Abstract: An alcohol selective gas sensor including a detecting electrode and a semiconductor detecting element in contact with the detecting electrode, the semiconductor detecting element comprising tin oxide (SnO.sub.2) and a metal oxide of at least one of alkaline earth metals (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) carried by the tin oxide, the metal oxide being contained in an amount of about 0.5 mol % or above.

Abstract: A pocket instrument for sampling breath air in situ, includes a microprocessor-controlled directional control valve with needles at an outlet to which needle the sample vessels are attached. The directional control valve is arranged to be connected through another outlet to the atmosphere and to a collecting chamber respectively, which collecting chamber is provided with a feeding device for accommodating and delivering the breath air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system both apparatus and method, for analyzing a breath sample (22). A transducer (24) senses the pressure, temperature and humidity of the breath sample and in response generates a breath signature signal (26). A sensor (28) detects the alcohol content of the breath sample and in response generates an alcohol signal (30). Also included is a breath reference (32), and an alcohol reference (34) which includes an alcohol threshold level (36). A first comparator (38) compares the breath signature signal with the breath reference, and in response generates either a valid signal (40) if the signals substantially match or an invalid signal (44) if the signals do not substantially match. A second comparator compares the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference, and in response generates either a passing signal or a failing signal depending on whether or not the threshold level is exceeded.

Abstract: Alcohol pieces representing alcohol consumed are placed on one side of a balance board supported by as support structure. A time piece (or pieces) representing the alcohol oxidized by the body in a period of time is placed on the other side of the balance board and the tilt of the board tells the drinker what his or her blood alcohol level is.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring breath alcohol content by oxidizing breath alcohol in a fuel cell and utilizing substantially all of the electrons produced by said oxidation as a measure of the amount of alcohol contained in the sample. A working embodiment of the invention includes a resistor across terminals of the fuel cell with a resistance that is high enough to permit the voltage from the fuel cell to be accurately measured but low enough to permit the voltage to fall to a substantially steady minimum voltage within a time on the order of two minutes or less. The method of measuring breath alcohol concentration comprises integrating the entire area under the curve generated by the fuel cell output voltage between the beginning of oxidation of the alcohol in the fuel cell and the reaching of the substantially steady minimum.

Abstract: A breath alcohol detector measures and compensates for distance between the mouth of the individual exhaling breath into the ambient air and the detector, the atmospheric pressure, and the temperature. Blood alcohol content information is calculated using these compensation factors and a signal obtained from an electrochemical fuel cell which is indicative of the amount of alcohol or other gas contained in the sample. The detector also includes a reciprocally acting electromagnetically energized motor which drives a diaphragm pump to draw the sample into the electrochemical fuel cell.

Abstract: In a portable breath alcohol detector using a standard tubular mouthpiece, a breath direction and continuity sensor takes the form of a whistle mounted at a predetermined distance from the discharge end of the mouthpiece to leave a gap, open to the ambient atmosphere, between the discharge end and the whistle, the whistle being of sufficient sensitivity to be activated by a breath blown toward the whistle across the gap and the gap being of a size not appreciably to restrict the flow of breath, and permit air being inhaled to pass freely, whereby if the subject stops breathing, or inhales, the whistle stops sounding, and whereby residual alcohol in the whistle will not be drawn back into the mouthpiece when the subject inhales.

Abstract: A sobriety interlock system prevents a vehicle or other equipment from being started unless the identity of a designated operator is confirmed by the system and the operator passes a breath sobriety test. The designated operator is trained to perform a physical act, the successful completion of which can be determined by the system and which requires at least a predetermined number, N, of attempts to learn. A necessary precondition for starting the vehicle is satisfied when the system determines that the identity-confirming act has been performed in fewer than N attempts.

