Patent Publication Number: US-2023148902-A1

Title: Voc capture and storage system and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims benefit to the extent permitted by law of U.S. Patent Application 63/263,054, entitled, “VOC Capture System and Method of Use,” filed on Oct. 26, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to devices and methods for capturing and storing small particles and more specifically to system and method for capturing and storing particles including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a subject&#39;s breath. 
     Common devices for capturing and storing small particles include test tubes, swabs, and adhesive films. Frequently, the particles desired to be collected are VOCs found in a subject&#39;s nose or throat. In one example of collecting these small particles, a swab is rubbed against a selected area of the subject to dislodge the small particles and retain those particles on or between fibers forming the swab. Once the particles are collected, the swab is sealed in a vial or other container for storage. Later, the swab and collected particles are removed from the container for use. 
     One of the problems with using a swab or other collection device results from the locations where the particles are found. For example when the particles of interest are in a subject&#39;s nose, the particles are usually concentrated a few inches inside nose and toward the back of the nasal cavity. When a swab is inserted to this location, most subjects experience discomfort. Another problem inherent with collecting particles with a swab is that the swab is susceptible to contacting mucus and debris in the nose when being inserted and withdrawn. During insertion, contact with these untargeted materials blocks the swab fibers from picking up desired particles once the swab reaches the target site, and during removal, contact with these materials often dislodges collected particles from the swab fibers. Thus, swabs are not optimally suited for collecting particles. Moreover, after the target particles are collected on a swab, the particles frequently must be separated from the swab fibers and untargeted materials before they can be studied. The separation processes further decrease the effectiveness and efficiency of collecting particles with a swab. 
     Many other collection systems suffer from similar limitations. Although improvements have been made in particle capture and storage systems further improvements are needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a method of capturing volatile organic compounds entrained in respiratory gases of a subject. The method comprises the steps of fluidly communicating the respiratory gases of the subject with a passage of a system. The passage extends from the entrance at an upstream end of the passage to an exit at a downstream end of the passage. The system includes a particle collector positioned in the passage. The subject is allowed to exhale while the passage of the system is in fluid communication with the respiratory gases of the subject. After a predetermined event, the passage of the system is fluidly isolated from the respiratory gases of the subject. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure includes a system for capturing and storing particles entrained in fluid. The system comprises a tubular body having an inner surface defining a passage extending from an entrance at an upstream end of the passage to an exit at a downstream end of the passage. A collector lines the inner surface of the body. The collector is adapted to collect at least part of the particles entrained in the fluid flowing through the passage from the entrance to the exit and to retain at least a portion of the collected particles for later use. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a system for capturing and storing volatile organic compounds entrained in respiratory gases of a person. The system comprises a tubular body having an inner surface defining a passage extending from an entrance at an upstream end of the passage to an exit at a downstream end of the passage. A multiplicity of filaments are positioned in the passage of the body adapted to capture volatile organic compounds entrained in respiratory gases exhaled by the person. Each of the filaments extends from the inner surface of the tubular body. 
     Other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent in view of the following description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation of a first example of a VOC capture system; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation of a second or alternative example of a VOC capture system; and 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart illustrating a method of collecting VOCs. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG.  1   , a system for collecting and retaining particles (e.g., capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) is designated in its entirety by the reference number  10 . As will be explained, the system  10  is also adapted for storing the captured particles. Although the primary focus of the system is collecting VOCs from a subject&#39;s respiratory gases, it is envisioned that similar systems could be used to collect particles from fluids generally. The illustrated system  10  comprises a tubular body, generally designated by  12  having a passage  14  extending from an entrance  16  at an upstream end  18  of the passage to an exit  20  at a downstream end  22  of the passage. The passage  14  is defined by an inner surface  24  of the body  12  having a collector, generally designated by  30 . In the illustrated example, the collector  30  comprises a plurality of filaments  32  extending inward into the passage  14  from the inner surface  24  of the body  12 . As will be appreciated, the passage  14  permits fluid flow through the body  12  from the upstream end  18  to the downstream end  22 . The filaments  32  are adapted to collect particles P or VOCs carried by the fluid passing through the passage  14 . Although the filaments may be made from other suitable materials such as cotton, felted synthetic material, woven or knitted fabric, or other suitable textiles, the illustrated filaments  32  are made from fibers comprising a suitable synthetic polymer. It is envisioned that the filaments  32  may be treated with an adhesive coating or electrostatic charge to enhance their collection and retention properties. Even though the illustrated passage  14  is shown as extending in a straight line between the upstream end  18  and the downstream end  22 , the passage may have other, non-linear, shapes. Further, it is envisioned the passage  14  may have a cross section that varies in size and shape between the upstream end  18  and the downstream end  22  of the passage. 
