US 9,643,186 B1 · Breath analysis system, device and method employing nanoparticle-based sensor

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fluid collecting device configured to receive a sample of breath; a conditioning device coupled to the fluid collecting device and configured to receive the sample of breath and condition the sample with respect to at least one of temperature, flow rate, pressure, humidity, and concentration; and a sensing device coupled to the conditioning device and configured to receive the conditioned sample, wherein the sensing device includes a nanoparticle-based sensor and further whereby the analyte interacts with the sensing device to cause a change that is sensed by the sensing device and wherein the change comprises information useful in characterizing the analyte. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and characterizing the analyte is useful for health monitoring.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A portable apparatus for sensing an analyte in breath, the apparatus comprising:

a breath analysis device that includes a breath input port fluidically coupled to a nanoparticle-based sensor, the nanoparticle-based sensor comprising a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on a sensing surface, the nanoparticle-based sensor configured to sense a change in an electrical property of the nanoparticles caused by the analyte;
and
a mouthpiece that is removably attachable to the breath analysis device, the mouthpiece including an opening into which a user can exhale to provide a breath sample when the mouthpiece is attached to the breath analysis device, the mouthpiece including a desiccant that conditions the breath sample before the sample enters the breath input port of the breath analysis device, the mouthpiece additionally including a seal that seals the desiccant from an output end of the mouthpiece;
wherein the breath analysis device is configured to break the seal when the mouthpiece is attached to the breath analysis device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Breath analysis system, device and method employing nanoparticle-based sensor

Life of this patent

Breath analysis system, device and method employing nanoparticle-based sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16