sample, but only after the subject's head has been outside the predetermined range of acceptable orientations for a defined or measurable period of time.

Abstract: An ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter has a first ion channel for filtering ions from a target chemical in the gas sample. The ion filter has a second ion channel for filtering ions from the target chemical in the gas sample. The second ion channel is separated from the first ion channel. A temperature control region is in thermal contact with the first and second ion channels for controlling a difference in temperature between the first and second ion channels. A method of filtering ions from a target chemical in a gas sample is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the early detection and monitoring of the progression of cancer by detecting breath biomarkers is provided. The method comprises assessing the activity of an aldo-keto reductase by measuring the concentration of an exogenous substrate for said enzyme and/or measuring the concentration of a metabolite of said substrate in exhaled breath of a subject. Preferably, the cancer is lung cancer.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for collecting different selected exhaled breath samples, or fractions thereof, on a single sample capture device, the method comprising the steps of: (a)collecting a first exhaled breath sample by contacting the sample with a capture device comprising an adsorbent material; (b)collecting a second exhaled breath sample by contacting the second sample with said capture device, wherein the first and second exhaled breath samples are caused to be captured on the capture device in a spatially separated manner.

Abstract: There is provided a device for collecting a breath portion from a patient for analysis, comprising a housing structure including an inlet port associated with a mask structure for receiving a portion of the patient's breath, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the inlet port for detecting one or more parameters regarding the patient's breath, at least one collection container for collecting a portion of the patient's breath received in the inlet port, at least one pump for pumping a selective portion of the patient's breath from the inlet port to the at least one collection container and a control system for controlling operation of the at least one sensor and at least one pump. The control system selectively operates the pump based on sensed parameters such as CO2 and/or pressure to collect breath samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for selectively capturing one or more portions of a patient's breath, comprising: detect one or more parameters regarding the patient's breath during a breathing routine; determine one or more data points from the detected one or more parameters wherein the one or more data points identifies one or more portions of the patient's breath to capture; and capture one or more portions of the patient's breath during the breathing routine.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a housing having an inlet aperture through which fluid enters the housing and a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing. The sensor system comprises a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing. The sensor system comprises circulation means which is configured to alternate circulation of fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned. A method for analysing fluid in a housing using a sensor is also provided.

Abstract: We describe a method and apparatus for detecting humidity using a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) system. The system may comprise an ionizer for generating ions within a gas sample, wherein each ion has an associated ion mobility; an ion filter for separating the ions by applying a compensation field and a dispersion field to the generated ions; a detector for detecting an output from the ion filter; and a processor.

Abstract: Mobile device (110) is disclosed. The present techniques relate to a mobile device or portable electronic device, particularly a device including a breath sampling device. The mobile electronic device (110) comprises a collection device (112) for collecting and storing a gas sample. The collection device (112) is accessible to enable analysis of the gas stored in the collection device (112). The collection device (112) comprises a mouthpiece (118) into which a user exhales. The collection device (112) further comprises a plurality of sorbent tubes (114) to collect and store the breath sample(s). Each tube (114) has a one-way valve (116) to prevent captured breath escaping.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.

Abstract: An ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter has a first ion channel for filtering ions from a target chemical in the gas sample. The ion filter has a second ion channel for filtering ions from the target chemical in the gas sample. The second ion channel is separated from the first ion channel. A temperature control region is in thermal contact with the first and second ion channels for controlling a difference in temperature between the first and second ion channels. A method of filtering ions from a target chemical in a gas sample is also provided.

Abstract: An ion mobility filter is disclosed. The present invention relates to but not exclusively a field asymmetric ion spectrometry filter. For example, we describe an ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter is comprised of a plurality of electrodes, a first ion channel, and a second ion channel. The first ion channel filters ions from a target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a first pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a first ion channel gap width. The second ion channel filters ions from the target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a second pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a second ion channel gap width. The first ion channel gap width is greater than the second ion channel gap width.