Monitoring breath markers under controlled conditions

J Breath Res. 2015 Oct 15;9(4):047101. doi: 10.1088/1752-7155/9/4/047101.

Abstract

Breath analysis has the potential to detect and monitor diseases as well as to reduce the corresponding medical costs while improving the quality of a patient's life. Herein, a portable prototype, consisting of a commercial breath sampler modified to work as a platform for solid-state gas sensors was developed. The sensor is placed close to the mouth (<10 cm) and minimizes the mouth-to-sensor path to avoid contamination and dilution of the target breath marker. Additionally with an appropriate cooling concept, even high sensor operating temperatures (e.g. 350 °C) could be used. Controlled sampling is crucial for accurate repeatable analysis of the human breath and these concerns have been addressed by this novel prototype. The device helps a subject control their exhaled flow rate which increases reproducibility of intra-subject breath samples. The operation of this flame-made selective chemo-resistive gas sensor is demonstrated by the detection of breath acetone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetone / analysis
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Breath Tests / instrumentation
  • Breath Tests / methods*
  • Exhalation
  • Humans
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Acetone