Abstract: A portable alveolar gas measurement device and method of determining at least one alveolar gas level are disclosed. The device includes a structure that receives a sample portion of breath, and a gas sensor in communication with the structure that detects a gas level of a gas within the sample portion and provides a first signal indicative of the level. The device further includes circuitry coupled at least indirectly to the gas sensor, where the circuitry receives at least one of the first signal and a second signal related to the first signal, and where the circuitry provides at least some assistance in determining whether a portion of information provided by the at least one signal is used as an indication of an alveolar gas level. Additionally, the device includes an output device coupled to the circuitry that provides an output indicative of the first alveolar gas level.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and method for measuring flow rate from air flow using acoustic resonance. It is shown that the device can be used to measure breath flow rate and biomarker concentration within human breath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid nutritional composition, to a liquid nutritional composition for use in a diagnostic method for screening of a glucose-intolerant condition, to a kit for screening of a glucose-intolerant condition, and to a diagnostic method for screening a mammal for a glucose-intolerant condition. Furthermore, it refers to a liquid nutritional composition for use as a standard reference nutrition, such as for classification of postprandial glucose responses of different nutritional compositions. The liquid nutritional composition comprises protein, fat, digestible carbohydrate and dietary fibre, wherein the digestible carbohydrate comprises at least 90 weight % of glucose units, based on total digestible carbohydrate mass and preferably is substantially free of fructose.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sensor design that exploits the different majority carriers (holes/electrons) in WO3 and Cr2O3 to build sensitivity and selectivity to NO at ppb levels, while discriminating against CO at concentrations a thousand-fold higher (ppm) and spread over a considerable range (0-20 ppm). Practical application of this sensor system for detecting NO in human breath is demonstrated.

Abstract: An improved method of breath sampling, particularly adapted for use in connection with motor vehicle alcohol breath monitoring devices, comprises the sending of a drive signal to a piston pump to draw a breath sample into a sensing chamber, the pump being connected to the sensing chamber. The operational status of the pump is monitored by monitoring the condition of a switch associated with the pump which is adapted to change state when the pump piston is withdrawn into its pump housing as a proper reaction of the pump to its drive signal and return to its original state when the pump piston is no longer withdrawn. The state condition of the of the switch is used to confirm proper pump operation in drawing the breath sample into the chamber; if proper pump operation is confirmed, the breath sample can be accepted for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a housing and a chemical sensor arranged inside the housing which chemical sensor is adapted to measure a property of at least one analyte. The device further comprises an opening in the housing for exposing the chemical sensor to the fluid to be analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: A gas analyzer having a compact and simple structure and having a high performance in separating components of a sample gas is provided. The gas analyzer according to the present invention includes a gas introduction unit including a gas introduction port for introducing a sample gas; a gas separation unit including a microcolumn for separating components of the sample gas supplied from the gas introduction unit; and a gas detection unit detecting a gas component separated by the gas separation unit. The microcolumn is provided with an internal channel having a wall surface modified by a stationary phase. This stationary phase is made of a polar material having a relative permittivity of not less than 10 at 30° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for the determination of various conditions of gastric and gastro-intestinal malfunction, especially those performed by means of breath tests.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a physiologic sampling pump (PSP) which uses at least one valve placed near the sampling medium to modulate air sampling to follow a person's inhalation rate and to obviate the sluggishness inherent in prior art PSPs caused by varying pump speed and by the propagation time through an air tube that connects the collection medium to prior art pumps thereby also obviating limitations inherent in system response, functionality, and accuracy. Moreover, by maintaining an essentially constant air flow through a cyclone at all times and through the collection medium while sampling, the present invention operates at known collection efficiencies, and is therefore capable of size-selective sampling of particulates as opposed to prior art PSPs that by varying the magnitude of air flow, make the separation efficiencies of pre-collection devices indeterminate and the samples worthless.

Abstract: When a pressure of a breath is kept to fall within a valid range, a CPU of a breath alcohol measuring apparatus updates a breath amount accumulation value that is an accumulation value of the amount of the breath blown into a mouth piece; when the breath pressure reaches the range outside the valid range, the CPU resets the breath amount accumulation value; and when the breath amount accumulation value reaches a valid breath amount, the CPU measures the alcohol concentration by an alcohol sensor. A breath pressure display portion is arranged at the position that can visually be recognized by a to-be-measured person who is blowing into the mouth piece.

