Breath Analysis for Disease Diagnosis

Robust real-time analysis of metabolites found in breath with sub-pptV sensitivity – for the most demanding research pursuits

Non-invasive breath sampling
Humidity independent quantitative measurement of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds at sub-ppt limits of detection
Reproducible and robust breath measurements
Real-time result reporting

Temperature controlled interface for efficient transfer of lower volatility compounds
Continuous transfer line flushing for active inhalation and contamination prevention
Integrated flow measurement
VocusBREATHE software with automated breath detection

Background

Analysis of Exhaled Breath for Disease Diagnosis

In addition to water vapor, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, breath is comprised of a variety of organic molecules that are often present at mixing ratio of parts-per-trillion. These endogenously produced organic compounds, known as metabolites, circulate in the body’s bloodstream and reflect metabolic and biochemical processes. Using mass-spectrometry, breath metabolites are used as biomarkers to create breath fingerprints for the identification of various respiratory and infectious diseases.

Due to high-relative humidity, chemical complexity, and fast, dynamic changes occurring during exhalation, breath is notoriously challenging to sample and analyze. Humidity independent quantification that is fast, sensitive, and robust is a requirement for conducting disease detection via breath analysis.

Solutions

Real-time, Ultra-sensitive Quantification of Biomarkers Found in Breath with the Vocus CI-TOF and Vocus Breathe
- Rapid single digit sub-ppt detection of metabolites found in breath
- VocusBREATHE software provides intuitive, easy-to-use operation
- Customized breath inlet for non-invasive sample collection, featuring a disposable mouthpiece, check valve, and zero-air flush for reduced contamination risk
Vocus Breath Inlet Product Sheet
Screenshot from VocusBREATHE demonstrating selectivity for defined compounds with real-time analysis.
Diagnostic and Disease Research Using the Vocus CI-TOF
- High-mass resolving power for identification and quantification of breath metabolites in real-time with extreme sensitivity
- Sub parts-per-trillion limit of detection
- Humidity independent measurement
- Optional automated reagent ion switching for expanded range of detectable compounds providing higher chemical specificity and reduced fragmentation
This figure demonstrates the real-time measurement of four successive exhalations sampled directly via the breath inlet to the Vocus CI-TOF analyzer. The compounds depicted are displayed directly in parts-per-billion concentrations per volume and represent some of the most abundant VOCs found in human breath. This figure illustrates the fast, reproducible, and humidity independent response of the Vocus CI-TOF for only 4 molecules, whereas hundreds of other VOCs are quantitatively measured for every exhalation.