Flow regulation device for breath analysis and related method

Abstract

A breath capture device for determining the concentration of acetone in a breath sample from a user. In some embodiments, the device includes a controller programmed to use stored data to control flow of a breath sample into an analysis chamber as the user exhales into a port. In other embodiments, the device includes a switch responsive to an action by the user that is operable between a first orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a second flow path and a second orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path. In still other embodiments, the device includes a flow regulator both responsive to user action and operable from a first position in which breath entering a port preferentially travels through a second flow path to a second position in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path.

1 . A breath capture device for collecting a breath sample from a user, comprising:
 an influent flow port;   a flow path coupled to the influent flow port, the flow path comprising a chamber;   a memory configured to store data based on at least one characteristic of the user, the data generated before the user exhales the breath sample into the device; and   a controller programmed to use the data stored in the memory to control the flow of a portion of the breath sample into the chamber as the user exhales the breath sample into the influent flow port.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is a duration of time for the user to exhale. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is an age of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is a height of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is a lung capacity of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is a sex of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to control the flow of air through a valve. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to use an output of a sensor that senses a characteristic of the breath sample to control the flow of breath. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to generate the data by monitoring at least one exhalation of the user prior to the user exhaling the breath sample. 
     
     
         10 . A portable breath analysis device, comprising:
 a breath input port fluidly coupled to a valve;   a first conduit that extends downstream to an exhaust portion of the device;   a second conduit that extends downstream to a capture chamber; and   a controller programmed to actuate the valve during exhalation of a breath sample to cause a first portion of the breath sample to be routed through the first conduit and out of the device and to cause a second portion of the breath sample to be routed through the second conduit into the capture chamber;   wherein the controller is programmed to implement a process that comprises:
 during a first exhalation by a user, recording data regarding at least one exhalation characteristic of the user; and 
 during a second exhalation by the user, actuating the valve at a point in time that is dependent upon the recorded data regarding the at least one exhalation characteristic of the user. 
   
     
     
         11 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the first exhalation is performed while the device is in a device configuration mode in which the device does not capture a portion of a breath sample in the capture chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the data regarding the at least one exhalation characteristic comprises an exhalation duration time. 
     
     
         13 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the device further includes a flow sensor, and the data regarding the at least one exhalation characteristic comprises a total exhalation volume. 
     
     
         14 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 13 , wherein actuating the valve comprises measuring a flow volume during the second exhalation, and actuating the valve when the flow volume reaches a selected fraction of the total exhalation volume. 
     
     
         15 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the point in time is selected such that the valve is actuated during an alveolar portion of the second exhalation. 
     
     
         16 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is programmed to select the point in time based on user exhalation characteristic data captured over a plurality of exhalations. 
     
     
         17 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is programmed to initiate valve actuation a selected time interval before a desired actuation point to account for valve actuation delay. 
     
     
         18 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 10 , wherein the capture chamber is a reaction chamber that includes a reactant. 
     
     
         19 . The portable breath analysis device of  claim 18 , wherein the device is a disposable cartridge that is configured for post-capture insertion into an analysis device that measures a color change occurring within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         20 . A method of breath sample capture, comprising:
 during a first exhalation by a user, recording, in a memory, data regarding at least one exhalation characteristic of the user; and   during a second exhalation by the user of a breath sample into a breath capture device, by a programmed controller of the breath capture device, actuating a valve of the breath capture device at a point in time that is dependent upon the recorded data regarding the at least one exhalation characteristic of the user, wherein the valve is initially in a state that causes exhaled breath to be vented from the breath capture device, and wherein the actuation of the valve causes a remaining portion of the breath sample to be routed to a capture chamber of the breath capture device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of breath sample capture of  claim 20 , wherein the first exhalation is into the breath capture device, and the breath capture device measures the at least one exhalation characteristic. 
     
     
         22 . The method of breath sample capture of  claim 20 , wherein the first exhalation is into a user profiling device that is separate from the breath capture device.