Abstract: Provided is a nitric oxide detection element which is capable of measuring a trace amount of NO gas contained in a gas in a scale of several ppb and of which the time degradation in performance is suppressed. The nitric oxide detection element includes at a surface thereof: a dye having a porphyrin skeleton and containing divalent cobalt as a central metal; and a radical scavenger. The nitric oxide detection element includes a substrate 12 and a sensing film 11 formed on a surface of the substrate 12. The sensing film 11 may contain the dye and the radical scavenger.

Abstract: Reliable, fast and inexpensive breath gas detector systems for medical diagnostics, including personal, handheld monitoring devices for a variety of diseases and conditions, including, for example, asthma, diabetes, blood cholesterol, and lung cancer. A sensor device (100) for detecting gases includes a sensing element (109) having an electrical resistance that changes in the presence of a target gas; a readout circuit, electrically coupled to the sensing element due to the presence of the target gas and converts the measurement to a digital signal; and a feedback loop (203) from a digital unit (205) to the readout circuit to compensate for variations in a baseline resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: A composite, analyte sensor includes a substrate; a micro- or nano-electro-mechanical (MEMS; NEMS) resonator that is coupled to the substrate at least two edge locations (i.e., it is at least doubly-clamped) of the resonator, wherein the resonator is in a statically-buckled state near a buckling transition point of the resonator; and a chemically-responsive substance covering at least a portion of the surface of the resonator that will undergo a conformational change upon exposure to a given analyte. The resonator may be a double-clamped, statically-buckled beam (or bridge), a multiply-clamped, statically-buckled dome (or crater), or other resonator geometry. The sensor may include two or more at least double-clamped, statically-buckled, composite MEMS or NEMS resonators each operating near a buckling transition point of the respective resonator, and each characterized by a different resonant frequency. A method for sensing an analyte in ambient air.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for distinguishing whether an animal is experiencing a bacterial infection or a viral infection. One monitors breath taken from the animal over time to measure the relative amount of a first breath stable isotope to a second breath stable isotope therein over time. A quick change in the isotope ratios within several hours from the likely infection is indicative of a bacterial infection. A delayed change in the isotope ratios, followed by periodic repeated alterations in the ratios, is indicative of viral infection. The methods are particularly efficient when using cavity ringdown spectroscopy for the monitoring. They may be used for monitoring a patient already admitted to a hospital, or for monitoring a patient initially complaining of adverse symptoms, or for triage, or for collectively monitoring a population of animals.

Abstract: Measuring ethanol vapour concentration comprising; introducing an ethanol vapour sample into a fuel cell that is adapted to generate an output which is proportional to the ethanol vapour concentration of the ethanol sample; a voltage measurement circuit; a current measurement circuit; and means to switch the fuel cell output either to the voltage measurement circuit or to the current measurement circuit in dependence on one or more predetermined signal measurement parameters. The signal measurement parameter may be the temperature of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.

Abstract: Calibration and accuracy check systems for a chemical sniffer, such as a breath alcohol tester, which utilize the dispensing of droplets with determinable concentration of alcohol and/or other liquids in a determinable number either directly to a reaction chamber, or into a carrier gas which can be sampled. The systems generally provide for accurate sample concentration being provided to the breath tester while also providing for a simplified system which can be easier to move, and require less operational complexity, than prior wet or dry calibrating systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a concentration of CO2 for a vehicle may include an indoor panel of a vehicle in which an air inlet is mounted, and a CO2 sensing unit mounted in the indoor panel, including a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, and a case surrounding the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit so as to reflect and move light on a plane, and vertically introduced with air introduced into the inlet with respect to the plane on which light moves.

