Sampling and storage registry device for breath gas analysis

Abstract

Methods and systems are described to obtain and analyze one or more gas samples from the breath of a person, and organizing the samples in a sample registry for subsequent analysis. This technique solves the various problems that are associated with targeting an individual breath for analysis, and allows for additional versatility and options in the analysis process.

1 . A breath sampling and analysis apparatus comprising:
 a sensor that detects a gas parameter for determining the start point and end point of different breath portions;   a pump that draws at least one gas sample from a person's breath; and   a sample compartment that stores breath portions each in separate physical locations.   
     
     
         2 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an analyzer that analyzes separately each of the stored breath portions for a parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sample compartment comprises a capillary channel in which the different breath portions occupy sections of volume of the channel, and wherein the sections are end to end. 
     
     
         4 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the separate physical locations comprises separate sample containers, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a manifold system to divert the different breath portions into the separate sample containers. 
     
     
         5 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the each sample container comprises a respective bypass tube and a respective sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the each sample container comprises a respective sensor, and wherein the apparatus comprises one bypass tube for all sample containers. 
     
     
         7 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus comprises one sensor for all sample containers and one bypass tube for all sample containers. 
     
     
         8 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the breath portions are from a single breath. 
     
     
         9 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the breath portions are from different breaths. 
     
     
         10 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an analyzer that analyzes one or more breath portions for a first parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the analyzer analyzes another one or more breath portions for a second parameter. 
     
     
         12 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an analyzer that analyze the breath portions together. 
     
     
         13 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an analyzer that analyzes the breath portions separately. 
     
     
         14 . The breath analysis apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor to identify a desired breath portion by receiving measurements of a breathing pattern characteristic, and wherein the sample compartment receives gas from the desired portion of the breath. 
     
     
         15 . A breath sampling and analysis apparatus comprising:
 a sensor that identifies the beginning and end of a breath, thereby dividing the breath pattern into different breath portions identifying the beginning and end of different breath portions;   a vacuum pump that draws a gas sample from a person's breath into at least one sample tube, the sample tube comprising gas from at least one breath and at least one breath portion; and   a computer to identify the location of gas in the sample tube corresponding to the beginning and end of the breath, and corresponding to the beginning and end of the breath portion.   
     
     
         16 . The breath analysis apparatus as in  claim 15 , further comprising an analyzer that analyzes the stored breath samples for a parameter. 
     
     
         17 . A method of analyzing one or more breaths, the method comprising:
 identifying one or more constituent portions of the one or more breaths;   storing the one or more breaths so the one or more constituent portions are not mixed;   identifying at least one of the one or more constituent portions for analysis; and   analyzing the at least one of the one or more constituent portions.   
     
     
         18 . A method of analyzing a breaths, the method comprising:
 storing the breath so that one or more constituent portions of the breath are not mixed; and   analyzing at least one of the one or more constituent portions.