US3852036A - Breath testing system - Google Patents
Breath testing system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3852036A US3852036A US00213141A US21314171A US3852036A US 3852036 A US3852036 A US 3852036A US 00213141 A US00213141 A US 00213141A US 21314171 A US21314171 A US 21314171A US 3852036 A US3852036 A US 3852036A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- breath
- alcohol
- sample
- bridge
- catalytic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
- G01N33/497—Physical analysis of biological material of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
- G01N33/4972—Determining alcohol content
Definitions
- ABSTRACT An alcoholic breath analyzer is disclosed which responds only to alcohol content of a subjects breath. It is immune to other breath constituents, such as water and carbon dioxide, that have adversely affected certain types of prior breath analyzers and led to false test results.
- This immunity is achieved by a modified wheatstone bridge type alcohol detector having identical heated catalytic resistance elements in two of its adjacent legs. One breath sample, from the person being tested, is supplied directly to one of the catalytic resistance legs while another sample is simultaneously channeled, via a series-connected alcohol removal stage, to the other such leg. In this way, the two breath samples reaching the bridge are the same except for alcohol content and any effects of the non-alcohol constituents are neutralized or balanced out in the two catalytic legs. The resistance of the catalytic leg receiving the alcohol changes in response to that alcohol, thereby unbalancing the bridge and producing an output information signal the amplitude of which accurately represents the breath alcohol concentration.
- one of the legs adjacent to the catalytic leg is usually formed of a non-catalyst but otherwise identical resistance element and both of the resistance elements are simultaneously exposed to the same breath sample. With that arrangement, any change in either the catalytic or non-catalytic leg is balanced out by an equal and compensating change in the other leg. In the absence of such compensation erroneous test results would manifest. Of course, as in any wheatstone bridge current changes due to power supply variations are also cancelled out.
- the present invention constitutes a significant improvement over all prior bridge type alcohol detectors since its operation is effectively immune to breath constituents such as water and carbon dioxide and provides test results that reflect only the breath alcohol concentration.
- the breath testing system herein disclosed performs a considerably more accurate test than any previ ous bridge type alcohol detector.
- a breath testing system constructed in accordance with the invention, comprises breath receiving apparatus for providing first and second identical samples of breath received from a subject to be tested.
- an alcohol detector which includes a normally-balanced wheatstone bridge having first and second identical heated catalyst resistance elements in respective ones of two of its adjacent legs. Means are included for supplying the first sample directly to the first catalyst resistance element. There are also means for simultaneously supplying the second sample through an alcohol removal stage to the second catalyst resistance element. The bridge unbalances in response to the presence .of alcohol in the firstsample and in so doing produces an output information signal indicative of the breath alcohol concentration.
- An output apparatus such as a meter, utilizes the information signal. Any response in one of the resistance elements to a non-alcohol breath constituent will be canceled by a similar response in the other element.
- FIG- URE is a diagram, partly in block form and partly in schematic, of a breath testing system constructed in accordance-with one embodiment of the invention.
- Apparatus 10 develops, in response to breath received from a subject being tested, a pair of identical samples of that breath at respective ones of outputs 11 and 12.
- Apparatus 10 may take any suitable construction to facilitate the receipt of breath blown or exhaled by the subject and to deliver identical samples of that received breath to outputs l1 and 12, the unused breath being vented or dumped to the atmosphere.
- One example of an appropriate form for apparatus 10 is found in copending application Ser. No. 136,778, filed Apr. 23, 1971 in the names of Donald W. Collier, Joseph P. Hoppesch and Anthony C. Mamo, and issued Oct. 9, 1973 as US. Pat. No. 3,764,270.
- the breath receiving apparatus illustrated and described in that copending application has only one output and thus provides only one breath sample. However, it may very easily be modified to have two outputs in order to simultaneously produce the two identical sample needed in the disclosed breath taking system.
- apparatus 10 preferably includes an appropriate control device to make certain that the identical output samples constitute deep lung breath. Suitable control equipment to perform that functionis also illustrated and described in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. l36,778. There, a breath sample is not produced at the output of the breath receiving apparatus until a continuous uninterrupted breath flow has occurred for a predetermined period, such as five seconds. A sample taken at the end of a five-second period of uninterrupted blowing or exhaling constitutes deep lung breath, from which an accurate reading of blood alcohol level may be inferred as is well known in the art.
- breath receiving apparatus l0 may include a series of heaters and temperature sensors to insure accurate testing under extreme conditions of use.
- the alcohol concentration in the deep lung breath sampled is determined by an alcohol detector ⁇ 15 which includes a normally-balanced wheatstone bridge 16 having a pair of identical heated catalyst resistance elements l7 and 18 in respective ones of two of its adjacent legs and a pair of simple, equal size resistors 21 and 22 in the other two adjacent legs.
- each of elements 17, 18 constitutes a catalytic coated ceramic bead containing a resistance wire.
