Non-invasive, miniature, breath monitoring apparatus

A method of monitoring a subject's breath for diagnostic analysis comprising;

• delivering a sample gas mixture to a subject;
• collecting a breath sample from said subject;
• delivering said breath sample from said subject to a miniature sample cell;
• projecting collimated beams of IR radiation from a CO2 laser and a broadband thermal element through said miniature sample cell;
• analyzing selected frequency components of said collimated beam with one or more spectrometers;
• storing each output from said one or more spectrometers;
• converting said outputs from each spectrometer to concentration readings;
• whereby said outputs can be processed to produce diagnostic information.

A method of monitoring a subject's breath for diagnostic analysis comprising;

• delivering a sample gas mixture to a subject;
• collecting a breath sample from said subject;
• delivering said breath sample from said subject to a miniature light pipe sample cell;
• projecting one or more collimated beams of radiation through said miniature sample cell;
• analyzing selected frequency components of said collimated beam with one or more spectrometers;
• storing each output from said one or more spectrometers;
• converting said outputs from each spectrometer to concentration readings;
• whereby said outputs can be processed to produce diagnostic information.

A method of monitoring a subject's breath for diagnostic analysis comprising;

• delivering a sample gas mixture to a subject;
• collecting a breath sample from said subject;
• said step of collecting a breath sample from said subject comprises filling an anesthetic bag with said sample gas mixture, connecting said anesthetic bag to a flow control valve, placing a breathing tube with said valve in the mouth of a subject, and connecting said breathing tube to said miniature sample cell;
• delivering said breath sample from said subject to a miniature sample cell;
• projecting one or more collimated beams of radiation through said miniature sample cell;
• analyzing selected frequency components of said collimated beam with one or more spectrometers;
• storing each output from said one or more spectrometers;
• converting said outputs from each spectrometer to concentration readings;
• whereby said outputs can be processed to produce diagnostic information.

A method of monitoring a subject's breath for diagnostic analysis comprising;

• delivering a sample gas mixture to a subject;
• collecting a breath sample from said subject;
• delivering said breath sample from said subject to a miniature sample cell;
• projecting one or more collimated beams of radiation through said miniature sample cell;
• filtering spectral interferences from said analysis by inserting an optical chamber downstream from said miniature sample cell, filling said optical chamber with a gas having the spectral interference to be filtered;
• analyzing selected frequency components of said collimated beam with one or more spectrometers;
• storing each output from said one or more spectrometers;
• converting said outputs from each spectrometer to concentration readings;
• whereby said outputs can be processed to produce diagnostic information.

A method of monitoring a subject's breath for diagnostic analysis comprising;

• delivering a sample gas mixture to a subject, said subject rebreathing said sample gas mixture;
• collecting a breath sample from said subject;
• delivering said breath sample from said subject to a miniature sample cell;
• projecting one or more collimated beams of radiation through said miniature sample cell;
• analyzing selected frequency components of said collimated beam with one or more spectrometers;
• storing each output from said one or more spectrometers;
• converting said outputs from each spectrometer to concentration readings;
• whereby said outputs can be processed to produce diagnostic information.