A NEW GENERATION METABOLIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM

本研究的目标是开发一种独特的氧气和二氧化碳呼吸气体分析仪，其特点是响应速度快，稳定性高，并显着节省成本。 它采用了以前在气体分析中没有证明的新方法来检测O2和CO2。在第一阶段，申请组织通过建立一个原型来证明概念，该原型的规格目前超过了一些商业上可用的气体分析仪的规格，成本是其三倍。 该技术还提供了许多实际优点，例如，组合式O2/CO2分析仪的重量小于2.5 kg，而竞争气体分析仪的重量超过28 kg。 预计费用约为5 000美元。 拟议的第二阶段研究将改进设计，包括将能力扩展到儿科和新生儿应用，并将所得气体分析仪纳入完整的代谢分析系统中。 将进行台架测试和人类受试者验证。 这项研究将导致一种新的技术，用于患者监测，运动负荷测试，代谢分析和控制气氛（如高压氧舱）的监测。 还有工业应用，包括温室监测，食品加工和污染控制。 申请人的组织在SBIR技术的开发和商业化方面有着成功的记录。拟定商业应用：商业应用包括与健康相关的应用，例如患者监测、代谢测量、运动压力测试和营养评估。 其他工业应用包括温室监测、食品加工和其他环境监测。 由此产生的O2/CO2气体分析仪将作为独立产品销售，并纳入代谢分析系统。

The goal of this research is to develop a unique respiratory gas analyzer for both oxygen and carbon dioxide, characterized by very fast response, high stability, and significant cost savings. It incorporates new approaches to sensing O2 and CO2 not previously demonstrated in gas analysis. In Phase I, the applicant organization demonstrated proof-of- concept by building a prototype whose specifications currently exceed those of some commercially available gas analyzers costing three times as much. The technology also provides many practical advantages, e.g., the weight of the combined O2/CO2 analyzer is less than 2.5 kg, while competitive gas analyzers weight over 28 kg. Projected cost is approximately $5,000. Proposed Phase II research will improve the design, including extending the capability to pediatric and neonatal applications, and incorporate the resulting gas analyzer into a complete metabolic analysis system. Both bench testing and validation with human subjects will take place. This research will lead to a new technology useful and cost effective for patient monitoring, exercise stress testing, metabolic analysis, and monitoring of controlled atmospheres such as hyperbaric chambers. There are also industrial applications, including greenhouse monitoring, food processing, and pollution control. The applicant's organization has a successful track record in developing and commercializing SBIR technology. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Commercial applications include health-related applications such as patient monitoring, metabolic measurement, exercise stress testing, and nutritional evaluation. Other industrial applications include greenhouse monitoring, food processing, and other environmental monitoring. The resultant O2/CO2 gas analyzer will be marketed as a stand alone product and incorporated into a metabolic analysis system.