Breath delivery system and method

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention provide a mouthpiece for use with an electronic analyzer for breath analyte detection in an individual. The mouthpiece includes a biosensor and a hydration system. The biosensor includes a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place and the hydration system delivers a liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction. The mouthpiece further includes hardware to transmit breath analyte data.

1 . A mouthpiece for use with an electronic analyzer for breath analyte detection in an individual, the mouthpiece comprising:
 a biosensor that detects breath analytes, the biosensor including a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place;   a hydration system that delivers a liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction; and   hardware that transmits breath analyte data to the electronic analyzer.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system includes a sack filled with the liquid and at least one of a syringe, a pin, and a roller to puncture the sack to deliver the liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system includes a pump assembly to deliver the liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthpiece of  claim 3  wherein the pump assembly can be coupled to the electronic analyzer. 
     
     
         5 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system includes at least one of a syringe, a sponge, a capillary tube, a nanotube, a polymer, and a wetting pull strip. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system delivers the liquid to the chemically active area by at least one of depositing the liquid directly above the chemically active area, depositing the liquid a distance away from the chemically active area, wherein capillary action brings the liquid to the chemically active area, and depositing the liquid below the chemically active area, wherein wetting action brings the liquid to the chemically active area. 
     
     
         7 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system is manually activated. 
     
     
         8 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the hydration system is automatically activated. 
     
     
         9 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the liquid is at least one of water, an acid, a base, a hydrogel, a salt solution, and a neutral buffer. 
     
     
         10 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the liquid contains polymers. 
     
     
         11 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein a volume of the liquid is about 0.05 micro-liters to about 100 micro-liters. 
     
     
         12 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  wherein the viscosity of the liquid is about 0.1 centipoise to about 200,000 centipoise. 
     
     
         13 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  and further comprising a chamber housing the biosensor, an inlet receiving the individual's breath into the chamber, and an outlet exhausting the individual's breath out of the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11  and further comprising a valve positioned in at least one of the inlet and the outlet in order to isolate the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11  and further comprising a baffle positioned in at least one of the inlet and the outlet in order to modify flow of the individual's breath. 
     
     
         16 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1  and further comprising a heater positioned near the biosensor in order to facilitate the chemical reaction. 
     
     
         17 . A breath analyte detection system comprising:
 a mouthpiece including a biosensor capable of detecting breath analytes, the biosensor including a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place;   a hydration system providing liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction;   hardware to transmit breath analyte data; and   a portable electronic device capable of receiving the breath analyte data, the portable electronic device capable of at least one of storing, analyzing, and transmitting the breath analyte data.   
     
     
         18 . A mouthpiece for use with an electronic analyzer for analyl.e detection, the mouthpiece comprising:
 a biosensor including a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place, the biosensor capable of detecting analytes in at least one of breath, saliva, urine, eye vapor, milk and blood; and   a hydration system providing liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction.   
     
     
         19 . A mouthpiece for use in breath analyte detection, the mouthpiece comprising:
 a biosensor capable of detecting breath analytes, the biosensor including a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place;   a hydration system providing liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction;   an additional sensor capable of detecting additional parameters; and   hardware to transmit breath analyte data and the additional parameters.   
     
     
         20 . The mouthpiece of  claim 19  wherein the additional sensor is at least one of a liquid sensor, a gas flow sensor, a humidity sensor, and a gas sensor. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)