Reliable Breathing Tracking with Wearable Mask Device.

Breathing tracking is critical for the assessment of lung functions, exercise physiologies, and energy expenditure. Conventional methods require using a face mask or mouthpiece that is connected to a stationary equipment through a tube, restricting the location, movement, or even the posture. To obtain accurate breathing physiology parameters that represent the true state of the patient during different scenarios, a wearable technology that has less intervention to patient's activities in free-living conditions is highly preferred. Here, we propose a miniaturized, reliable, and wide-dynamic ranged flow sensing technology that is immune to orientation, movement, and noise. As far as we know, this is the first work of introducing a fully integrated mask device focusing on breath tracking in free-living conditions. There are two key challenges for achieving this goal: miniaturized flow sensing and motion-induced artifacts elimination. To address these challenges, we come up with two technical innovations: 1) in hardware wise, we have designed an integrated flow sensing technique based on differential pressure Pneumotach approach and motion sensing; 2) in software wise, we have developed comprehensive algorithms based baseline tracking and orientation and motion compensation. The effectiveness of the proposed technology has been proven by the experiments. Experimental results from simulator and real breath conditions show high correlation (R2 = 0.9994 and 0.9964 respectively) and mean error within 2.5% for Minute Volume (VE), when compared to values computed from reference methods. These results show that the proposed method is accurate and reliable to track the key breath parameters in free-living conditions.

Thermochemical Humidity Detection in Harsh or Non-Steady Environments.

We present a new method of chemical quantification utilizing thermal analysis for the detection of relative humidity. By measuring the temperature change of a hydrophilically-modified temperature sensing element vs. a hydrophobically-modified reference element, the total heat from chemical interactions in the sensing element can be measured and used to calculate a change in relative humidity. We have probed the concept by assuming constant temperature streams, and having constant reference humidity (~0% in this case). The concept has been probed with the two methods presented here: (1) a thermistor-based method and (2) a thermographic method. For the first method, a hydrophilically-modified thermistor was used, and a detection range of 0-75% relative humidity was demonstrated. For the second method, a hydrophilically-modified disposable surface (sensing element) and thermal camera were used, and thermal signatures for different relative humidity were demonstrated. These new methods offer opportunities in either chemically harsh environments or in rapidly changing environments. For sensing humidity in a chemically harsh environment, a hydrophilically-modified thermistor can provide a sensing method, eliminating the exposure of metallic contacts, which can be easily corroded by the environment. On the other hand, the thermographic method can be applied with a disposable non-contact sensing element, which is a low-cost upkeep option in environments where damage or fouling is inevitable. In addition, for environments that are rapidly changing, the thermographic method could potentially provide a very rapid humidity measurement as the chemical interactions are rapid and their changes are easily quantified.

A New Differential Pressure Flow Meter for Measurement of Human Breath Flow: Simulation and Experimental Investigation.

The development and performance characterization of a new differential pressure-based flow meter for human breath measurements is presented in this article. The device, called a "Confined Pitot Tube," is comprised of a pipe with an elliptically shaped expansion cavity located in the pipe center, and an elliptical disk inside the expansion cavity. The elliptical disk, named Pitot Tube, is exchangeable, and has different diameters, which are smaller than the diameter of the elliptical cavity. The gap between the disk and the cavity allows the flow of human breath to pass through. The disk causes an obstruction in the flow inside the pipe, but the elliptical cavity provides an expansion for the flow to circulate around the disk, decreasing the overall flow resistance. We characterize the new sensor flow experimentally and theoretically, using Comsol Multiphysics® software with laminar and turbulent models. We also validate the sensor, using inhalation and exhalation tests and a reference method.

Colorimetric humidity sensor based on liquid composite materials for the monitoring of food and pharmaceuticals.

Using supported ionic-liquid membrane (SILM)-inspired methodologies, we have synthesized, characterized, and developed a humidity sensor by coating a liquid composite material onto a hygroscopic, porous substrate. Similar to pH paper, the sensor responds to the environment's relative humidity and changes color accordingly. The humidity indicator is prepared by casting a few microliters of low-toxicity reagents on a nontoxic substrate. The sensing material is a newly synthesized liquid composite that comprises a hygroscopic medium for environmental humidity capture and a color indicator that translates the humidity level into a distinct color change. Sodium borohydride was used to form a liquid composite medium, and DenimBlu30 dye was used as a redox indicator. The liquid composite medium provides a hygroscopic response to the relative humidity, and DenimBlu30 translates the chemical changes into a visual change from yellow to blue. The borate-redox dye-based humidity sensor was prepared, and then Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and image analysis methods were used to characterize the chemical composition, optimize synthesis, and gain insight into the sensor reactivity. Test results indicated that this new sensing material can detect relative humidity in the range of 5-100% in an irreversible manner with good reproducibility and high accuracy. The sensor is a low-cost, highly sensitive, easy-to-use humidity indicator. More importantly, it can be easily packaged with products to monitor humidity levels in pharmaceutical and food packaging.

A pocket-sized metabolic analyzer for assessment of resting energy expenditure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The assessment of metabolic parameters related to energy expenditure has a proven value for weight management; however these measurements remain too difficult and costly for monitoring individuals at home. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of a new pocket-sized metabolic analyzer device for assessing energy expenditure at rest (REE) and during sedentary activities (EE). The new device performs indirect calorimetry by measuring an individual's oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) rates, which allows the determination of resting- and sedentary activity-related energy expenditure. METHODS: VO2 and VCO2 values of 17 volunteer adult subjects were measured during resting and sedentary activities in order to compare the metabolic analyzer with the Douglas bag method. The Douglas bag method is considered the Gold Standard method for indirect calorimetry. Metabolic parameters of VO2, VCO2, and energy expenditure were compared using linear regression analysis, paired t-tests, and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis of measured VO2 and VCO2 values, as well as calculated energy expenditure assessed with the new analyzer and Douglas bag method, had the following linear regression parameters (linear regression slope LRS0, and R-squared coefficient, r(2)) with p = 0: LRS0 (SD) = 1.00 (0.01), r(2) = 0.9933 for VO2; LRS0 (SD) = 1.00 (0.01), r(2) = 0.9929 for VCO2; and LRS0 (SD) = 1.00 (0.01), r(2) = 0.9942 for energy expenditure. In addition, results from paired t-tests did not show statistical significant difference between the methods with a significance level of α = 0.05 for VO2, VCO2, REE, and EE. Furthermore, the Bland-Altman plot for REE showed good agreement between methods with 100% of the results within ±2SD, which was equivalent to ≤10% error. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that the new pocket-sized metabolic analyzer device is accurate for determining VO2, VCO2, and energy expenditure.