WO2011117900A1 - Portable device for detecting drugs in breath - Google Patents

Portable device for detecting drugs in breath Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011117900A1
WO2011117900A1 PCT/IT2011/000078 IT2011000078W WO2011117900A1 WO 2011117900 A1 WO2011117900 A1 WO 2011117900A1 IT 2011000078 W IT2011000078 W IT 2011000078W WO 2011117900 A1 WO2011117900 A1 WO 2011117900A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
exhalation
analysis
sample
electromagnetic
electromagnetic radiation
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PCT/IT2011/000078
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mchele Pitaro
Carlo Bellecci
Pasqualino Gaudio
Andrea Malizia
Camilla Serafin
Maria Richetta
Original Assignee
Mchele Pitaro
Carlo Bellecci
Pasqualino Gaudio
Andrea Malizia
Camilla Serafin
Maria Richetta
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Application filed by Mchele Pitaro, Carlo Bellecci, Pasqualino Gaudio, Andrea Malizia, Camilla Serafin, Maria Richetta filed Critical Mchele Pitaro
Publication of WO2011117900A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011117900A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
    • G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
    • G01N33/497—Physical analysis of biological material of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/08—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs
    • A61B5/083—Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/27—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection ; circuits for computing concentration
    • G01N21/274—Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
    • G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
    • G01N21/3504—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2201/00—Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
    • G01N2201/02—Mechanical
    • G01N2201/022—Casings
    • G01N2201/0221—Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns the field of diagnostic devices for verifying the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body with a quick and non-invasive technique.
  • the present invention concerns a diagnostic device arranged for allowing to verify and in case to measure the presence of said substances, and/or the metabolites deriving there from, in the human body by the examination of the exhalation, i.e. of the air emitted by an individual while breathing out.
  • a drug or a psychotropic substance is a substance that may generate a condition of toxicomania or drug addiction.
  • Toxomania means an uncontrollable impulse in an individual towards taking drugs due to psychological, neuropsychological or environmental conditions; whereas drug addition means a status in which the individual becomes a passive victim of behavioural modifications (with neurochemical or psychological mechanisms) induced by the drug.
  • Narcotic painkiller a number of molecules belong to this group, characterized in their connection - in the central nervous system - with particular receptors called "receptors for opioids". The most representative elements for this group are morphine, codeine, heroine, hydrocodone, methadone and meperidine.
  • Alcohol, hypnotics and anxyolitics even though, from a chemical point of view, they are heterogeneous substances, the elements of this group have a typical crossed addiction, i.e. each element of the group may ease withdrawal symptoms that may follow the interruption of another one.
  • the main elements of this group are barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
  • the barbiturates the most important are phenobarbital, metilfenobarbital, methabarbital, and primidone.
  • benzodiazepines diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, triazolam, clordiazeposside, oxazepam should be mentioned.
  • Psychostimulants ***e, amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine), phenmetrazine, phendimetrazine, methylphenidate and mazindol.
  • Hallucinogens and raving substances among the most important are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline and Indian cannabis' derivates (tetrahydrocannabinol), phencyclidine, ketamine, atropine and scopolamine.
  • Equipments are already known for examining the exhalation of an individual, for example for verifying the alcohol level in his blood.
  • Such equipments mainly comprise a movable container, interchangeable means for introducing the exhalation, power supply means, test means based on the principle of the exhalation analysis, and means for the display of the results found.
  • the need is known to verify drug and/or psychotropic substances taking by individuals having responsibility duties and jobs, e.g. drivers in private or business cars, so as to prevent dangerous situations caused by drivers in an evident disordered state of mind.
  • the need is known to verify the consumption of said substances by personnel with functions requesting absolute reliability, like e.g.:
  • Special ambient situations may further require sample tests on participants to mass events like sports events, political events, concerts, performances and other events.
  • the diagnostic techniques commonly used for verifying the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body schedule a test of blood, skin or urine samples, duly taken from the individual to be checked.
  • a drug and/or a psychotropic substance may reach said cerebral tissues through different kinds of consumption:
  • the diffusion of said drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the central nervous system occurs by passive diffusion through the blood-brain barrier, i.e. the organic barrier that separates the capillaries from the cerebral tissues.
  • said blood-brain barrier is structurally similar to the blood-alveolar barrier, once a sufficient concentration gradient has been obtained, the same substances passively diffusing through said barrier will indifferently diffuse also through the other one.
  • concentration of a drug and/or psychotropic substance is higher in the alveolar capillaries than in the cavities of the lung alveoli, a passive diffusion of said substance will occur from the blood to the air contained in said alveoli.