Abstract: A device for measuring the alcohol content of a gas includes an improved mechanism for determining the presence of alveolar air in the gas which is exhaled into the device by a test subject. The device has a conduit (11) into which the test subject exhales. Gas from the conduit passes through a nozzle (19) and into an intake opening (18) of a pumping device (14). Upon actuation, the pumping device extracts a first predetermined volume of exhaled air from the conduit, so that an electro-chemical cell (25) can detect the quantity of alcohol in the first predetermined volume of air. To actuate the pumping device, a predetermined value correspondig to a second volume of air must be detected by an evaluation device (28) responsive to a pressure sensitive device (27) for measuring the pressure of the gas in the conduit. In addition, the pumping device will not be actuated until a threshold circuit (35) detects a minimum pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring metabolites contained in human expired air and for measuring metabolites contained in human urine and for extracting a correlation between the metabolite data in the expired air and the metabolite data in the urine is suitable for parallel analysis of the metabolites in human urine and expired air. An atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer is suitable for measuring metabolites in the expired air. By storing reference data showing the relation between the metabolites in the expired air and those in the urine and, by comparing such data with a subject's metabolite data in the expired air and the metabolite data in the urine, abnormality of a subject can be detected.

Abstract: A breath alcohol testing instrument comprises a breathing tube (10) connected to an instrument (15) for detecting alcohol, including a sampling system comprising a spring-loaded piston (30) arranged to draw a gas sample into a sampling chamber (21) in contact with an electrochemical fuel cell (20). A pressure sensor (52) detects a predetermined breath flow rate and starts a timer (53) which after a predetermined interval actuates a solenoid (40) to release the sampler. If the suspect interrupts normal breath flow the system does not "abort". The solenoid (40) is still actuated automatically either immediately when the pressure sensor (52) indicates a predetermined drop in pressure or after the preselected time interval. Simultaneously a "test fail" signal is generated (55) and applied to a warning signal generator (56) which actuates a visible or audible warning sign to indicate a non-standard test result.

Abstract: A connector and sampling line for obtaining sample gases from a patient's exhaled gas stream present in an air tube coupled to the patient is disclosed. The sampling line comprises a sampling end portion having an open end and at least one hole in a wall of the end portion. A tubular shaped connector through which the gas stream passes along a first path includes a hollow cylinder coupled to the wall of the connector and protruding therefrom. The hollow interior of the connector communicates with ambient atmosphere through a distal open end and to the interior of the tubular portion of the connector through a hole in the connector wall. The sampling line includes a reinforced portion adjacent the sampling end portion for reinforcement. The hollow cylinder has an interior diameter large enough to receive the reinforced portion and substantially larger than the hole in the connector wall which hole is large enough to receive the sampling end portion.

Abstract: A isothermal rebreathing apparatus and method for collecting human breath samples for chemical analysis of the ethyl alcohol content wherein the breath samples are obtained from a subject repetitively exhaling into the inhaling from an enclosed, flexible, variable volume, bag-like collection receptacle which is heated to maintain the breath sample enclosed therein at a prescribed temperature, preferably at or near the subject's body temperature, before extracting the breath sample for subsequent chemical analysis. The collection receptacle may be enclosed by an airtight chamber including heaters therein to warm the air around the collection receptacle in order to regulate the temperature of the breath sample therein. A bellows section in fluid communication with the heating chamber allows for inflation and deflation of the flexible collection receptacle while located in an airtight environment.

Abstract: Hazardous condition warning indications are transmitted from a site to a remote location on a conventional audio communication link. A variety of hazardous conditions including unconsciousness or inebriation of a workman at the site or his exposure to dangerous materials may be sensed and identifying information indicative of the source or location of the irregularity sensed may be transmitted to the remote location. A convention hand-held transceiver equipped with hazardous material sensors and sensors responsive to indications of potential impaired functioning of the individual are illustrated as an exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: A battery-operated portable breath tester is disclosed. The breath tester includes a housing which defines a sleeve for receiving a wand. The wand defines an internal sample chamber, with a lamp at one end for providing infrared energy and a detector at an opposite end for receiving the infrared energy after it has passed through the sample to be tested. The wand defines opening extending from the internal sample chamber to the outside of the wand. The wand has an external shape providing a snug fit within the sleeve. As the wand is moved within the sleeve, gas is purged from the wand. The wand is connected to the housing by means of an electrical coil. The housing encloses a digital voltmeter including a digital display for providing a test readout. The digital voltmeter includes an oscillator which is coupled through a frequency divider and a transistor switch to the lamp.

Abstract: A system for monitoring patient respiration include a disposable, convenient moisture detection device. The device is minimally intrusive to the laminar flow of gases and has minimal liquid collection volumes. It is characterized by high sensitivity at rapid response rates.

