System and method for monitoring health using exhaled breath

Abstract

The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring endogenous compound concentration in blood by detecting markers, such as odors, upon exhalation by a patient, wherein such markers are the endogenous compound itself or result from the endogenous compound. In the case of olfactory markers, the invention preferably utilizes electronic sensor technology, such as the commercial devices referred to as “artificial” or “electronic” noses or tongues, to non-invasively monitor endogenous compound levels in blood. The invention further includes a reporting system capable of tracking endogenous compound concentrations in blood (remote or proximate locations) and providing the necessary alerts with regard to emergent or harmful conditions in a patient.

1 . A method for monitoring endogenous compounds in a patient, comprising: 
 sampling a patient's expired breath;    analyzing the breath concentration of at least one endogenous compound marker using sensor technology, wherein the concentration of the at least one endogenous compound marker is proportionate to a corresponding concentration of at least one endogenous compound in the patient;    calculating the concentration of the endogenous compound marker in the patient's breath; and    based on the calculated concentration of the endogenous compound marker in the patient's breath, calculating the corresponding concentration of the endogenous compound in the patient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sample of breath comprises liquid condensates and gaseous phase.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the endogenous compound marker is hydrophilic and is measured in the liquid condensates.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the endogenous compound marker is hydrophobic and is measured in the gaseous phase.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the endogenous compound marker is the endogenous compound, and is any one or combination of substances selected from the group consisting of: glucose; proteins; urobilinogen; urobilirubin; bilirubin; hormones; oligonucleotides; adenosine; adenosine triphosphate (ATP); adenosine diphosphate (ADP); adenosine monophosphate (AMP); prostaglandins; leukotrienes; cytokines; interleukins; melatonin; 6-sulfoxymelatonin; hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α); myogenic regulatory factors; 2,3-diphiosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG); ketones; nitrite; electrolytes; urea; uric acid; ammonia; lactic acid; cholesterol; triglycerides; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and cancer markers.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said endogenous compound marker is a compound derived directly from the endogenous compound.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said endogenous compound marker is a metabolite derived from any one of the endogenous compounds selected from the group consisting of: glucose; proteins; urobilinogen; urobilirubin; bilirubin; hormones; oligonucleotides; adenosine; adenosine triphosphate (ATP); adenosine diphosphate (ADP); adenosine monophosphate (AMP); prostaglandins; leukotrienes; cytokines; interleukins; melatonin; 6-sulfoxynelatonin; hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α); myogenic regulatory factors; 2,3-diphospiloglyecrate (2,3-DPG); ketones; nitrite; electrolytes; urea; uric acid; ammonia; lactic acid; cholesterol; triglycerides; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and cancer markers.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sensor technology is selected from the group consisting of: metal-insulator-metal ensemble (MIME) sensors, cross-reactive optical microsensor arrays, fluorescent polymer films, surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), diode lasers, selected ion flow tubes, metal oxide sensors (MOS), bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors, colorimetric tubes, infrared spcctroscopy, gas chromatography, semiconductive gas sensor technology; mass spectrometers, fluorescent spectrophotometers, conductive polymer gas sensor technology; aptamer sensor technology; amplifying fluorescent polymer (AFP) sensor technology; microcantilever technology; molecularly polymeric film technology; surface resonance arrays; microgravimetric sensors; thickness sheer mode sensors; or surface acoustic wave gas sensor technology.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the sensor technology produces a unique electronic fingerprint to characterize the detection and concentration of said at least one target marker.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of recording data from said sensor.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of transmitting data from said sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising comparing the concentration of at least one endogenous compound marker with a predetermined signature profile.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising capturing a sample of breath prior to exposing said sensor to the expired gas.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising dehumidifying breath sample prior to exposing said sensor to the breath sample.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising exposing said sensor to breath sample during exhalation of the patient's breath.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sample or breath is end-tidal gas.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sensor is portable.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of automatically controlling the administration of a therapeutic drug in response to the calculated concentration of the endogenous compound in the patient.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the endogenous compound is glucose and the therapeutic drug is insulin.  
     