- Bridge junction 23 connects to the positive terminal 24 of a source of DC operating potential, while junction 25 is connected to the negative terminal 26 of that potential source. Direct current therefore flows from positive terminal 24 to negative terminal 26 through two parallel paths one provided by legs 17 and 18 and the other by legs 21 and 22.
- a breath sample emanating at output 11 is conveyed to and passes over catalytic element 17.
- the counterpart identical sample produced at output 12 is delivered through a channel 32 to an alcohol removal stage or eliminator 33, the output of which is supplied via a channel 34 to catalytic element 18.
- Stage 33 may take any of a variety of appropriate forms. Preferably, it merely constitutes a heated platinum wire. Stage 33 removes only the alcohol from the sample produced at output 12 in order that element 18 will receive a breath sample identical to that received by element 17 with the sole exception of the alcohol constituent. In this way, if there is any water and carbon dioxide in the sample reaching element 17, those same constituents will contact element 18.
- any response of element 17 to the water and carbon dioxide will be balanced out by an equal response by element 18.
- the temperature of element 17 is likely to increase (probably due to absorption) and this will cause the resistance of the. element to increase.
- element 18 will react in the same fashion as a consequence of which the resistances of elements 17 and 18 remain equal to each other, thereby maintaining the bridge in a balanced condition.
- the bridge becomes unbalanced if alcohol is present in the subjects breath inasmuch as the alcohol constituent is conveyed only to catalytic element 17.
- the alcohol oxidizes as it passes over that element and the heat of oxidation causes the temperature and thus the resistance of element 17 to increase to an extent directly proportional to the alcohol level or concentration. Since the alcohol constituent is prevented by alcohol eliminator 33 from reaching element 18, the resistance of that element remains unchanged. With unequal resistances in legs 17 and 18, the voltage drops in those legs will be unequal as a result of which junction 28 will be established at a voltage different from that at junction 29.
- An output information signal is thus provided between junctions 28 and 29 for application to output utilizing apparatus 37, the amplitude or magnitude of that signal being directly proportional to and representing the breath alcohol concentration.
- Output utilizing apparatus 37 may include a meter which effectively measures the information signal amplitude, thereby providing a visual display of the alcohol concentration in the tested breath sample.
- the output apparatus can be a simple bulb energized when the information signal exceeds a predetermined threshold amplitude level.
- Apparatus 37 may take any of a variety of different forms since there are many devices that may be controlled by an electrical signal whose amplitude signifies the alcohol level of a person's breath.
- an amplifier may be interposed between alcohol detector 15 and apparatus 37 so that the information signal may be amplified before it is applied to the output utilizing apparatus.
- N0 amplifier is illustrated in order to simplify the drawing as much as possible.
- the invention may be embodied in alcohol detector bridge circuits other than wheatstone bridges.
- the bridge circuit may include alcohol sensing elements other than heated catalyst resistance elements.
- the invention may be incorporated in alcohol detectors of the ionization type or semiconductor type.
- the invention provides, therefore, an improved bridge type breath analyzer which responds only to alcohol content to develop an output information signal truly representative of that alcohol content. It is effectively unresponsive to water and carbon dioxide which in the past have deleteriously affected the operation of such breath analyzers.
- a breath testing system for determining breath alcohol concentration comprising:
- breath receiving apparatus for providing first and second substantially identical samples of deep lung breath received from a person whose breath includes alcohol, water and carbon dioxide;
- an alcohol detector including a normally-balanced
- four-legged wheatstone bridge having first and second substantially identical catalyst resistance elements in respective ones of two adjacent legs of the wheatstone bridge and a pair of equal resistors in respective ones of the other two adjacent legs of the bridge;
- an alcohol removal stage including a heated platinum wire
- said first catalyst resistance element responding to the presence of alcohol in said first sample to effect unbalancing of said wheatstone bridge, an output information signal being produced by said bridge having an amplitude directly proportional to and representing the alcohol concentration of said first sample, any effect on said first catalyst resistance element from the water and carbon dioxide in said first sample being balanced by a similar effect on said second catalyst resistance element from the water and carbon dioxide in said second sample, and a meter controlled by and responsive to the amplitude of said information signal to provide a visual display of the alcohol level in the breath under test.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Fluid Adsorption Or Reactions (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (1)
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US00213141A US3852036A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1971-12-28 | Breath testing system |
CA155,653A CA967394A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-11-06 | Breath testing system |
GB5176972A GB1338730A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-11-09 | Breath testing system |
AU48790/72A AU469363B2 (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-11-13 | Breath testing system |
