Patent ID: 9204821
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting an upper respiratory bacterial infection from exhaled mammalian breath, comprising: a colorimetric sensor array including a plurality of chemoresponsive colorants having a spectral response characteristic that changes when exposed to bacteria-produced analytes in the exhaled mammalian breath; a flow regulating system for directing a leading portion of the exhaled mammalian breath along a flow path into gaseous communication with the chemoresponsive colorants of the colorimetric sensor array to change the spectral response characteristic, and for discharging a trailing portion of the exhaled mammalian breath away from gaseous communication with the colorimetric sensor array exteriorly of the apparatus; an oxidizer upstream of the chemoresponsive colorants in the flow path for oxidizing the bacteria-produced analytes and increasing reactivity of the oxidized bacteria-produced analytes with the chemoresponsive colorants; and a spectral analysis system for analyzing the spectral response characteristic changed solely by the leading portion of the exhaled mammalian breath, and for detecting the upper respiratory bacterial infection when the bacteria-produced analytes are present therein.