     
         20 . An endogenous compound monitoring system comprising: 
 a means for collecting a sample of a patient's breath;    a sensor technology for analyzing the breath concentration of at least one endogenous compound marker, wherein the concentration of the at least one endogenous compound marker is proportionate to a corresponding concentration of at least one endogenous compound in the patient, wherein the sensor technology generates a signal regarding the analyzed concentration; and    a processor connected to the sensor technology, which receives and analyzes the signal from the sensor to calculate and communicate the corresponding concentration of the endogenous compound in the patient based on the concentration of the endogenous compound marker in the patient's breath.    
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the sample of breath sample comprises liquid condensates and gaseous phase.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the endogenous compound marker is hydrophilic and is measured in the liquid condensates.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the endogenous compound marker is hydrophobic and is measured in the gaseous phase.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the endogenous compound marker is the endogenous compound, and is selected from the group consisting of: glucose; proteins; urobilinogen; urobilirubin; bilirubin; hormones; oligonucleotides; adenosine; adenosine triphosphate (ATP); adenosine diphosphate (ADP); adenosine monophosphate (AMP); prostaglandins; leukotrienes; cytokines; interleukins; melatonin; 6-sulfoxymelatonin; hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α); myogenic regulatory factors; 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG); ketones; nitrite; electrolytes; urea; uric acid; ammonia; lactic acid; cholesterol; triglycerides; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and cancer markers.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the endogenous compound is glucose.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said endogenous compound marker a compound derived directly from the endogenous compound.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the endogenous compound marker is glucose.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein said endogenous compound marker is a metabolite derived from any one of the endogenous compounds selected from the group consisting of: glucose; proteins; urobilinogen; urobilirubin; bilirubin; hormones; oligonucleotides; adenosine; adenosine triphosphate (ATP); adenosine diphosphate (ADP); adenosine monophosphate (AMP); prostaglandins; leukotrienes; cytokines; interleukins; melatonin; 6-sulfoxymelatonin; hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α); myogenic regulatory factors; 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG); ketones; nitrile; electrolytes; urea; uric acid; ammonia; lactic acid; cholesterol; triglycerides; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and cancer markers.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a reporting system capable of tracking marker concentration.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  further comprising a means for providing outputs, controls, and alerts.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the means for collecting a sample of a patient's breath provides end-tidal breath sample to the sensor.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the system is portable.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the system detects markers in the breath on an intermittent or continuous basis.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a system controller and a controlled supply means, wherein the system controller is connected to the processor and the controlled supply means is connected to the system controller, wherein, depending on the concentration of the endogenous compound in the patient, the system automatically dispenses a therapeutic drug from the controlled supply means.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the sensor technology detects glucose, wherein the controlled supply means consists of an IV bag containing insulin.  
     
     
         36 . An anesthetic agent delivery system for delivering a desired dose of anesthetic agent to a patient comprising: 
 an anesthetic supply having a controller for controlling the amount of anesthetic agent provided by the supply;    a breath analyzer for analyzing the patient's breath for concentration of at least one substance indicative of the anesthetic agent concentration in the patient's bloodstream that provides a signal to indicate the anesthetic agent concentration delivered to the patient; and    a system controller connected to the anesthetic supply which receives the signal and controls the amount of anesthetic agent based on the signal.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the breath analyzer comprises a collector for sampling the patient's expired breath, a sensor for analyzing the breath for concentration of at least one substance indicative of the anesthetic agent concentration, a processor for calculating the effect of the agent based on the concentration and determining depth of anesthesia.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the sensor is selected from semiconductor gas sensor technology or conductive polymer gas sensor technology.  
     
     
         39 . An anesthetic agent delivery and monitoring system for delivering balanced anesthesia to a patient through a breathing circuit and an IV comprising: 
 an anesthetic gas supply having a controller for controlling the amount of volatile anesthetic agent provided by the supply to the breathing circuit;    an intravenous anesthetic agent supply having a controller for controlling the amount of IV anesthetic agent administered to the patient intravenously;    an inspired gas analyzer for analyzing the concentration of anesthetic gas in the breathing circuit;    an expired gas analyzer for analyzing the patient's breath for concentration of at least one substance indicative of anesthetic agent concentrations in the patient's bloodstream that provides at least one signal to indicate the anesthetic agent concentration delivered to the patient; and    a system controller connected to each of the anesthetic supplies which receives the signal and controls the amount of anesthetic agents administered based on the signal.    
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the inspired gas analyzer and expired gas analyzer comprise a sensor for analyzing the gas for concentration of at least one substance indicative of the anesthetic agent concentration and a processor for calculating the effect of the agent based on the concentration and determining depth of anesthesia.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the sensor is selected from semiconductor gas sensor technology or conductive polymer gas sensor technology.  
     
