# US 12,007,385 B2 · Systems and methods for detecting a brain condition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,385 B2 - Document ID: US12007385B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/941,364 - Filed: 2022-09-09 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-19 - Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota - Applicants: Regents of the University of Minnesota - Inventors: Gregory Kermit Peterson; Justin Theodore Nelson; Gregory J. Sherwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007385B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/497: of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath - A61B 5/082: {Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath (A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence)} - A61B 5/4064: {Evaluating the brain (for intracranial pressure A61B5/031; for cerebral blood gases A61B5/14553; using EEG A61B5/369)} - G01N 1/2226: {Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space} - G01N 27/227: {Sensors changing capacitance upon adsorption or absorption of fluid components, e.g. electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensors, MOS capacitors (G01N27/225 takes precedence)} - G01N 33/6896: {Neurological disorders, e.g. Alzheimer's disease} - A61B 2505/01: Emergency care - G01N 33/4972: {Determining alcohol content (for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06)} - G01N 2001/2244: {Exhaled gas, e.g. alcohol detecting} - G01N 2800/2871: Cerebrovascular disorders, e.g. stroke, cerebral infarct, cerebral haemorrhage, transient ischemic event - H10D 62/882: {Graphene} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H10D: INORGANIC ELECTRIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES ## Abstract Embodiments herein include a method for detecting a brain condition in a subject. The method can include obtaining a breath sample from the subject and contacting it with a chemical sensor element, where the chemical sensor element includes a plurality of discrete graphene varactors. The method can include sensing and storing capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors to obtain a sample data set and classifying the sample data set into one or more preestablished brain condition classifications. Other embodiments are also included herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting, treating, and/or monitoring a brain injury in a subject, comprising: a controller circuit; and a chemical sensor element, the chemical sensor element comprising a plurality of discrete graphene varactors; wherein the system is configured to receive a breath sample from the subject and contact the same with the chemical sensor element; sense and store capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors across a range of bias voltages to obtain a sample data set; classify the sample data set into one or more preestablished brain condition classifications by comparing the sample data set against one or more previously determined patterns using a pattern matching or a pattern recognition algorithm, wherein the one or more previously determined patterns are characteristic of specific brain condition states; identify the subject as having a severe traumatic brain injury; and initiate a surgical therapy to the subject, wherein the surgical therapy is selected from a group consisting of removing a hematoma, repairing a skull fracture, stopping a brain bleed, and opening a window in a skull of the subject. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to receive a breath sample within 10 minutes following the brain injury. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to receive a breath sample at least two times over a period of 24 hours following an onset of the brain injury. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the system is configured to analyze the sample data set to determine an improvement or a worsening in the brain injury of the subject over 24 hours. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the brain injury is at least one of a chronic condition, a subacute condition, and an acute condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the breath sample is received from the subject prior to the subject participating in a sporting event. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the breath sample is received from the subject prior to the subject participating in a sporting event and is performed at least one additional time after the sporting event begins or is completed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the range of bias voltages is from −3 V to 3 V. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least 40 discrete capacitance values are stored for each graphene varactor across the range of bias voltages. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the breath sample interface with the discrete graphene varactors to influence sensed capacitance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete graphene varactors are functionalized with polar compounds having a dipole moment from 1.5 D to 5 D. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further configured to store additional data regarding the subject beyond sensed capacitance as part of the sample data set that is classified. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, the additional data comprising at least one of: prior traumatic brain injuries of the subject; an amount of elapsed time since an event has occurred which resulted in an injury to the subject; age of the subject; results of a neurological examination; symptoms experienced by the subject; and data regarding specific biomarkers of a brain condition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to further analyze the sample data set to identify if the subject is a candidate for drug therapy for the brain injury. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein, after the system has initiated a surgical therapy to the subject, the system is configured to monitor progress in response to the surgical therapy by receiving a breath sample from the subject and contacting the same with the chemical sensor element; sensing and storing capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors across a range of bias voltages to obtain a sample data set; and classifying the sample data set into one or more preestablished brain condition classifications. ### Claim 16 A system for detecting, treating, and/or monitoring a brain injury in a subject, comprising: a controller circuit; and a chemical sensor element, the chemical sensor element comprising a plurality of discrete graphene varactors; wherein the system is configured to receive a breath sample from the subject and contact the same with the chemical sensor element; sense and store capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors across a range of bias voltages to obtain a sample data set; classify the sample data set into one or more preestablished brain condition classifications by comparing the sample data set against one or more previously determined patterns using a pattern matching or a pattern recognition algorithm, wherein the one or more previously determined patterns are characteristic of specific brain condition states; identify the subject as having a mild traumatic brain injury; and initiate a treatment to the subject, wherein the treatment comprises the administration of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relieving drugs capable of treating the mild traumatic brain injury to the subject.