Pranalytica, Inc.

University of California

C Kumar Patel

L Ravi Narasimhan

A system for collecting gas samples emitted from skin and detecting concentrations of specified components therein. The system includes a collection chamber housing defining an interior space, the collection chamber housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an opening. The opening is configured for enclosing a skin portion from which to receive an emitted gas sample and sealing the interior space against the skin portion. An inert gas source is connected to the gas inlet, which is capable of allowing inert gas from the inert gas source to flow into the interior space. A gas cell is connected to the gas outlet, which is capable of allowing the inert gas and the gas sample to flow from the interior space into the gas cell. As a laser travels through the gas cell, power and optoacoustic signals are measured and used to determine a concentration of the specified component.

Diagnostic method for high sensitivity detection of component concentrations in human gas emission

A method for detecting component concentrations in human gas emissions such as breath and gas emitted from skin. A gas sample containing a specified component is collected into a gas cell using a pump and a series of valves to draw the gas sample into the cell and control the gas pressure within the cell. A tunable optical radiation beam is passed through the gas cell and the amount of energy absorbed by the specified component may be measured indirectly by taking the difference between the incident and emerging beam energy or directly by optoacoustic methods. Concentrations of the specified component as small as 0.1 ppB may be determined. Additionally, the tunable optical radiation beam may be multiplexed for use with a plurality of systems utilizing the beam for medical purposes.

Diagnostic method for high sensitivity detection of component concentrations in human gas emissions

A method for preventing explosions in closed tanks which hold flammable liquids and flammable vapors and air above these liquid fuels comprising filling the ullage with a pressurized gas which not only excludes oxygen from the ullage but also prevents transmission of fire initiating sparks. The method further comprises filling the ullage with an electronegative gas alone or in combination with an inert gas or gases. More specifically, the preferred electronegative gas is sulfur hexafluoride (SF.sub.6) which may also be used in combination with CO.sub.2 and/or N.sub.2. More particularly, the method is directed to the prevention of explosions in aircraft fuel tanks.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

C Kumar Patel