Apparatus and method for diagnostic gas analysis

Abstract

A handheld, small but accurate and reliable device for diagnostic NO measurements using a NO sensor, where the parameters governing the taking of the sample are different from the parameters optimal for the accuracy of said NO sensor. By temporarily storing a portion of the exhaled air, and feeding this to the sensor at a flow rate adapted to the NO sensor, the accuracy and sensitivity of a system/method involving NO sensors, in particular electrochemical NO sensors, can be increased. The method for diagnostic NO measurements comprises steps for controlling the inhalation of NO free air, as well as the exhalation, both by built-in means and by audible and/or visual feedback to the patient.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for processing measured exhaled NO concentration, comprising:
 collecting a sample of exhaled air during an exhalation performed by a person at a controlled flow rate and pressure with a device that includes an NO sensor and a pump or a fan;   feeding the collected sample with the pump or the fan to the NO sensor at a flow rate suitable for said sensor, the feeding performed for a duration longer than the duration of said exhalation;   determining an NO concentration in said sample; and   relaying the measured NO concentration to at least one external unit using one of a memory card, microprocessor card, smartcard, wireless communication, a conventional serial port and a parallel port.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one external unit comprises external software. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the measured NO concentration is stored as data. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said data comprises patient information. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the patient information further comprises at least one of a patient identification, a date and time of measurement, a measured FE NO , a sensor ID number, a device ID number, a disease input, a comfort level input, a medication parameter, and an error list. 
     
     
         6 . A method for measuring the concentration of exhaled NO, comprising :
 collecting a sample of exhaled air at a first preset flow rate and pressure with a device that includes an NO sensor and a pump or a fan,   feeding said sample with the pump or the fan to said NO sensor at a second preset flow rate and pressure suitable for said sensor,   determining an NO concentration in said air sample, and   relaying the NO concentration to at least one external unit using one of a memory card, microprocessor card, smartcard, wireless communication, a conventional serial port and a parallel port.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one external unit comprises external software. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the measured NO concentration is stored as data. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said data comprises patient information. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the patient information further comprises at least one of a patient identification, a date and time of measurement, a measured FE NO , a sensor ID number, a device ID number, a disease input, a comfort level input, a medication parameter, and an error list. 
     
     
         11 . A method for analyzing the concentration of exhaled NO, comprising :
 collecting a sample of exhaled air at a first preset flow rate and pressure with a device that includes an NO sensor and a pump or a fan,   feeding said sample with the pump or the fan to said NO sensor at a second preset flow rate and pressure suitable for said sensor,   determining an NO concentration in said air sample, and   relaying the NO concentration to at least one external unit using one of a memory card, microprocessor card, smartcard, wireless communication, a conventional serial port and a parallel port.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one external unit comprises external software. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the measured NO concentration is stored as data. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said data comprises patient information. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the patient information further comprises at least one of a patient identification, a date and time of measurement, a measured FE NO , a sensor ID number, a device ID number, a disease input, a comfort level input, a medication parameter, and an error list.