Owlstone Medical Limited

Owlstone Limited

Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.

Kidde IP Holdings Limited

Owlstone Nanotech Inc

Owlstone Medcial Limited

Max D Allsworth

Matthew Hart

John Matthew Somerville

Alastair Taylor

Andrew H Koehl

Jonathan Pearson

Daniel Melhirst

Ashley Wilks

Stephen Hartwell

Antoni Negri

Danielle Toutoungi

Rob Smith

Jeremy Spinks

Jasper Boschmans

Martin Holden

Simon Kitchen

Alison Hart

Mike Black

Iva Manasi

Duncan Apthorp

Richard Orrell

Marc Van Der Schee

Jon Pearson

Joseph V Mantese

Marcin Piech

Sameh Dardona

Robert James Lade

Edoardo Gaude

Isabel Marquez Sillero

Lara E Jamieson

Lara Jamieson

Parviz James Monem

Julian William Few

Marc Vanderschee

A method for the early detection and monitoring of the progression of cancer by detecting breath biomarkers is provided. The method comprises assessing the activity of an aldo-keto reductase by measuring the concentration of an exogenous substrate for said enzyme and/or measuring the concentration of a metabolite of said substrate in exhaled breath of a subject. Preferably, the cancer is lung cancer.

Diagnosis of cancer

The present disclosure relates to sensor systems and methods for analysing fluid samples. The sensor system comprises a housing () having an inlet for a fluid sample to enter the housing, an outlet for the fluid sample to exit the housing, and a fluid sample path within the housing for the fluid sample to flow between the inlet and the outlet. The sensor system also comprises an ionizer () which is external to the housing and which is for ionizing the fluid sample at a first location on the fluid sample path to generate sample ions, an ion mobility filter () which is at least partially located within the housing and which is for filtering the generated sample ions at a second location on the fluid sample path, and a detector () which is external to the housing and which is for detecting the sample ions which pass through the ion mobility filter at a third location on the fluid sample path.

Sensor system

Disclosed is a method for collecting different selected exhaled breath samples, or fractions thereof, on a single sample capture device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting a first exhaled breath sample by contacting the sample with a capture device comprising an adsorbent material; (b) collecting a second exhaled breath sample by contacting the second sample with said capture device, wherein the first and second exhaled breath samples are caused to be captured on the capture device in a spatially separated manner.

Multiple breath sampling method

An ion mobility filter is disclosed. The present invention relates to but not exclusively a field asymmetric ion spectrometry filter. For example, we describe an ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter is comprised of a plurality of electrodes, a first ion channel, and a second ion channel. The first ion channel filters ions from a target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a first pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a first ion channel gap width. The second ion channel filters ions from the target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a second pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a second ion channel gap width. The first ion channel gap width is greater than the second ion channel gap width.

Ion mobility filter

A sensor system comprising a housing having an inlet aperture through which fluid enters the housing and a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing. The sensor system comprises a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing. The sensor system comprises circulation means which is configured to alternate circulation of fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned. A method for analysing fluid in a housing using a sensor is also provided.

Fluid sensor system and method for analysing fluid

We describe a method and apparatus for detecting humidity using a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) system. The system may comprise an ionizer for generating ions within a gas sample, wherein each ion has an associated ion mobility; an ion filter for separating the ions by applying a compensation field and a dispersion field to the generated ions; a detector for detecting an output from the ion filter; and a processor. The processor may be configured to extract a spectrum of peak intensity of the detected output as a function of the compensation field and the dispersion field; calculate a turning point for the extracted spectrum; determine operating parameters of the field asymmetric ion mobility system; obtain, from a database, a plurality of known turning points each of which have an associated humidity and each of which were obtained using a field asymmetric ion mobility system having operating parameters aligned with the determined operating parameters; and determine the humidity by comparing the calculated turning point with known turning points.

Spectrometry system

Disclosed is apparatus for collecting a breath sample from a human subject, the apparatus comprising at least a mask portion which, in use, is positioned over the subject's mouth and nostrils so as to collect breath exhaled from the subject, the apparatus further comprising movement detection means for detecting movement of the mask portion, and an alarm signal generator, which alarm signal generator generates an alarm signal if the subject's head is outside a predetermined range of acceptable orientations during collection of a breath sample, but only after the subject's head has been outside the predetermined range of acceptable orientations for a defined or measurable period of time.

Breath sampling device and method

An ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter has a first ion channel for filtering ions from a target chemical in the gas sample. The ion filter has a second ion channel for filtering ions from the target chemical in the gas sample. The second ion channel is separated from the first ion channel. A temperature control region is in thermal contact with the first and second ion channels for controlling a difference in temperature between the first and second ion channels. A method of filtering ions from a target chemical in a gas sample is also provided.

A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.

Method of manufacture for an ion mobility filter

There is provided a device for collecting a breath portion from a patient for analysis, comprising a housing structure including an inlet port associated with a mask structure for receiving a portion of the patient's breath, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the inlet port for detecting one or more parameters regarding the patient's breath, at least one collection container for collecting a portion of the patient's breath received in the inlet port, at least one pump for pumping a selective portion of the patient's breath from the inlet port to the at least one collection container and a control system for controlling operation of the at least one sensor and at least one pump. The control system selectively operates the pump based on sensed parameters such as COand/or pressure to collect breath samples.

Systems and device for capturing breath samples

Disclosed is a method for selectively capturing one or more portions of a patient's breath, comprising:

Method for collecting a selective portion of a subject's breath

A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.

Corona ionization apparatus and method

Ion filter for FAIMS fabricated using the LIGA technique. The ion filter is manufactured using a metal layer to form the ion channels and an insulating support layer to hold the structure rigidly together after separation of the metal layer into two electrodes.

Field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry filter

An apparatus, system and method for detecting, identifying, classifying and/or quantifying chemical species in a gas flow using a micro-fabricated ion filter coupled to a system adapted to apply drive signals to the ion filter. Coupled to the ion filter is a system adapted to measure the output of the ion filter, which in turn is coupled to a system adapted to extract numerical parameters from the measured output of the ion filter to facilitate chemical detection, identification, classification and/or quantification of the gas flow.

Field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry system

An ion mobility gas detector apparatus including a detector core, an inlet gas path, an exhaust gas path, a source of diluent gas, and at least one or more sensors for measuring temperature, pressure and humidity of gas streams. Further included is a mixing mechanism adapted to mix at least first and second gas streams in response to one or more sensor measurements. A controller is provided for applying drive signals to the detector core.

Growing community of inventors

Islington, United Kingdom

Max D Allsworth