     
         42 . An apparatus for administering balanced anesthesia to a patient comprising: 
 at least one supply of at least one intravenous anesthetic agent;    intravenous delivery means for controllably intravenously delivering said at least one intravenous anesthetic agent to the patent;    at least one supply of at least one inhalational anesthetic agent;    a breathing circuit for delivery of said inhalational anesthetic agent;    all inspired gas analyzer for analyzing gas in said breathing circuit for said inhalational agent;    an expired gas analyzer for analyzing the patient's breath for concentration of at least one substance indicative of anesthetic agents in the patient's bloodstream that provides a signal to indicate anesthetic agent concentration delivered to the patient;    a system controller connected to the intravenous delivery means which receives the signal and controls the amount of anesthetic agent based on the signal; and    a system controller connected to the breathing circuit which receives the signal and controls the amount of anesthetic agent based on the signal.    
     
     
         43 . A method of monitoring a patient during administration of at least one therapeutic drug, said method comprising: 
 administering to the patient at least one therapeutic drug;    exposing at least one sensor to expired gases from the patient;    detecting one or more target markers from the therapeutic drug with said sensor.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said target marker is the therapeutic drug.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said target marker is a metabolite of the therapeutic drug indicative of the therapeutic drug.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said target marker is selected from a group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetaldehyde, acetophenone, trans-Anethole (1-methoxy-4-propenyl benzene) (anise), benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde), benzyl alcohol, benzyl cinnamate, cadinene, camphene, camphor, cinnamaldehyde (3-phenylpropenal), garlic, citronellal, cresol, cyclohexane, eucalyptol, and eugenol, eugenyl methyl ether; butyl isobutyrate (n-butyl 2, methyl propanoate) (pineapple); citral (2-trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-actadiene-1-al); menthol (1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane-3-ol); and α-Pinene (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo-(3,1,1)-2-heptene).  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is administered to the patient orally.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is delivered intravenously.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the detecting step comprises detecting both presence and concentration of the target marker to determine at least one therapeutic drug concentration in blood.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising assigning a numerical value to the concentration as analyzed upon reaching a level of therapeutic effect of said therapeutic drug in said patient and, thereafter, assigning higher or lower values to the concentration based on its relative changes.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising monitoring the concentration by monitoring changes in said value and adjusting administration of the therapeutic drug to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising determining an appropriate dosage of at least one therapeutic drug based on the concentration of at least one target marker detected in said expired gases.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the steps are repeated periodically to monitor pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of at least one therapeutic drug over time.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drugs for depression.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is for analgesia.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is selected for the treatment of a condition selected from group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, angina, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, organ rejection, epilepsy, anxiety, degenerative arthritis, vasculitis, and inflammation.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the detecting is continuous.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the detecting is periodic.