United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Peter M Struk

Mark E Lewis

Richard D Pettegrew

Jeffrey R Juergens

Michael J Lichter

Daniel L Dietrich

Dale M Diedrick

Nancy C Piltch

Russell W Valentine

Nancy D Piltch

Russel W Valentine

A portable unit for metabolic analysis includes a manifold in fluid communication with a mouth of a test subject. A conduit extends from the manifold and defines a flow channel through which the breaths of the test subject travels. A carbon dioxide sensor is attached to the conduit. The carbon dioxide sensor includes an intermediate support housing enclosing a volume disposed along the flow channel to define a first part of the flow channel, an inner support housing attached to a first side of the intermediate support housing, a plurality of IR LEDs mounted to an interior surface of the inner support housing, an outer support housing attached to a second side of the intermediate support housing, and a photodetector attached to the outer support housing. The photodetector faces the flow channel and receives IR radiation emitted by the plurality of LEDs.

Portable unit for metabolic analysis

The Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis measures human metabolic function. The compact invention attaches to the face of a subject and it is able to record highly time-resolved measurements of air temperature and pressure, flow rates during inhalation and exhalation, and oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure. The device is capable of 'breath-by-breath' analysis and 'within-breath' analysis at high temporal resolution.

Growing community of inventors

Olmsted Township, OH, United States of America

Peter M Struk