Patent ID: 8348853

Claim:
A device for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction, the device including an airway defining a longitudinal axis and having an inlet and an outlet through which a user breathes, the device comprising: a) a plurality of sensors that monitor the content and flow of a patient's exhaled breath of air with respect to a plurality of parameters related to respiratory dysfunction, the plurality of sensors disposed in and/or about the airway; b) a stationary flow restrictor for restricting the flow of air disposed within the airway said restrictor comprising a plurality of openings and occlusions, said restrictor effective for causing a buildup of air pressure in the airway and oriented such that each inhaled and exhaled breath of air passing through the airway is diverted in part out of the airway and into a sensor disposed in a first bypass channel adjacent to the airway and in fluid communication with the airway, such that portions of each inhaled and exhaled breath of air simultaneously pass through the airway and the first bypass channel, wherein the airway defines a first pair of ports through which air may be diverted from the airway into the first bypass channel at an airtight junction; c) a thermal control element, wherein the thermal control element measures temperature within the airway and heats the airway to an optimum temperature at which the plurality of sensors may monitor respiratory dysfunction; d) a controller means adapted to communicate with the plurality of sensors, wherein the controller means monitors sensor output for the presence of respiratory dysfunction; and e) a second bypass channel adjacent to the airway and in fluid communication with the airway wherein: i) wherein the airway defines a second pair of ports through which air may be diverted from the airway into the second bypass channel at an airtight junction; ii) the second bypass channel houses an oxygen sensor therein and/or thereon for measuring the concentration of oxygen in a breath to aid in the determination of respiratory dysfunction, and iii) the stationary flow restrictor disposed within the airway directs a portion of the flow of air out of the airway and into the second bypass channel.