Abstract: A portable breath analyzing device to measure the rate of partial gas that is exhaled in the breath fluid. The device includes a rechargeable power supply unit, a device to emit pulsated infrared radiation, an infrared receiver, and a measuring vessel. The emission device includes a heating element; the measuring vessel includes a metallic tube whose interior surface is polished and coated with a deposit that reflects at least the infrared radiation of wavelengths that are between (9 ?m, 10 ?m) and at each end of the tube, a nozzle comprising a cone-shaped section meant to be placed in the tube axis. The infrared emission device is placed on the longitudinal axis of the tube, at the level of one of the nozzles, and the receiver is placed on the longitudinal axis, at the level of the other nozzle.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the emission of greenhouse gas, in particular methane, by ruminants, in particular dairy animals includes counting eructations (“belches”) of the animal. This is done by measuring a signal linked to the eructations, for example sound with a microphone. Given that the methane content of an eructation of this type is more or less constant, the total methane emission can be derived therefrom by counting.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for testing exhaled breath condensate for at least one biometric marker, including a substrate for collecting exhaled breath condensate, the substrate capable of being brought to a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, a collector for retaining the substrate and for receiving a biometric marker reagent. The invention may further include receiving exhaled breath in a collector, the collector comprising a substrate, the substrate being at a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, collecting the exhaled breath condensate on the substrate, and bringing a biometric marker reagent in contact with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a class of sensors prepared from regions of conducting organic materials and conducting materials that show an increase sensitivity detection limit for amines. The present class of sensors have applications in the detection of spoiled food products and in testing for diseases, such as cholera and lung cancer, which have amines as biomarkers.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring sobriety using a hand-held breath testing device that, on receipt of a user's breath, generates a breath test signal comprising substance content data and user identification data, and wirelessly transmits the breath test signal to a breath test signal receiving station. The breath test signal includes substance content data and user identification data. The substance content data includes a blood alcohol level and the user identification data includes compressed image data. The signal receiving station is monitored by a supervisor who is able to intervene should the blood alcohol level be greater than a predetermined threshold, or should the user identification data no match with a reference user identification data.

Abstract: A chemical impairment detection system and method of use comprising a video surveillance system adapted to record a facial image of a tester, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images and distinguishes whether those images have appropriate construction or contrast of light intensity. The invention further comprises a control and relay module having a proper view and position determiner adapted to determine whether the facial image of the tester is properly positioned within the field of view during a chemical impairment detection test, and a test prompter to alert the tester when to begin the chemical impairment detection test. The present invention further comprises a chemical impairment detection sampling device in operable communication with and responsive to the video surveillance system, the sampling device adapted to receive a chemical impairment detection test sample from the tester.

Abstract: The present invention provides sets of VOCs for breath analysis. Methods of use thereof in diagnosing, monitoring or prognosing breast cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer or colon cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A concealment apparatus for ignition interlock devices includes a container that has a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall separating the top and the bottom. The at least one sidewall includes a screen opening for viewing at least a screen of an ignition interlock device. The container can resemble a beverage container, such as a mug, a tumbler, a can, a sports bottle, or a thermos. An ignition interlock concealment system includes a concealment apparatus and an ignition interlock device contained therein.

Abstract: A method for determining a sample flow volume is disclosed herein. The method includes withdrawing the sample flow at a first and second flow rate from a gas flow, measuring a concentration of at least one gas component and measuring at least one of an airway pressure and flow. The method also includes generating first measurement results based on the concentration, generating second measurement results based on the at least one of the airway pressure and flow and setting a suitable point of comparison. The method further includes determining a first and second time delay between the point of comparison of the first and second measurement results of the first and second flow rate, providing information about the first and second sample flow rate and determining the sample volume based on differences between the first and second time delay. A corresponding arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the detection of alcohol. The present invention relates more particularly to the film bulk acoustic wave resonator-based devices, and their use in the sensing of ethanol and/or acetone. One aspect of the invention is a method for detecting ethanol, acetone or both in a gaseous sample including: providing a film bulk acoustic wave resonator having a zinc oxide piezoelectric layer; exposing the film bulk acoustic wave resonator to the gaseous sample; determining the resonant frequency of the film bulk acoustic wave resonator; and determining the concentration of ethanol, the concentration of acetone, or both in the gaseous sample using the resonant frequency of the film bulk acoustic wave resonator.

