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Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement with a handheld device

Erhard Magori1, Karsten Hiltawsky2, Maximilian Fleischer1, Elfriede Simon1, Roland Pohle1, Oliver von Sicard1 and Angelika Tawil1

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A sensing system for fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement is presented, which is characterized by a compact setup and a cost potential to be made available for the patient at home. The sensing is based on the work function measurement of a phthalocyanine-type sensing material, which is shown to be sufficiently sensitive for NO2 in the ppb range. The transducer used to measure the work function is a field effect transistor with a suspended gate electrode. Selectivity is given with respect to other breath components including typically metabolic by-products. The measurement system includes breath treatments in a simple setup, which essentially are dehumidification and a quantitative conversion of NO to NO2 with a conversion rate of approx. 95%, using a disposable oxidation catalyst. The accomplishment of the correct exhalation maneuver and feeding of the suited portion of exhaled air to the sensor is provided by breath sampling means. The sensor is not gas consuming. This allows us to fill the measurement chamber once, instead of establishing a gas flow for the measurement. This feature simplifies the device architecture. In this paper, we report on sensor characteristics, system architecture and measurement with artificial breath-gas as well as with human breath with the device.


PACS

87.80.-y Biophysical techniques (research methods)

47.63.Ec Pulmonary fluid mechanics

87.19.X- Diseases

87.19.U- Hemodynamics

85.30.Tv Field effect devices

Subjects

Fluid dynamics

Electronics and devices

Semiconductors

Instrumentation and measurement

Medical physics

Biological physics

Dates

Issue 2 (June 2011)

Received 18 November 2010, accepted for publication 16 May 2011

Published 6 June 2011



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