  • US patent 4,067,320 (Olsson Sven-Gunnar, Rolf Castor, Gabriel Tchang) shows a second possibility for realizing a system for adjusting the composition of the gas mixture given to patients in intensive care, on the base of the air composition expired by said patient.
  • a diagnostic device for verifying and also measuring the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, comprising:
  • said processing unit is capable of managing the results so as to recognize the different typologies of the substances taken, as well as the amounts of the substances taken and the time passed since the consumption.
  • the device may be provided with a system for measuring the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the special emission source, such as to integrate, or to completely replace, the functions of said spectrographic equipment.
  • the device according to the present invention has many and important advantages, due to the choice of techniques based on the use of electromagnetic radiation absorption spectroscopy:
  • figure 1 shows, in a block scheme, the components and the working principle of the device
  • figure 2 shows the absorption spectrum of a drug.
  • the device according to the present invention consists of:
  • a light guide optical system 4 arranged for focusing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample in a light guide, so that it may be detectable by a special spectrographic equipment, after said electromagnetic radiations have crossed the sample exhalation contained in the collection ampulla 1;
  • spectrographic device 5 comprising a monochromator 6, having the functions of a high definition spectrograph, and/or an electromagnetic radiation detector 7, arranged for the captation of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample, or only of some specific frequencies of the same;
  • a normalization device 8 arranged for making said absorption spectrum independent from the absoluteintensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation
  • processing unit 9 arranged for the comparative or differential analysis of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample with the absorption spectra of suitable reference exhalations, capable of working out from said analysis the presence of a particular substance and, in a more complex variant of the device, the exact type of the substances taken, as well as the amounts thereof and the time passed since the consumption thereof;
  • the spectrographic device 5 will be capable to perform an infrared spectrograph analysis IR, obtaining an absorption spectrum like the one shown in figure 2, relating to morphine.
  • the device may be equippedaccordingly, with a spectrographic device 5 capable of working with other wavelengths, e.g. in the ultraviolet or visible field,
  • the device may be provided with a device 14 for measuring the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the special emission source 3, so as to complete, or replace, the functions of said spectrographic device 5.
  • the exhalation of the individual to be tested is blown into the collection ampulla 1 through a single-use mouthpiece 2 or similar means, and irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation, of a known spectral radiance, generated by at least one special emission source 3.
  • Said electromagnetic radiation is received and focalized by a light guide optical system 4, in a light guide connected to a spectrographic device 5, comprising a monochromator 6, with the functions of a high definition spectrograph, and/or an electromagnetic radiation detector 7, such as to allow verifying the presence of prospective drugs and/or psychotropic substances, and/or of the metabolites deriving there from in the sample exhalation, by pointing out the specific spectral frequencies absorbed by said substances when they are crossed, in their gaseous state, by an electromagnetic radiation with a known spectral radiance.
  • the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation is first made independent from the absolute intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation, by means of a specific normalization device 8, and further transmitted to a processing unit 9 arranged for the comparative analysis of said sample exhalation with the absorption spectra of special reference exhalations.
  • Said reference exhalations are stored, in a digital format manageable by said processing unit 9, in special updatable memory supports 10, associateed with said unit.
  • said processing unit 9 further analyses the absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation, so as to determine the amount of the specific substance found and the time passed since its consumption, by comparing the concentration levels of the metabolites deriving there from.
  • the results of the analysis on the sample exhalation will be displayed, or printed onto a relevant support, by means of analog and/or digital output peripherals 11 , integrated in the device or to be connected to the same.
  • the device may provide the contemporary use of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources with the same spectral band and width, so as to accelerate the taking over of the absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation, or of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emissions having different spectral bands and width for contemporarily testing said sample exhalation on different frequencies, thus determining a proportional increase of the possibilities of finding prospective drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the same.
  • the device according to the present invention may be easily updated for recognizing new drugs and/or psychotropic substances on the market, by inserting electromagnetic absorption spectra of more reference exhalations, comprising said substances, in memory supports 10, associated with processing unit 9.
  • the processing unit 9 will indicate only the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the exhalation contained in the collection ampulla 1, without determining type, amount or consumption times thereof, by means of a simple differential analysis between the electromagnetic adsorption spectrum of said sample exhalation and the absorption spectrum of a reference exhalation without any modifying substances, suitably stored in the memory supports 10 associated with said processing unit 9.