Abstract: The present invention describes a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module that can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module or re-calibrated. The breath alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of a Breath Alcohol Testing Device (commonly called “breathalyser” or “breathalyzer”). The breath alcohol sensor module can be separately calibrated for accurate calculation of “percent blood alcohol concentration” (% BAC) based on breath air samples and then re-installed into the breath alcohol tester or the old breath alcohol sensor module can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module. The present invention improves upon and/or replacing the current method of re-calibration at a breathalyzer service center.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented including an input unit for receiving initial breath samples; a breath analysis module for analyzing the initial breath samples; a comparison module for comparing the initial breath samples to subsequent breath inputs; and a breath authorization module for locking and/or unlocking the apparatus in response to results received from the comparison module. The apparatus may also include a storage unit for storing the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs. The breath analysis module is a chemical breath component analyzer configured to: (i) count each of a plurality of select volatile organic compounds from the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs received from the input unit and (ii) determine a concentration of each of the plurality of the select volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for the analysis of gases for medical purposes are described. In one aspect, a system includes a sample collector to collect a physical sample associated with an individual and present a gas sample for analysis, a gas analysis device to analyze the gas sample presented by the sample collector to determine a concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample, a data storage device that includes information reflecting a correlation between concentration of the one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and a disease state, and a data analysis device to determine a medical condition of the individual based on the concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and the information.

Abstract: A sidestream sampling system includes a sidestream gas measurement assembly and a sample cell configured to be assembled therewith. The sidestream gas measurement assembly includes a receptacle for removably receiving at least a portion of the sample cell. The sample cell is coupled to a sampling tube that is configured to communicate with an airway of an individual. When the sample cell is assembled with the sidestream gas measurement assembly, a window of the sample cell is oriented toward a corresponding source and/or detector of the sidestream gas measurement assembly to facilitate monitoring of an amount of at least one gas or vaporized material in an individual's respiration.

Abstract: A mainstream gas monitoring system and method that includes a mainstream airway adapter, and a gas sensing assembly associated with the mainstream airway adapter to measure an analyte of a gas flow through the adapter. A gas sensing portion outputs a signal indicative of the analyte in a gas flow in the mainstream airway adapter. A processing portion receives the signal from the gas sensing portion and determines an amount of the analyte in the gas flow based on the signal from the gas sensing portion. The gas sensing portion is subject to temperature variations associated with variations in flow rate and direction of respiratory gases. Methods are described that utilize the measurement of instantaneous respiratory flow rate combined with estimates of gas temperature and composition to estimate the sensor cooling effects from which a flow based time varying compensation factor is derived.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic method and breath-testing device for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease or other gastrointestinal malabsorption in adults and children, and uses a hydrogen selective sensor in the form of a ZnO nanowire-based sensor fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB/SEM) instrument or a thin film.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for the collection of bioaerosols (such as viruses, bacteria, and proteins) from the exhaled breath of humans and/or animals, for the purpose of determining, for example, particle size, generation rate, diseases and interventions for particle release.

Abstract: A method for predicting the onset of any (NO)-related negative influence of hemolysis, such as pain or the likely occurrence of a stroke, in a human patient by detecting abnormal levels of hemolysis, through the measurement of one or more breath gas concentrations.

Abstract: There is provided a breath sampling tube including an inner conduit, wherein at least a portion of the inner conduit is non-cylindrical and adapted to store liquids. There is also provided a breath sampling system including a gas analyzer and a breath sampling tube may include an inner conduit, wherein at least a portion of the inner conduit is non-cylindrical and adapted to store liquids. Also provided is a method of breath sampling including channeling breath through a tube having an inner conduit, wherein at least a portion of the inner conduit is non-cylindrical and adapted to store liquids.

Abstract: An interlock system (1) for a vehicle is provided with an alcohol tester (4), which is designed to measure the alcohol level of a driver of the vehicle. A control device (2) is coupled with the alcohol tester (4) and is designed to make it possible to start the vehicle or to prevent the vehicle from being started depending on the measured alcohol level. A transceiver module (3) is coupled with the control device (2) and is designed to send data to a remotely located control system in a wireless manner or to receive data from said control system in a wireless manner. The transceiver module (3) is designed, furthermore, to release the control device (2) in response to data received in a wireless manner in order to make it possible to start the vehicle regardless of the operating state of the control device.

