Sensor and sensor assembly for detecting a target gas in a breath sample
US6479019B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/4972
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Sensor and sensor assemblies generally comprises a sensor body having a chamber disposed therein for accommodating a sensor reagent or material. The chamber is defined within the body between optically transparent body portions. The chamber is in gas flow communication with a passage used for passing a collected breath to the sensor material. A liquid or solid sensor material is disposed within the chamber and is designed to change in optical properties upon exposure to a target gas within the collected breath sample by reaction therewith. A gas permeable membrane can be disposed over the chamber opening to retain the sensor material, in the event it is liquid, and to permit the diffusion of gas from the collected breath sample to the sensor material. The sensor assembly is used with a photon source that emits photons, within a selected wavelength band, onto the chamber and sensor material, and a photon collector that is used to receive photons that exit the chamber. The photon source and photon collector can be part of the sensor assembly or can be part of a breath diagnostic assembly, of which the sensor assembly is a removable member. An optical reading means can be used to dete…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.