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Abstract

A diagnostic device for verifying and also measuring the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, by means of the analysis of the exhalation with the electromagnetic radiation absorption spectrograph technique, comprising: - an ampulla (1) for collecting the sample exhalation, with single-use mouthpieces (2) or similar means; - one electromagnetic radiation emission source (3); - a system (5) for the captation, analysis and taking over of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation, or only of some specific frequencies of the same; - a processing unit (8, 9) for the comparative or differential analysis of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample, with the absorption spectra of special reference exhalations, for working out from said analysis the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances, and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, in the body of the individual to be tested, and/or the different kinds of substances taken, as well as the amounts thereof and the time passed since their consumption; - updatable memory supports (10), containing the absorption spectra of said reference exhalations; - output peripherals (11), arranged for the display of the results of the analysis performed on the sample exhalation, and in case for recording the same onto a relevant support.

Description

PORTABLE DEVICE FOR DETECTING DRUGS IN BREATH
The present invention concerns the field of diagnostic devices for verifying the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body with a quick and non-invasive technique.
More in detail, the present invention concerns a diagnostic device arranged for allowing to verify and in case to measure the presence of said substances, and/or the metabolites deriving there from, in the human body by the examination of the exhalation, i.e. of the air emitted by an individual while breathing out.
According to the present invention, a drug or a psychotropic substance is a substance that may generate a condition of toxicomania or drug addiction. Toxomania means an uncontrollable impulse in an individual towards taking drugs due to psychological, neuropsychological or environmental conditions; whereas drug addition means a status in which the individual becomes a passive victim of behavioural modifications (with neurochemical or psychological mechanisms) induced by the drug.
Herein below, the main groups of drugs are listed, by way of non-limiting example, that may be recognized by the device according to the present invention.
Narcotic painkiller (opiates): a number of molecules belong to this group, characterized in their connection - in the central nervous system - with particular receptors called "receptors for opioids". The most representative elements for this group are morphine, codeine, heroine, hydrocodone, methadone and meperidine.
Alcohol, hypnotics and anxyolitics: even though, from a chemical point of view, they are heterogeneous substances, the elements of this group have a typical crossed addiction, i.e. each element of the group may ease withdrawal symptoms that may follow the interruption of another one. Beyond ethanol, the main elements of this group are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Among the barbiturates, the most important are phenobarbital, metilfenobarbital, methabarbital, and primidone. Among benzodiazepines, diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, triazolam, clordiazeposside, oxazepam should be mentioned.
Psychostimulants: ***e, amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine), phenmetrazine, phendimetrazine, methylphenidate and mazindol.
Hallucinogens and raving substances: among the most important are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline and Indian cannabis' derivates (tetrahydrocannabinol), phencyclidine, ketamine, atropine and scopolamine.
Equipments are already known for examining the exhalation of an individual, for example for verifying the alcohol level in his blood. Such equipments mainly comprise a movable container, interchangeable means for introducing the exhalation, power supply means, test means based on the principle of the exhalation analysis, and means for the display of the results found.
The need is known to verify drug and/or psychotropic substances taking by individuals having responsibility duties and jobs, e.g. drivers in private or business cars, so as to prevent dangerous situations caused by drivers in an evident disordered state of mind. Likewise, the need is known to verify the consumption of said substances by personnel with functions requesting absolute reliability, like e.g.:
- driving civil or military transport means like airplanes, ships or trains;
- the use of potentially dangerous civil or military machines;
- the participation in civil or military operative tasks, in general.
Special ambient situations may further require sample tests on participants to mass events like sports events, political events, concerts, performances and other events.
The diagnostic techniques commonly used for verifying the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body schedule a test of blood, skin or urine samples, duly taken from the individual to be checked.
These techniques' drawback is that they require long execution times which are incompatible with the need of quickly performing said tests or mass sample tests.
As it is known, according to the fundamental principles of toxicology, whichever drug and/or psychotropic substance introduced into the human body orally or parenterally, without distinction, must reach the cerebral tissues and unleash its effects.
A drug and/or a psychotropic substance may reach said cerebral tissues through different kinds of consumption:
- intravenously, reaching the cerebral tissues directly through the circulatory system;
