# US 2016/0258917 A1 · Spectroscopic breath detector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258917 A1 - Document ID: US20160258917A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/641,306 - Filed: 2015-03-07 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-07 - Assignees: Matthew David Armstrong - Inventors: Matthew David Armstrong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258917A1 ## CPC - G01N 33/0047: {Organic compounds} - G01N 33/0011: {Sample conditioning (preparing specimens for investigation G01N1/28)} - G01N 33/0016: {by regulating a physical variable, e.g. pressure or temperature} - G01N 33/497: of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath - G01N 21/33: using ultraviolet light (G01N21/39 takes precedence) - G01N 33/4975: {other than oxygen, carbon dioxide or alcohol, e.g. organic vapours} - 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) ## Abstract A replaceable spectroscopic detector used in volatile organic compounds testing devices, such as a portable breath testing device for roadside drug testing or a testing device for any air handling systems, such as those used for indoor agriculture, which reversibly sorb compounds and prepare a concentrated sample in a single gas cell configured for performing spectroscopy of the contents within the cell. The disclosed invention comprising; one or more check valves, a source of electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic receiver that releasably connects to a volatile organic compounds testing device such that it is replaceable and is configured for performing spectroscopy and passing exhaled breath and/or airflow through a disposable and replaceable reversibly engaging cartridge comprising a reversible sorbent and a gas cell configured for spectroscopy. The invention further comprises a heater that preferably is included in the cartridge for heating the cell and desorbing the sorbed compounds preparing a concentrated sample inside the gas cell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spectroscopic breath detector for a volatile organic compounds testing device, viewed externally as tubular in appearance, for performing spectroscopy of contents within, in which the spectroscopic breath detector comprises: an electromagnetic receiver for providing an output signal at a signal magnitude proportional to the intensity of electromagnetic energy received, an inlet check valve for allowing exhaled breath and/or airflow into a disposable and replaceable cartridge comprising a gas cell configured for receiving exhaled breath and/or airflow and performing spectroscopy of contents within and a reversible sorbent for reversibly sorbing volatile organic compounds, when present, in fluid communication with said gas cell, a heater for heating said cartridge and desorbing the sorbed compounds to form a concentrated sample in said gas cell, an outlet check valve for allowing exhaled breath and/or airflow to exit said cell after encountering said cartridge, a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting electromagnetic energy, at any wavelengths, to interact with said concentrated sample, a releasable electrical connector or more for said source of electromagnetic radiation, heater and electromagnetic receiver, wherein said inlet check valve or said outlet check valve is an in-line check valve, said inlet check valve and said outlet check valve bracket said cartridge according to the flow through said cartridge, said spectroscopic breath detector is configured for reversibly engaging said cartridge or any part, parts, combination of parts, or combinations of parts that include said cartridge and further configured for releasably connecting to and bringing in communication a volatile organic compounds testing device such that exhaled breath and/or airflow is accepted, electrical parts are powered and spectroscopy may be performed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said source of electromagnetic radiation and said electromagnetic receiver bracket said cartridge according to the flow through said gas spectroscopy cell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 2 wherein said cartridge includes said heater. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said heater is a thin film heater. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein one of said check valves houses said source of electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic receiver. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic receiver is housed by one of said check valves and said source of electromagnetic energy is housed by another check valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises said source of electromagnetic radiation or said electromagnetic receiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said source of electromagnetic radiation is a light emitting diode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic receiver is a photodiode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises said reversible sorbent and said reversible sorbent is a chemically-selective substance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 10 wherein said chemically-selective substance being a glycol. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 11 wherein said chemically-selective substance being a glycol is selected from propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 10 wherein said cartridge further comprises said chemically-selective substance supported by a substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 13 wherein said cartridge further comprises a casing, preferably constructed from polyimide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector is configured for reversibly engaging said cartridge or any part, parts, combination of parts, or combinations of parts that include said cartridge according to claim 1 is changed to said spectroscopic breath detector is not configured for reversibly engaging said cartridge or any part, parts, combination of parts, or combinations of parts such that said spectroscopic breath detector is disposable and replaceable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises: said reversible sorbent being a chemically-selective substance, a substrate for supporting said chemically-selective substance, said heater and a casing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 1 wherein said spectroscopic breath detector is further configured for: said inlet check valve housing said releasable electrical connector and said source of electromagnetic radiation, said outlet check valve housing another said releasable electrical connector and said electromagnetic receiver, and said cartridge comprising; said reversible sorbent which is a chemically-selective substance, supported on a substrate which is not electrically conductive, said heater in close proximity to said substrate and a casing of which is not electrically conductive. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A spectroscopic breath detector according to claim 17 wherein said heater is a thin film heater, said source of electromagnetic radiation is a light emitting diode, said electromagnetic receiver is a photodiode and said chemically-selective substance is a glycol. ### Claim 19 A method of using the spectroscopic breath detector comprises means to pass exhaled breath and/or airflow through a gas cell to reversibly sorb volatile organic compounds, when present, using a reversibly engaging cartridge and to thermally desorb and contain or reduce the loss of compounds to form a concentrated sample inside said gas cell to interact with electromagnetic energy from a source of electromagnetic radiation before the energy encounters an electromagnetic receiver. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19 adding a means to evacuate said thermally desorbed compounds inside said gas spectroscopy cell using exhaled breath and/or airflow at anytime.