Patent ID: 7919754
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: B60K,B60W,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject comprising: at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of the substances; a plurality of reflecting surfaces configured for reflecting the radiation; at least one detector configured for receiving the radiation providing electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of the radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to the absorption peaks; at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of the source, the reflecting surfaces and the detector, adapted for the reception and flow of the breath sample, and exposing the breath sample to the radiation; at least one electronic signal processing unit and an algorithm, the electronic signal processing unit configured to execute the algorithm and to analyze the signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of the substances and to cooperate with the system for generating a response to the analyzed signals; and the response of the system being displayed or otherwise communicated, and perceived as essentially instantaneous, and wherein the system is configured to detect and analyze simultaneously a plurality of volatile substances including one of the volatile substances is carbon dioxide and to execute the algorithm which uses a first measured concentration of the carbon dioxide to determine the degree of dilution of the breath sample for adjusting a second measured concentration of another of the volatile substances to approximate the actual concentration of the another of the volatile substances in the breath sample.