- alveolarly, reaching the cerebral tissues by means of the blood flow, passing through the blood-alveolar barrier, i.e. the organic barrier that separates the lung alveoli from the capillaries; - orally, reaching the cerebral tissues by means of the blood flow, passing through the intestinal tissues;
- by transmucosal way, reaching the cerebral tissues by means of the blood flow, passing through the nasal mucosa.
Apart from the way of consumption, the diffusion of said drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the central nervous system occurs by passive diffusion through the blood-brain barrier, i.e. the organic barrier that separates the capillaries from the cerebral tissues.
Once it has been acknowledged that said blood-brain barrier is structurally similar to the blood-alveolar barrier, once a sufficient concentration gradient has been obtained, the same substances passively diffusing through said barrier will indifferently diffuse also through the other one. When the concentration of a drug and/or psychotropic substance is higher in the alveolar capillaries than in the cavities of the lung alveoli, a passive diffusion of said substance will occur from the blood to the air contained in said alveoli.
Such substance will be expulsed by the human body through the exhalation while breathing and therefore it can be identified by means of an adequate exhalation analysys.
The exhalation analysys has been suggested in other diagnostic applications of very different kind, even if with different methods.
US patent 6,599,253 B1 (Baum Marc M. and Harry C. Lord) shows the use of the exhalation analysys for calculating the heart rate range. Besides the different application field, the method differs from the present invention in other substantial aspects, like the need for the individual to be tested to inhale, before the test, a known mixture of gases.
US patent 4,067,320 (Olsson Sven-Gunnar, Rolf Castor, Gabriel Tchang) shows a second possibility for realizing a system for adjusting the composition of the gas mixture given to patients in intensive care, on the base of the air composition expired by said patient.
It is the aim of the present invention to overcome the limits of the known invasive methods used for verifying the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body, by means of the realization of a device arranged for allowing to quickly verify and, in case, to measure said substances and/or the metabolites deriving there from, by means of the exhalation analysys.
The aim set forth is reached by means of a diagnostic device for verifying and also measuring the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, comprising:
- a movable container;
- interchangeable means for introducing the exhalation of a person being tested;
- power supply means;
- analog and/or digital output peripherals provided for the display of the results of the analysis performed on the exhalation sample, and in case for recording the same onto a relevant support,
characterized in that it comprises:
- an ampulla for collecting the exhalation;
- at least one electromagnetic radiation source;
- a device for the captation, analysis and taking over of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample being analyzed, or only of some specific frequencies of the same;
- reprogrammable memory supports containing reference exhalation absorption spectra;
- a processing unit for the comparative or differential analysis of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample being tested with the absorption spectra of said reference exhalations, capable of working out from said analysis the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances, and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, in the body of the person being tested.
According to a more complex variant of the present invention, said processing unit is capable of managing the results so as to recognize the different typologies of the substances taken, as well as the amounts of the substances taken and the time passed since the consumption.
Furthermore, according to a further aspect of the present invention, the device may be provided with a system for measuring the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the special emission source, such as to integrate, or to completely replace, the functions of said spectrographic equipment.
The device according to the present invention has many and important advantages, due to the choice of techniques based on the use of electromagnetic radiation absorption spectroscopy:
- through the exhalation analysis, it allows the performance of quick and non invasive test, which may be easily read also by non specialized personnel;
- it is easy to be transported due to its small dimensions, and it may be used in open air and in public places;
- it is easy to update by means of the insertion of new absorption spectra of reference exhalations in the memory support, so as to allow the identification of new kinds of drugs and/or psychotropic substances on the market;
- it may be given to medical laboratories as a replacement, or a complement, to the known and used diagnostic methods;
- it may be given to civil or military authorities as an equipment for performing quick tests or mass sample controls.
Further features and advantages of the device according to the present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in which a preferred embodiment is shown, by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
figure 1 shows, in a block scheme, the components and the working principle of the device;
figure 2 shows the absorption spectrum of a drug.
As concerns figure 1 , the device according to the present invention consists of:
- an ampulla 1 for collecting the exhalation, blown into the same by the person to be tested by means of single-use interchangeable mouthpieces 2, or similar means ;
- at least one electromagnetic radiation source 3;
