Martek Limited

Martek Biosciences Corporation

Jacques J Delente

Paul Warren Behrens

Scot D Hoeksema

A simplified, user-friendly method and apparatus for collecting and storing a human breath sample and for detecting and indicating whether the stored breath sample is a true alveolar sample. The invention includes in one embodiment thereof a preferably transparent container and a breath delivery device for directing a subject's breath into the container. A closure device is provided for accommodating the insertion of the breath delivery device into the container and for substantially sealing the container. A detector is provided for being positioned within the sealed container for detecting and indicating to an observer whether the breath sample stored in the container is a true alveolar sample.

Apparatus and method for collecting, detecting and indicating true

A simplified, user-friendly method and apparatus for producing and collecting a human breath sample, and particularly alveolar air, for analysis of the constituent components thereof. The invention includes an elongated, hollow container and a breath delivery device for directing a subject's breath into the container. Closure means are provided for accommodating the insertion of the breath delivery device into the container and for substantially sealing the container. In one preferred embodiment, the closure means includes a flexible sealing element which allows the insertion and withdrawal of the breath delivery device and which forms a light interim seal at the opening of the hollow container while the opening is being positively sealed by the user. The volume of the container is small in comparison to the normal human breath which has the effect of purging the container of the initial breath portion and leaving primarily only the alveolar air.

Apparatus for collecting and storing human breath samples

A simplified, user-friendly method and apparatus for producing and collecting a human breath sample, and particularly alveolar air, for analysis of the constituent components thereof. The invention includes an elongated, hollow container and a breath delivery device for directing a subject's breath into the container. A closure device is provided for accommodating the insertion of the breath delivery device into the container and for substantially sealing the container. The volume of the container is small in comparison to the normal human breath which has the effect of purging the container of the initial breath portion and leaving primarily only the alveolar air.

Apparatus and method for collecting human breath samples

An apparatus is disclosed for the controlled production of microorganisms by photosynthesis in a closed photobioreactor. The closed photobioreactor contain a photosynthetic culture in a substantially sealed environment and provides a system for recirculating the reactant gas through the culture. This closed loop system can be operated with expensive carbon isotopes (i.e., .sup.13 CO.sub.2 or .sup.14 CO.sub.2). Also, a system is provided for removing the molecular oxygen produced in the photosynthesis reaction from the closed photobioreactor. Furthermore, a pH-regulated control valve is utilized for controlling the addition of reactant gas to the culture in response to the alkalization of the culture.

Closed photobioreactor and method of use

The present invention relates to a photobioreactor for the cultivation of photosynthetic micoorganisms having at least one light bank substantially totally immersible in the liquid microbial culture contained in the photobioreactor so that substantially all of the emitted light is absorbed in the culture. The light bank comprises a plurality of light tubes in substantially close proximity to each other, electrical leads extending from the light tubes to a source of electric power and an enclosure means enclosing at least the portions of the electrical leads into the lead tubes to render such points impervious to the liquid microbial culture. The light bank serves as a light source as well as may be arranged to form channels for the circulation of the liquid culture within the photobioreactor.

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Kensington, MD, United States of America

Jacques J Delente