US 6,148,657 AGranted

Method and apparatus for analyzing a breath sample

AssigneesSuzuki Motor Corporation, Akira Takenaka

InventorsKatsuhiko Satoh, Akira Yanagida, Akira Takenaka

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Abstract

Method and apparatus for analyzing a breath sample provide user-friendly operation and analysis. The method and apparatus provide for automatic operation and coordination of operation of and absorbent sample tube, including desorbing means, a chromatographic precolumn, a chromatographic main column, a detector, a data processor, a sample receiving tube for receiving exhaled breath sample, a sample loop for aspirating a prescribed quantity of breath sample from the sample receiving tube, a sample valve, a standard gas reservoir, and a standard gas valve. All of the foregoing are operated automatically in such that start cycles, detector cycles, fault detection cycles, standardizing, analysis, shutdown and end cycles are performed in a way which allows for straightforward and simple measurement of breath sample by a user.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method of analyzing a breath sample, comprising components having retention times, with an apparatus for analyzing a breath sample, the method comprising:

(a) initiating starting, the starting comprising heating a detector and column to a prescribed temperature for supplying a carrier gas to a chromatographic column and testing the same;
(b) introducing a breath sample into said apparatus;
(c) desorption, the desorption comprising heating a first absorbent tube and cooling a second absorbent tube, followed by heating the second absorbent tube;
(d) detecting a peak for each retention time by means of the detector;
(e) reducing temperature of the detector and the column and discontinuing supply of the carrier gas;
(f) measuring sensitivity of the column with a standard gas;
(g) measuring resolution of the column with a standard gas;
(h) conditioning the column when sensitivity of resolution falls below a threshold value;
(i) again measuring sensitivity and resolution after completion of conditioning;
and
(j) warning a user of deterioration of the column when a measured sensitivity or resolution falls below said threshold value.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.