- a light guide optical system 4, arranged for focusing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample in a light guide, so that it may be detectable by a special spectrographic equipment, after said electromagnetic radiations have crossed the sample exhalation contained in the collection ampulla 1;
- a spectrographic device 5, comprising a monochromator 6, having the functions of a high definition spectrograph, and/or an electromagnetic radiation detector 7, arranged for the captation of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample, or only of some specific frequencies of the same;
- a normalization device 8, arranged for making said absorption spectrum independent from the absoluteintensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation;
- a processing unit 9 arranged for the comparative or differential analysis of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample with the absorption spectra of suitable reference exhalations, capable of working out from said analysis the presence of a particular substance and, in a more complex variant of the device, the exact type of the substances taken, as well as the amounts thereof and the time passed since the consumption thereof;
- updatable memory supports 10, associated with said processing unit 9 containing the absorption spectra of said reference exhalations, in a digital format manageable by said unit;
- analog and/or digital output peripherals 11 , integrated in the device or connectable to the same, arranged for displaying the results of the analysis performed on the exhalation sample and in case for recording the same onto a suitable support.
In particular, the spectrographic device 5 will be capable to perform an infrared spectrograph analysis IR, obtaining an absorption spectrum like the one shown in figure 2, relating to morphine.
If the spectra of the drugs or psychotropic substances to be verified are not comprised in the infrared band, the device may be equippedaccordingly, with a spectrographic device 5 capable of working with other wavelengths, e.g. in the ultraviolet or visible field,
besides, the above mentioned elements are housed in a suitable movable container 12 ad appropriately fed by power supply means 13.
Furthermore, the device may be provided with a device 14 for measuring the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the special emission source 3, so as to complete, or replace, the functions of said spectrographic device 5.
According to the present invention, the exhalation of the individual to be tested is blown into the collection ampulla 1 through a single-use mouthpiece 2 or similar means, and irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation, of a known spectral radiance, generated by at least one special emission source 3.
Said electromagnetic radiation is received and focalized by a light guide optical system 4, in a light guide connected to a spectrographic device 5, comprising a monochromator 6, with the functions of a high definition spectrograph, and/or an electromagnetic radiation detector 7, such as to allow verifying the presence of prospective drugs and/or psychotropic substances, and/or of the metabolites deriving there from in the sample exhalation, by pointing out the specific spectral frequencies absorbed by said substances when they are crossed, in their gaseous state, by an electromagnetic radiation with a known spectral radiance.
The electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation is first made independent from the absolute intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation, by means of a specific normalization device 8, and further transmitted to a processing unit 9 arranged for the comparative analysis of said sample exhalation with the absorption spectra of special reference exhalations.
Said reference exhalations, different from each other according to the different types of known drugs and/or psychotropic substances, are stored, in a digital format manageable by said processing unit 9, in special updatable memory supports 10, asociated with said unit.
In the more complex variant of the device, following a positive comparison, said processing unit 9 further analyses the absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation, so as to determine the amount of the specific substance found and the time passed since its consumption, by comparing the concentration levels of the metabolites deriving there from.
The results of the analysis on the sample exhalation will be displayed, or printed onto a relevant support, by means of analog and/or digital output peripherals 11 , integrated in the device or to be connected to the same. The device may provide the contemporary use of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources with the same spectral band and width, so as to accelerate the taking over of the absorption spectrum of the sample exhalation, or of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emissions having different spectral bands and width for contemporarily testing said sample exhalation on different frequencies, thus determining a proportional increase of the possibilities of finding prospective drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the same.
Furthermore, the device according to the present invention may be easily updated for recognizing new drugs and/or psychotropic substances on the market, by inserting electromagnetic absorption spectra of more reference exhalations, comprising said substances, in memory supports 10, associated with processing unit 9.
In a possible, simplified embodiment of the device, the processing unit 9 will indicate only the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the exhalation contained in the collection ampulla 1, without determining type, amount or consumption times thereof, by means of a simple differential analysis between the electromagnetic adsorption spectrum of said sample exhalation and the absorption spectrum of a reference exhalation without any modifying substances, suitably stored in the memory supports 10 associated with said processing unit 9.

