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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:23
Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 9, 2018
Cavity-enhanced optical frequency comb spectroscopy: application to human breath analysis
Michael J Thorpe1, David Balslev-Clausen, Matthew S Kirchner
1JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0440, USA. thorpe@jilau1.Colorado.EDU
Optics Express
|June 11, 2008
Summary
This study introduces an optical-frequency-comb breath analysis system for disease detection. It offers high sensitivity and real-time processing for identifying multiple breath biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Optical Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Human breath contains biomarkers indicative of diseases and metabolic states.
- Accurate and sensitive detection of these biomarkers is crucial for non-invasive diagnostics.
- Existing breath analysis methods may lack the required spectral resolution or sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a broad-bandwidth, high-spectral-resolution optical detection system for human breath analysis.
- To showcase the system's capability in identifying and quantifying multiple disease-correlated biomarkers.
- To validate the system's performance in terms of sensitivity, analyte identification, and real-time processing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an optical-frequency-comb-based spectroscopy system for breath analysis.
- Achieving a minimum detectable absorption of 8 x 10(-10) cm(-1).
- Operating with a spectral resolution of 800 MHz and 200 nm spectral coverage from 1.5 to 1.7 micrometers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated high detection sensitivity and spectral resolution for breath analysis.
- Successfully identified and distinguished multiple analytes, including CO2 isotope ratios, CO, and NH3.
- Showcased simultaneous, real-time information processing capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The optical-frequency-comb system provides a powerful tool for sensitive, high-resolution breath analysis.
- This technology enables the detection of key biomarkers for disease and metabolic process monitoring.
- The system's performance supports its potential for non-invasive medical diagnostics.
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