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of: α-Hydroxy-Alprazolam; Acecainide (NAPA); Acetaminophen (Tylenol); Acetylmorphine; Acetylsalicylic Acid (as Salicylates); α-hydroxy-alprazolam; Alprazolam (Xanax); Amantadine (Symmetrel); Ambien (Zolpidem); Amikacin (Amikin); Amiodarone (Cordarone); Amitriptyline (Elavil) & Nortriptyline; Amobarbital (Amytal); Anafranil (Clomipramine) & Desmethylclomipramine; Ativan (Lorazepam); Aventyl (Nortriptyline); Benadryl (Dephenhydramine); Benziodiazepines; Benzoylegonine; Benztropine (Cogentin); Bupivacaine (Marcaine); Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Hydroxybupropion; Butabarbital (Butisol); Butalbital (Fiorinal) Carbamazepine (Tegretol); Cardizem (Diltiazem); Carisoprodol (Soma) & Meprobamate; and Celexa (Citalopram & Desmethylcitalopram).  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of: Celontin (Methsuximide) (as desmethylmethsuximide); Centrax (Prazepam) (as Desmethyldiazepam); Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin); Chlordiazepoxide; Chlorpromazine (Thorazine); Chlorpropamide (Diabinese); Clonazepam (Klonopin); Clorazepate (Tranxene); Clozapine; Cocaethylene.; Codeine; Cogentin (Benztropine); Compazine (Prochlorperazine); Cordarone (Amiodarone); Coumadin (Warfarin); Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); Cyclosporine (Sandimmune); Cylert (Pemoline); Dalimane (Flurazepam) & Desalkylflurazepam; Darvocet; Darvon (Propoxyphene) & Norpropoxyphene; Demerol (Meperidine) & Nomeperidine; Depakene (Valproic Acid); Depakote (Divalproex) (Measured as Valproic Acid); Desipramine (Norpramin); Desmethyldiazepam; Desyrel (Trazodone); Diazepam & Desmethyldiazepam; Diazepam (Valium) Desmethyldiazepam; Dieldrin; Digoxin (Lanoxin); Dilantin (Phenytoin); Disopyramide (Norpace); Dolophine (Methadone); Doriden (Glutethimide); Doxepin (Sinequan) and Desmethyldoxepin; Effexor (Venlafaxine); Ephedrine; Equanil (Meprobamate) Ethanol; Ethosuximide (Zarontin); Ethotoin (Peganone); Felbamate (Felbatol); Fentanyl (Innovar); Fioricet; Fipronil; Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol); Floxetine (Prozac) & Norfluoxetine; Fluphenaziine (Prolixin); Fluvoxamine (Luvox); Gabapentin (Neurontin); Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB); Garamycin (Gentamicin); Gentamicin (Garamycin); Halazepam (Paxipam); Halcion (Triazolam); Haldol (Haloperidol); Hydrocodone (Hycodam); Hydroxyzine (Vistaril); Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Rufen); Imipramine (Tofranil) and Desipramine; Inderal (Propramolol); Keppra (Levetiracetam); Ketamine; Lamotrigine (Lamietal); Lanoxin (Digoxin); Lidocaine (Xylocaine); Lindane (Gamma-BUC); Lithium); Lopressor (Meloprolol); Lorazepam (Ativan); and Ludiomil.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of: Maprotiline; Mebaral (Mephobarbital) & Phenobarbital; Mellaril (Thioridazine) & Mesoridazine; Mephenytoin (Mesantoin); Meprobamate (Miltown, Equanil); Mesanton (Mephenytoin); Mesoridazine (Serentil); Methadone; Methotrexate (Mexate); Methsuximide (Celontin) (as desmethsuximide); Mexiletine (Mexitil); Midazolam (Versed); Mirtazpine (Remeron); Mogadone (Nitrazpam); Molindone (Moban); Morphine; Mysoline (Primidone) & Phenobarbital; NAPA & Procainamide (Pronestyl); NAPA (N-Acetyl-Procainamide); Navane (Thiothixene); Nebein (Tobramycin); Nefazodone (Serzone); Nembutal (Pentobarbital); Nordiazepam; Olanzapine (Zyprexa); Opiates; Orinase (Tolbutamide); Oxazepam (Serax); Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) as 10-Hydroxyoxcarbazepine; Oxycodone (Percodan); Oxymorphone (Numorphan); Pamelor (Nortriptyline); Paroxetine (Paxil); Paxil (Paroxetine); Paxipam (Halazepam); Peganone (Ethotoin); PEMA (Phenylethylmalonamide); Pentothal (Thiopental); Perphenazine (Trilafon); Phenergan (Promethazine); Phenothiazine; Phentermine; Phenylglyoxylic Acid; Procainamide (Proneslyl) & NAPA; Promazine (Sparine); Propafenone (Rythmol); Protriptyline (Vivactyl); Pseudoephedrine; Quctiapine (Seroquel); Restoril (Temazepam); Rispertlal (Risperidone) and Hydroxyrisperidone; Secobarbital (Seconal); Sertraline (Zoloft) & Desmethylsertraline; Stelazine (Trifluoperazine); Surmontil (Trimipramine); Tocainide (Tonocard); and Topamax (Topiramate).  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of: metal-insulator-metal ensemble (MIME) sensors, cross-reactive opitical microsensor arrays, fluorescent polymer films, surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), diode lasers, selected ion flow tubes, metal oxide sensors (MOS), bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors, colorimetric tubes, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, semiconductive gas sensor technology; mass spectrometers, fluorescent spectrophotometers, conductive polymer gas sensor technology; aptamer sensor technology; or amplifying fluorescent polymer (AFP) sensor technology.  
     
