Breath collection tool
OwnerXiao-an Fu, Michael Nantz +1inventors
InventorsXiao-an Fu, Michael Nantz, Jiapeng Huang
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Abstract
A tool for collection of exhaled breath includes a microreactor for capturing and concentrating target compounds in a gaseous sample, such as exhaled breath. An airflow of exhaled breath enters the interior of the microreactor, then contacts the central area of the microreactor and is redirected radially outwards, passing through microfluidic channels formed between micropillars, and exits the microreactor through a plurality of vent holes at the periphery. The micropillars are coated with a capture material, such as a reactive compound capable of forming adducts with carbonyl-containing VOCs. The captured target compounds may then be eluted from the micropillars and analyzed for detection of disease states or other purposes.
Claims46
An apparatus for capturing one or more target compounds in a gaseous sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a microreactor including a first side and a second side opposite the first side,
- a circular recess formed in the first side, the circular recess including a central area and a perimeter,
- a plurality of vent holes located within the recess, the vent holes spaced along the perimeter and extending through the microreactor, and
- a plurality of micropillars positioned within the recess between the central area and the perimeter, the plurality of micropillars forming a plurality of microfluidic channels between the central area and the perimeter;
- wherein the plurality of micropillars are coated with a capture material capable of capturing the one or more target compounds.
An apparatus for capturing one or more target compounds in a gaseous sample, the apparatus comprising:
- an apparatus body including an upper section and a lower section, the upper section and lower section being removably attachable to each other;
- wherein the upper section includes
- an upper body having an upper end including an inlet, a lower end, at least one side between the upper end and the lower end, and
- a first passageway extending from the inlet, through the upper body, and terminating in a nozzle opposite the inlet;
- wherein the lower section includes
- a lower body having an upper end, a lower end, at least one side between the upper end and the lower end, and a tube extending from the lower end and terminating in an outlet, and
- a second passageway extending from the upper end, through the lower body, and terminating in the outlet;
- wherein the nozzle is inserted at least partially within the upper end of the lower body;
- and
- wherein the first passageway and second passageway cooperatively form a hollow interior of the apparatus body;
- and
- a microreactor within the second passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, such that airflow into the inlet sequentially passes through the first passageway, nozzle, microreactor, second passageway, and outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.