Design and Development of a Breath Analyzer for the Detection of Diabetes Specific Biomarkers

Measurement of blood-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurring in human exhaled breath, as a result of metabolic changes or pathological disorders, is a promising method for noninvasive medical diagnosis. This method could be effective for the acetone measurements that leads to diabetes moni

Project Title

Design and Development of a Breath Analyzer for the Detection of Diabetes Specific Biomarkers

Project Area of Specialization

Biomedical Engineering

Project Summary

Measurement of blood-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurring in human exhaled breath, as a result of metabolic changes or pathological disorders, is a promising method for noninvasive medical diagnosis. This method could be effective for the acetone measurements that leads to diabetes monitoring. The conventional method for the detection of diabetes is through blood testing. Although, accurate but blood testing is invasive, time consuming, harmful to both ? the subject and the phlebotomist. While on the other hand, breath analysis is a noninvasive method that causes least harm to both the subject and the phlebotomist. The breath analysis method has manifold advantages; the sample collection is easy, it analyzes and returns the result momentarily. Therefore, nowadays, there is an increasing interest about the application of breath analysis, in medical and clinical pathology, where it could be used both as a diagnostic tool and a way to monitor the progress of therapies. Over the years, exhaled acetone was underestimated, mostly because there were not any suitable devices to detect it in exhaled breath and correlate it with specific diseases such as diabetes. Therefore, the objective of this project is to design and develop a Breath Analyzer for the detection of diabetes specific biomarkers. In this method, we will use Metal Oxide Gas Sensing technology. For this purpose, we will first select a sensing layer that is specific to acetone only. If acetone is detected, free electrons in the sensing layer will conduct electric current. The output is then processed through signal processing circuit. To feed the gas to the sensing layer, a mouthpiece will be constructed to prevent the VOCs, in our breath, to disperse in the atmosphere. Thus, the project aims at the development of a breath analyzer that must be highly sensitive to the acetone and resistant towards the changes in temperature and humidity. Moreover, its calibration must have a long-life span.

Project Objectives

 To design and develop a MOS based breath analyzer for the detection of diabetes specific biomarker that can monitor blood glucose levels non-invasively

Project Implementation Method

In order to develop the breath analyzer, the first step is to select a sensing layer that is highly specific to acetone only and does not gives false readings, for this purpose we have used wo3 nanoparticles. The paste of the sensing layer will then be coated onto a prefabricated Al2O3 ceramic tube to form a thick film and then air-dried for 1 hour. The length and diameter of the tube will be 4 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. Two Gold electrodes will be installed at each end of the ceramic tube. Electric contacts will then be made with two platinum wires attached to the electrodes. A NiCr heating wire will be placed through the tube to control the operating temperature. The sensors will then be annealed at 240 ?C for 48 hours on the aging equipment in ambient air. Once the sensor is fabricated, its module will be developed, and a comparator will be used to convert analog output of the sensor into digital which will then be sent to a microcontroller to display the readings on the LCD. The whole circuit will be placed inside a casing that has a mouthpiece on the outside to prevent the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of breath from dispersing.

Benefits of the Project

Traditionally, monitoring and measuring one's diabetes requires a prick of the finger. In fact, this is currently the only way to determine the blood glucose level accurately. Pricking the finger draws a drop of blood that is placed on a test strip and read by a meter. Although, this method is demanding but also invasive and painful resulting in the lack of proper monitoring by the reluctant diabetic patients. Therefore, the purpose of our project is to overcome the problems and difficulties through the breath analysis based diabetes monitoring method. Our project will help in reducing pain to the subject as it is a non-invasive method and will help in making the sample collection easy.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The developed breath analyzer will contain a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor with WO3 nanoparticles sensing layer. The package will also contain an Arduino as a microcontroller unit and a signal processing circuit. The breath analyzer will be provided with a 9V rechargeable battery. A mouth piece will also be provided in the package to take the breath sample and prevent it from dispersing in the atmosphere. A 16 x 2 LCD display will also be present in order to display the readings. The breath sample time will be 10 seconds and the temperature for optimum operation will be -20 to 80°C.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Health

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People

Required Resources

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