     
         63 . The method or  claim 62  wherein the sensor technology produces a unique electronic fingerprint to characterize the detection and concentration of said at least one target marker.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising the step of recording data from said sensor.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising the step of transmitting data from said sensor.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising comparing at least one target marker detected with a predetermined signature profile.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising capturing a sample of expired gases prior to exposing said sensor to expired gases.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising dehumidifying expired gases prior to exposing said sensor to expired gases.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising exposing said sensor to expired gases during exhalation of the patient's breath.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising assigning a numerical value to the concentration as analyzed upon reaching a level of anesthetic effect in said patient and, thereafter, assigning higher or lower values to the concentration based on its relative changes.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said sensor is portable.  
     
     
         72 . A therapeutic drug delivery and monitoring system for delivering an appropriate dosage of the therapeutic drug to a patient: 
 at least one therapeutic drug supply having a controller for controlling the amount of therapeutic drug provided by the supply to the patient;    an expired gas sensor for analyzing the patient's breath for the presence and concentration of at least one target marker indicative of therapeutic drug concentrations in the patient's bloodstream, and for sending a signal regarding the concentration of the therapeutic drug in the patient's bloodstream; and    a system controller connected to the therapeutic drug supply, which receives and analyzes the signal from the sensor and controls the amount of therapeutic drug administered to the patient based on the signal.    
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72  wherein the expired gas sensor comprise a sensor for analyzing the gas for concentration of at least one target marker indicative of the therapeutic drug concentration in the patient's bloodstream and a processor for calculating the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effect of the therapeutic drug based on the concentration of the therapeutic drug.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of: metal-insulator-metal ensemble (MIME) sensors, cross-reactive optical microsensor arrays, fluorescent polymer films, surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), diode lasers, selected ion flow tubes, metal oxide sensors (MOS), bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors, colorimetric tubes, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, semiconductive gas sensor technology; mass spectrometers, spectrophotometers, conductive polymer gas sensor technology; aptamer sensor technology; or amplifying fluorescent polymer (AFP) sensor technology.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 43  wherein at least one therapeutic drug is a psychiatric drug.  
     
     
         76 . The method, according to  claim 75 , wherein at least one therapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of: antidepressants, anti-psychotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and depressants.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a specific phase of the respiratory cycle from which the sample of expired breath is taken.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein technology is used in the step for determining the specific phase of the respiratory cycle, said technology is selected from the group consisting of: viscosity sensors; flow sensors; pressure sensors; humidity sensors; temperature sensors; and gas sensors.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the technology is selected from the group consisting of: CO 2  sensors; O 2  sensors; and NO sensors.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the sample of breath is from the initial phase or end-tidal phase.  
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising technology for determining a specific phase of the respiratory cycle from which the sample of breath is collected.  
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein said technology is selected from the group consisting of: viscosity sensors; flow sensors; pressure sensors; humidity sensors; temperature sensors; and gas sensors.  
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the technology is selected from the group consisting of: CO 2  sensors; O 2  sensors; and NO sensors.  
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the sample of breath is collected from the initial phase or end-tidal phase.  
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 36 , further comprising technology for determining a specific phase of the respiratory cycle from which the sample of breath is collected.  
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein said technology is selected from the group consisting of: viscosity sensors; flow sensors; pressure sensors; humidity sensors; temperature sensors; and gas sensors.  
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the technology is selected from the group consisting of: CO 2  sensors; O 2  sensors; and NO sensors.  
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the sample of breath is collected from the initial phase or end-tidal phase.  
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising technology for determining a specific phase of the respiratory cycle from which the sample of breath is collected.  
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein said technology is selected from the group consisting of: viscosity sensors; flow sensors; pressure sensors; humidity sensors; temperature sensors; and as sensors.  
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 90 , wherein the technology is selected from the group consisting of: CO 2  sensors; O 2  sensors; and NO sensors.  
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the sample of breath is collected from the initial phase or end-tidal phase.  
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising technology for determining a specific phase of the respiratory cycle from which the sample of breath is collected.  
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 93 , wherein said technology is selected from the group consisting of: viscosity sensors; flow sensors; pressure sensors; humidity sensors; temperature sensors; and gas sensors.  
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 94 , wherein the technology is selected from the group consisting of: CO 2  sensors; O 2  sensors; and NO sensors.  
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 93 , wherein the sample of breath is collected from the initial phase or end-tidal phase.