DE19722257486 DE2257486B2 (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-11-23 | DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE BREATHING ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION |
IT32125/72A IT971238B (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-11-27 | BREATH ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT |
JP47121708A JPS4877895A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-12-06 | |
FR7246717A FR2166149B1 (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1972-12-28 |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US00213141A US3852036A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1971-12-28 | Breath testing system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3852036A true US3852036A (en) | 1974-12-03 |
Family
ID=22793890
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00213141A Expired - Lifetime US3852036A (en) | 1971-12-28 | 1971-12-28 | Breath testing system |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3852036A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS4877895A (en) |
AU (1) | AU469363B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA967394A (en) |
DE (1) | DE2257486B2 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2166149B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1338730A (en) |
IT (1) | IT971238B (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2364778A (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2002-02-06 | Hypoguard Ltd | Detection of Helicobacter pylori and apparatus therefor |
US6509169B2 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2003-01-21 | University Of West England, Bristol | Detection of Helicobacter pylori |
US20120065534A1 (en) * | 2010-09-03 | 2012-03-15 | AMDT Inc. | Diagnostic nanosensor device and method for breath analysis |
US9678058B2 (en) | 2010-09-03 | 2017-06-13 | Anastasia Rigas | Diagnostic method and breath testing device |
US10401318B2 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2019-09-03 | Anastasia Rigas | Breath analyzer and breath test methods |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2310472A (en) * | 1940-10-12 | 1943-02-09 | Cities Service Oil Co | Gas analyzer |
US3076697A (en) * | 1959-09-11 | 1963-02-05 | Miller Joseph | Analyzer for determining concentration of combustibles in gases |
US3464797A (en) * | 1966-10-26 | 1969-09-02 | Cabot Corp | Instrument for determining ozone |
US3558283A (en) * | 1967-06-09 | 1971-01-26 | Mine Safety Appliances Co | Determination of reactive hydrocarbons in air |
US3558279A (en) * | 1967-06-20 | 1971-01-26 | Ionics | Electrochemical sensor device |
US3600134A (en) * | 1968-04-11 | 1971-08-17 | Corning Glass Works | Method for the determination of alcohol and other oxidizable organic compounds in respired air and body fluids |
-
1971
- 1971-12-28 US US00213141A patent/US3852036A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1972
- 1972-11-06 CA CA155,653A patent/CA967394A/en not_active Expired
- 1972-11-09 GB GB5176972A patent/GB1338730A/en not_active Expired
- 1972-11-13 AU AU48790/72A patent/AU469363B2/en not_active Expired
- 1972-11-23 DE DE19722257486 patent/DE2257486B2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1972-11-27 IT IT32125/72A patent/IT971238B/en active
- 1972-12-06 JP JP47121708A patent/JPS4877895A/ja active Pending
- 1972-12-28 FR FR7246717A patent/FR2166149B1/fr not_active Expired
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2310472A (en) * | 1940-10-12 | 1943-02-09 | Cities Service Oil Co | Gas analyzer |
US3076697A (en) * | 1959-09-11 | 1963-02-05 | Miller Joseph | Analyzer for determining concentration of combustibles in gases |
US3464797A (en) * | 1966-10-26 | 1969-09-02 | Cabot Corp | Instrument for determining ozone |
US3558283A (en) * | 1967-06-09 | 1971-01-26 | Mine Safety Appliances Co | Determination of reactive hydrocarbons in air |
US3558279A (en) * | 1967-06-20 | 1971-01-26 | Ionics | Electrochemical sensor device |
US3600134A (en) * | 1968-04-11 | 1971-08-17 | Corning Glass Works | Method for the determination of alcohol and other oxidizable organic compounds in respired air and body fluids |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2364778A (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2002-02-06 | Hypoguard Ltd | Detection of Helicobacter pylori and apparatus therefor |
US6509169B2 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2003-01-21 | University Of West England, Bristol | Detection of Helicobacter pylori |
US20120065534A1 (en) * | 2010-09-03 | 2012-03-15 | AMDT Inc. | Diagnostic nanosensor device and method for breath analysis |
US9678058B2 (en) | 2010-09-03 | 2017-06-13 | Anastasia Rigas | Diagnostic method and breath testing device |
US10401318B2 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2019-09-03 | Anastasia Rigas | Breath analyzer and breath test methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT971238B (en) | 1974-04-30 |
GB1338730A (en) | 1973-11-28 |
DE2257486B2 (en) | 1976-10-21 |
CA967394A (en) | 1975-05-13 |
AU469363B2 (en) | 1976-02-12 |
DE2257486A1 (en) | 1973-07-12 |
FR2166149B1 (en) | 1974-01-04 |
JPS4877895A (en) | 1973-10-19 |
FR2166149A1 (en) | 1973-08-10 |
AU4879072A (en) | 1974-05-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: 677491 ONTARIO, LTD., 1765 SHAWSON DRIVE, MISSISSA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS INC.;REEL/FRAME:004611/0156 Effective date: 19860815 Owner name: 677491 ONTARIO, LTD., 1765 SHAWSON DRIVE, MISSISSA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS INC.;REEL/FRAME:004611/0156 Effective date: 19860815 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS CORP. Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:677491 ONTARIO, LTD.;REEL/FRAME:004701/0946 Effective date: 19861209 Owner name: ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS CORP.,STATELESS Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:677491 ONTARIO, LTD.;REEL/FRAME:004701/0946 Effective date: 19861209 |