Patent ID: 8021308
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: A61B,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation, including the steps of: drawing a flow of air from the breath of a patient; monitoring the CO 2 level of said flow of air; identifying a point of transition between an increasing CO 2 level and a decreasing CO 2 in said flow of air, said point of transition representative of a change from exhalation to inhalation in the breath of said patient; upon identification of said transition point, isolating a sample volume of said flow of air drawn prior to said transition point; diverting a continued flow of air past the isolated sample volume; monitoring the CO 2 level of said continued flow of air to confirm said change from exhalation to inhalation in the breath of said patient; upon confirmation of said change from exhalation to inhalation in the breath of said patient, diverting said continued flow of air to displace said isolated sample volume through at least one gas measurement component; and measuring using a gas analyzer, at least one gas level in said isolated sample volume.