Abstract: A subject rebreathes an inert aerosol from a closed system and, during each of a plurality of breaths, the aerosol concentration in the closed system is determined and compared to determine differences with a predetermined concentration value. Identified differences indicating enhanced aerosol deposition signify airway narrowing and/or an increase in accumulated airway secretions.

Abstract: In a breath alcohol testing device, including a breath-receiving tube, a fuel cell chamber communicating with the tube, a fuel cell within the chamber and a movable wall, for example, a diaphragm, mounted adjacent the fuel cell, to be moved reciprocably between a down position at which the wall is relatively close to the fuel cell and an up position at which the wall is relatively far from the fuel cell, the movement of the wall acting to pump breath to and from the fuel cell, the movable wall defines one wall of the fuel cell chamber, breath in the space between the movable wall and the fuel cell being in substantially unrestricted communication with the fuel cell.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing a patient with apparatus for monitoring gaseous components of the exhalation of said patient. The system includes a low dead space volume disc filter for blocking patient secretions and natural and manufactured humidification, improved sampling configuration, and apparatus for supporting endotracheal and tracheal tubes and the like with minimum discomfort to the patient. Special provision is made for supporting the endotracheal tube for a neonate, including a wire support requiring only minimal taping.

Abstract: A method of measuring breath alcohol includes blowing breath in a stream through an inlet line, hence through an orifice, past a thermistor exposed to the stream, changing the temperature of the thermistor to a predetermined temperature in response to a predetermined volume of breath. The thermistor provides an output signal to trigger the measurement of alcohol in the breath by an alcohol detecting device. The method and apparatus permit the purging of the system to provide a base line reference for the alcohol detection device, then testing to ensure that the breath inlet line is clear of contamination, then running an alcohol standard sample through the alcohol detecting device, again purging the system, again testing to ensure that the breath inlet line is clear of contamination, recording the result as a blank test, and thereafter blowing breath through the inlet line to obtain a demonstratably accurate measurement of breath alcohol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between alcohol and acetone in a breath sample and accurately measuring the alcohol level when acetone is present in the sample. The breath sample is measured with two different types of detectors and their outputs compared. One detector uses the principles of infrared (IR) absorption, the other detector is a semiconductor, commonly called a Taguci cell, or its equivalent. Automatic correction is provided for variations in sensitivity of the semiconductor.

Abstract: A method of determining the alcohol content of air exhaled by a person using a flow through testing tube having an alcohol indicating material therein and a sampling tube to which the air is directed which has a material therein for retaining the alcohol of the breathing air and also using a suction pump comprises cooling the sampling tube, passing the exhaled air through the cooled sampling tube, measuring a volume of the air passing through the cooled sampling tube, heating the sampling tube and connecting the suction pump to the sampling tube to suck flushing air through the heated tube and then through the testing tube. The sampling tube advantageously contains a silica gel to retain the alcohol therein. The volume measuring device may be a measuring bag.

Abstract: A capsule for testing the alcohol content in human breath contains a solid reagent. The capsule is capable of passing a gaseous fluid or liquid in a predetermined quantity for reacting with the reagent. The capsule has a middle part which is almost cylindrical and at least at one end has an orifice for regulating the fluid entering through the orifice and distributing it into the reagent.

Abstract: A method for determining the gas content of a person's breathing air, comprises, first determining when the breathing air is at a condition in which best testing results will be effected. This is done by arranging a capacitor in a breathing tube through which the breathing air is directed. The capacitor is first heated to a predetermined temperature and the breathing air is directed over it so as to cool it until it has attained a predetermined temperature change. This temperature change is such that it will take place when the person's breathing air has its desired constituency. When this occurs, the breathing air is then directed into a test chamber in which it is tested to determine the constituency of the breathing air particularly the percentage of alcohol which it contains.

Abstract: A breath-test mouthpiece of the type used to remove solids, saliva and water vapor from the breath of a subject being tested to determine a breath constituent, typically breath alcohol, including axially-aligned mouth and tube pipes with a hollow central collector having a lip-engaging edge to either side of the mouth pipe and an enlarged cross section multi-path interior baffle forcing the breath to flow along a serpentine-shaped path as it moves from the mouth pipe to the tube pipe.