Abstract: A breath alcohol analyser capable of taking a breath sample from a driver, qualitatively and quantitatively analysing the alcohol level in the driver's breath, comparing the alcohol to an established acceptable level for driving. If the alcohol level in the breath of the driver exceeds the acceptable level for driving, the breath alcohol analyser is capable of indicating to the driver how long need the driver wait in order for the alcohol in his body to breakdown to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A CO2 measuring device for use in a high humidity environment typically found in re-breathing apparatus, especially underwater re-breathing apparatus, that allows commonly available CO2 gas detectors to function properly and further provides for remote, continuous and/or quantitative sensing of CO2. Under normal conditions found inside re-breathers, a 100% relative humidity condensing environment exists that prevents the use of commercially available CO2 detectors which typically require relative humidity to be less than about 90 to 95% for proper operation. A venturi mixing device is disclosed that is driven by pressurized makeup gases routinely added into the re-breathing loop, acting to draw and mix with a portion of the moisture laden gas from the re-breather environment, creating a combined gas mixture with relative humidity well within the operating range of commercially available CO2 detectors.

Abstract: Materials and methods for detecting the early onset of shock and multi-organ failure by production of tissue breakdown products in biological samples (e.g., expired air).

Abstract: A liquid separator includes: a housing including: a first part including a first chamber; a second part including a second chamber; an inflow port into which a respiratory gas flows; a process chamber configured to perform a trapping process to trap liquid from the respiratory gas; and an outflow port from which the processed respiratory gas is discharged; a filter which is disposed in the process chamber interposed between the inflow port and the outflow port, and which partitions the process chamber into the first chamber on a side of the inflow port and the second chamber on a side of the outflow port; and a heating unit configured to heat at least one of the second part, the filter, and a vicinity of the filter.

Abstract: This application discloses a system for detecting mouth alcohol which is integrated with a breath-measuring instrument. In an embodiment, the breath-measuring instrument comprises a single fuel cell system, wherein the single fuel cell measures an individual's alveolar breath as well as detection of any mouth alcohol. In a further embodiment, the breath-measuring instrument comprises a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, wherein the first fuel cell measures alveolar breath and the second fuel cell detects mouth alcohol.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity analyzer for nitric oxide in exhaled breath at levels of 200 ppb or less with a sensor containing cytochrome C is rendered capable of multiple uses without the need for installing a new sensor for each use. This capability is achieved by regenerating the analyzer after each use by purging the sensor and surrounding regions with NOx-free air in a controlled manner, preferably in pulses separated by equilibration periods.

Abstract: A holder for a liquid separator is disclosed herein. The liquid separator includes a separator body for dividing a sample flow into two separate flows, one of said flows substantially free of liquid being for the gas measurement and another of said flows including at least one of liquid and gas bypassing the measurement, and which liquid separator also includes a detachable liquid container for receiving the another flow. The holder includes a space receiving the liquid separator and also includes a frame surrounding at least partly the space and which frame including a first contact point being in contact with the separator body. The frame also includes a second contact point being in contact with the liquid container and which first contact point together with the second contact point are adapted to hold the liquid separator.

Abstract: An alcohol detection system for a vehicle has an alcohol sensor, for which alcohol measurement preparation processing such as heating the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature is performed, so that the alcohol sensor operates under the stable operation state. The alcohol measurement preparation processing is started, before a driver actually gets in the vehicle. For example, the preparation processing is started, when a predetermined manipulation of a driver on the vehicle before entering the vehicle is detected. The manipulation may be unlocking or opening of a vehicle door.

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.

Abstract: A liquid separation apparatus for removing a liquid from a respiratory gas is provided. The liquid separation apparatus comprises a housing that comprises an input, wherein a sample withdrawn from the respiratory gas is delivered through the input; a first output wherein at least part of the sample of the respiratory gas is discharged through the first output; and a first filter configured to remove the liquid from the sample of respiratory gas flowing through the input and the first output of the housing. The first filter comprises a hydrophobic property and an oleophobic property to remove the liquid when a surface tension of the liquid is lower than a surface tension of bodily fluids.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable sensor for use with a device that quantifies analytes in a gaseous sample. It comprises (i) a sensing element, (ii) a means for interfacing the disposable sensor with a gas analysis device, and (iii) a housing. When used with a device that can quantify the concentration of an analyte in a gas sample, the present invention facilitates the use of exhaled breath analysis as a clinical tool.