     In a second example shown in  FIG.  2   , the system  10 ′ is generally identical to the system of the first example shown in  FIG.  1    except the system of the second example has a flowmeter  40  positioned in fluid communication with the passage  14  so the flowmeter measures the fluid passing through the passage. Although the flowmeter  40  may be located at other locations, the illustrated flowmeter is mounted on the body  12  immediately upstream from the entrance  16 . It is envisioned the flowmeter  40  may be made to separate from the system  10 ′ so the same flowmeter may be used with multiple systems  10 . The flowmeter  40  measures fluid flow through the passage  14  allowing a volume of gas having passed through the flowmeter to be calculated. Thus, the flowmeter  40  may enable a user to know when a predetermined volume of fluid has passed through the passage  14  to ensure target particles are captured by the by the collector if they are present in sufficient numbers. Measuring passing volume also enables a user to estimate a density of entrained particles P. 
     To use the system  10 , the entrance  16  is placed in fluid communication with fluid (e.g., gas) emitted from a subject as shown in  FIG.  3    at step  60 . Preferably, the selected fluid passes over a site having target particles or VOCs and picks up or flushes the particles from the target so particles become entrained in the fluid stream. The fluid stream and entrained particles are directed into the system  10  through the entrance  16 . In the case of target particles potentially being present in a subject&#39;s lungs, the particles are likely to be present in exhaled respiratory gases. Thus, a subject may hold the upstream end  18  of the system  10  between their lips and exhale a preselected number of times into the entrance  16  of the system. As the subject exhales the respiratory gases travel through the passage  14  with entrained particles P ( FIG.  1   ). As illustrated at step  62  of  FIG.  3   , the filaments  32  collect and retain at least some of the particles P traveling through the passage  14  before the gas leaves the system through the exit  20  at the downstream end  22  of the system. Alternatively, medical personnel may position the system  10  in fluid communication with respiratory equipment (not shown) during a selected number of exhalations or for a selected period of time to collect particles P on or between the filaments  32 . After capturing the particles, a user may store the particles P in the collector  30  by plugging the entrance  16  and the exit  20  with corresponding caps or plugs  50  as shown in step  64  of  FIG.  3   . The plugs  50  are shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    as forming part of the system  10  or  10 ′. As will appreciated the system  10  or  10 ′ may be shipped with the plugs  50  positioned on the upstream end  18  and downstream end  22 . A user may remove the plugs  50  prior to use and reinstall them once collection is complete to store sample until used. With the plugs in position, the passage  14  is isolated from contaminates prior to use and after use. 
     Collecting respiratory samples using either of the described systems  10 ,  10 ′ is significantly less intrusive and much simpler than collecting samples many conventional collection devices such as swabs. Further, the collection procedure is much more repeatable than prior art collection devices. Therefore several benefits and advantages are provided by the systems  10 ,  10 ′. 
     The particular examples, as well as the concepts and principles described in the foregoing text and shown in the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claims that follow. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Further, it is envisioned that various changes could be made to the constructions and processes described above without departing from the scope of the claims. As far as the description and accompanying drawings disclose additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims, these additional disclosures are not dedicated to the public and the right to file additional claims and additional applications is reserved.