Gas sampling catheters, systems and methods

An apparatus for sampling gases in a patient comprising:

• a device selected from the group consisting of an endoscope and a bronchoscope, the device comprising a lumen;
• and
• a gas sampling catheter disposed within a lumen of the device, the gas sampling catheter comprising
• a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a lumen therein,
• a gas sampling port providing fluid communication between the exterior of the catheter shaft adjacent the distal end of the lumen of the catheter shaft;
• and
• a sensor element disposed within the lumen, the sensor element configured to detect a component of a gaseous sample, the sensor element comprising
• a first measurement zone comprising a plurality of discrete binding detectors.

A method for sampling a gas of a patient comprising:

• inserting a disposable gas sampling catheter into a patient;
• drawing in a fluid sample of the patient into gas sampling catheter;
• and
• contacting the fluid sample with a sensor element disposed within the lumen, the sensor element configured to detect a component of a gaseous sample, the sensor element comprising
• a first measurement zone comprising a plurality of discrete binding detectors.