Blood alcohol concentration measuring from respiratory air
US5971937A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/4972
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring a blood alcohol content value by means of a breath alcohol concentration as well as for securing the reliability of this measured value. The apparatus comprises: sensor elements (1) for obtaining a measured alcohol concentration value from an incoming exhalation air stream; sensor elements (1) for obtaining a measured carbon dioxide concentration value from the same exhalation air stream (9); as well as first output elements (2) for producing, if necessary, a result proportional at least to a blood alcohol content. The apparatus further includes a first memory (M1) for storing a predetermined carbon dioxide lower threshold value or lower threshold values (R1, R2, R3 and/or Rf) and/or an upper threshold value or upper threshold values (R4, R5, R6 and/or Rg) and a first comparing element (C1) for comparing the measured carbon dioxide concentration value to said threshold values as well as a first logic element (L1) for producing outputs of a preset type depending on whether the measured carbon dioxide concentration fails to reach or exceeds the predetermined lower threshold values or upper threshold values.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.