Patent attributes
A pump-less breath analysis device regulates the flow of breath past a nanoparticle sensor (or other semiconductor sensor) by dynamically adjusting the state or position of a valve as the user exhales into the device. The valve controls the flow of incoming breath between two flow paths: a venting path through which breath exits the device without passing by the nanoparticle sensor, and a sensing path that includes the nanoparticle sensor. In some embodiments, the valve is controlled by a processor that monitors pressure produced by the user's exhalation force. Based on these real-time pressure measurements, the processor adjusts the valve to maintain the pressure, and thus the flow rate, in the sensing path within a desired range. The processor may also use the pressure measurements to determine whether the characteristics of the user's exhalation are sufficient to generate a valid measurement.