Abstract: A calibrating device for a breath alcohol measuring instrument which includes a passage for the breathing air which has a sensor and a collector arranged therein with a discharge to atmosphere from the collector comprises a connecting circuit having valve means for selectively connecting the circuit through the passage. The connecting circuit has a member with a chamber therein which has a piston wall member movable in the chamber between two end positions and spring means biasing it toward one end position. A calibrating gas supply and a sensor are selectively connectable to the chamber on one side of the movable piston wall member. Control means are connected to the chamber and the sensor and to the valve means for selectively connecting either the calibrating gas supply or the sensor to the chamber and to the passage for the breathing air in the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method of determining the alcohol content of air exhaled by a person using a flow through testing tube having an alcohol indicating material therein and a sampling tube to which the air is directed which has a material therein for retaining the alcohol of the breathing air and also using a suction pump comprises cooling the sampling tube, passing the exhaled air through the cooled sampling tube, measuring a volume of the air passing through the cooled sampling tube, heating the sampling tube and connecting the suction pump to the sampling tube to suck flushing air through the heated tube and then through the testing tube. The sampling tube advantageously contains a silica gel to retain the alcohol therein. The volume measuring device may be a measuring bag.

Abstract: In a device for measuring redox gases, such as alcohol, in a person's breath, a disposable tubular mouthpiece forms an elongated flow passage and is displaceably securable in a measuring head. The mouthpiece has an opening at one end for blowing air into it and openings along its length for directing the air into the measuring head. A check valve is located in the flow passage so that air exhaled into the opening in the end of the mouthpiece can flow to the measuring head, but inhaling on the mouthpiece places the check valve in a closed position. The mouthpiece can be formed of a single molded piece or two tubular portions secured together. The end of the mouthpiece opposite the open end is closed and is spaced from the openings into the measuring head for forming a moisture chamber for collecting saliva.

Abstract: A trap for collecting liquid in a gas line between the patient and a respiratory gas analyzer which trap senses the collection of a predetermined volume of liquid and operates upon sensing that volume to immediately interrupt the connection between the gas analyzer and the deposit of liquid and also to initiate a flushing cycle such that the liquid is flushed out of the lines to protect the analyzer from contamination.

Abstract: A system for measuring the oxygen uptake and respiratory quotient of a patient which employs a high resistance gas flow path in parallel with a pneumotachograph. The high resistance path is connected to each side of the pneumotachograph and a small chamber is included in the high resistance path at each end thereof adjacent its connection to the pneumotachograph. The volume of the high resistance path, together with its resistance relative to that of the pneumotachograph is chosen such that, during respiration of the patient employing the device, the high resistance path will never be completely flushed through in one direction before flow starts in the opposite direction. The high reistance path is chosen to be a constant resistance such that the amount of flow therethrough is proportional to the flow through the pneumotachograph.

Abstract: Respiratory gas flow data is synchronously provided along with continuous samples of the gases for analysis by a medical mass spectrometer. The gas flow data is determined by use of the differential pressure across a resistive core in a sampling flowmeter and the flow value at any instant is registered by proportionately admitting a non-toxic gas that is foreign to the normal respiratory gases into the sampling inlet in a quantity controlled by the differential pressure. The quantity of foreign gas therefore represents flow and is drawn through the inlet tube in exact synchronism with its corresponding respiratory gas sample for analysis by the spectrometer. The generated signal representing the amount of foreign gas, hence the flow, may then be used with the signals representing concentration of the various gases in the corresponding respiratory gas sample to calculate various medical parameters, such as oxygen uptake, where the exact synchronism of these signals is important.

Abstract: A breath tester includes an electronic detector providing an information signal with an amplitude level which varies as a function of the alcohol content in the breath under test. An anomaly detector circuit stores a signal related to the peak of the information signal, and continually compares this peak value with the instantaneous value of the information signal. When the difference between the peak signal level and the instantaneous signal level exceeds a preset amount, the output display of the breath tester is modified to indicate the analysis process has been disturbed by an anomalous chemical substance.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the alcohol percentage in the breath of a person by blowing the breath into an airtight chamber enclosing a gas detector of the type of which the electric resistance changes upon exposure to alcohol vapor. The breath is introduced into the chamber in such manner that it does not directly strike the gas detector, so that a cooling of the gas detector by the air flow is avoided. Thus, the resistance change of the gas detector is substantially exclusively dependent on the alcohol percentage in the breath, whereby a very accurate measurement is obtained.