Claims

A diagnostic device for verifying and also measuring the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances in the human body and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, comprising:
- a movable container (12);
- interchangeable means
(2) for introducing the exhalation of a person being tested;
- power supply means (13);
- analog and/or digital output peripherals (11) provided for the display of the results of the analysis performed on the exhalation sample, and in case for recording the same onto a relevant support, characterized in that it comprises:
- an ampulla (1) for collecting the exhalation;
- at least one electromagnetic radiation source (3);
- a device (5, 6, 7) for the captation, analysis and taking over of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample being analyzed, or only of some specific frequencies of the same;
- reprogrammable memory supports (10) containing reference exhalation absorption spectra;
- a processing unit (8, 9) for the comparative or differential analysis of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample being tested with the absorption spectra of said reference exhalations, capable of working out from said analysis the presence of drugs and/or psychotropic substances, and/or of the metabolites deriving there from, in the body of the person being tested.
A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources (3), working on the same spectral radiance or on different spectral radiances.
3. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spectrograph ic device (5) is associated with an optical light guide system (4) arranged for focusing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample.
4. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spectrograph ic device (5) comprises a monochromator (6) working as a high definition spectrograph, and/or an electromagnetic radiation detector (7).
5. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spectrographic device (5) is associated with a device (8) for the normalization of the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of the exhalation sample.
6. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spectrographic device (5) may be replaced by or completed with a device (14) for measuring the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation generated by its emission source (3).
7. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the analog and/or digital output peripherals (11) are integrated in the device or connected to the same.
8. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the components of said device are assembled inside a movable container (12).
PCT/IT2011/000078 2010-03-22 2011-03-18 Portable device for detecting drugs in breath WO2011117900A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3164693A4 (en) * 2014-08-27 2018-07-25 Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. Spectral signature drug detection

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US3649199A (en) * 1970-03-26 1972-03-14 Varian Associates Method for detecting trace quantities of an organic drug material in a living animal
US4067320A (en) 1975-05-06 1978-01-10 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Arrangement for drift compensation in a gas analyzer
US6599253B1 (en) 2001-06-25 2003-07-29 Oak Crest Institute Of Science Non-invasive, miniature, breath monitoring apparatus
US20080061238A1 (en) * 2006-09-13 2008-03-13 Bertil Hok Breath analyzer

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3649199A (en) * 1970-03-26 1972-03-14 Varian Associates Method for detecting trace quantities of an organic drug material in a living animal
US4067320A (en) 1975-05-06 1978-01-10 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Arrangement for drift compensation in a gas analyzer
US6599253B1 (en) 2001-06-25 2003-07-29 Oak Crest Institute Of Science Non-invasive, miniature, breath monitoring apparatus
US20080061238A1 (en) * 2006-09-13 2008-03-13 Bertil Hok Breath analyzer

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3164693A4 (en) * 2014-08-27 2018-07-25 Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. Spectral signature drug detection

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