Remote Blood Alcohol Analyzer

描述（由申请人提供）：物理光学公司（POC）提议开发一种基于全光纤红外（IR）光谱呼吸分析（IRSBA）的新型远程血液酒精分析仪（ReBAA），以满足在磁共振成像（MRI）环境中监测血液酒精浓度（BAC）的关键需求（06-A-105）。在MRI过程中测量BAC对于更好地了解酒精对大脑功能的影响至关重要;特别是，迫切需要一种能够在MRI（脑成像）实验期间连续监测BAC变化的MRI兼容设备。拟议中的ReBAA创新地将成熟的IRSBA（用于执法）与光纤技术相结合，以将IR传输到MR环境和从MR环境传输。位于测试对象旁边的气体室收集并对测试对象的呼出气体进行红外光谱分析。该设计将IR源和询问电子设备移动到MR环境之外。用户界面显示BAC，并且还将实时BAC连续上传到正在处理功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）的MRI系统或计算机。ReBAA可在MRI环境中连续测量BAC，并提供与商业IRSBA仪器相当的测量精度和范围（0.00至0.06% BAC [g/210 L]; 0至3.00 mg/L）。其模块化特性允许与MRI系统兼容并易于集成，由于光学气室非常接近测试对象，因此不会出现呼吸不适/阻塞。该SBIR项目的第一阶段将在概念验证原型中展示全光学IRSBA测量的可行性，并展示BAC的精确测量。第一阶段的研究结果将在第二阶段产生一个功能齐全的ReBAA原型，该原型将为临床前测试做好准备，这将为第三阶段的临床测试打开大门。 公共卫生相关性：酒精的过度消费导致美国每年的总经济成本估计为1 850亿美元，其中近一半的成本来自与酒精有关的残疾造成的生产力损失。更好和更精确地了解酒精对大脑功能的影响可以通过使用与磁共振环境兼容的血液酒精分析仪来实现，例如功能性磁共振成像，以连续监测血液酒精浓度，从而促进更好地了解酒精对大脑的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Remote Blood Alcohol Analyzer (ReBAA) based on all-optical fiber-based infrared (IR) spectrometry breath analysis (IRSBA) to meet a critical need for monitoring blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment (06-A-105). Measuring BAC during MRI is critical in gaining better understanding of the effects of alcohol on brain function; specifically, there is an acute need for an MRI-compatible device capable of continuously monitoring the changes in BAC during MRI (brain-imaging) experiments. The proposed ReBAA innovatively combines proven IRSBA (used in law enforcement) with fiber optic technology to transmit IR to and from the MR environment. A nonmagnetic gas chamber, located next to the test subject, collects and performs IR spectroscopy on the test subject's exhaled air. This design moves the IR source and interrogation electronics outside of the MR environment. A user interface displays the BAC and also uploads the real-time BAC continuously to the MRI system or computer that is processing the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The ReBAA offers continuous measurement of BAC in an MRI environment and offers a measurement accuracy and range (0.00 to 0.06% BAC [g/210 L]; 0 to 3.00 mg/L) that is comparable to commercial IRSBA instrumentation. Its modular nature allows compatibility and ease of integration with an MRI system with no breathing discomfort/obstruction because of the close proximity of the optical gas chamber to the test subject. Phase I of this SBIR project will demonstrate feasibility of the all-optical IRSBA measurement in a proof-of-concept prototype and demonstrate precision measurement of BAC. Research findings from Phase I will lead to a fully functional ReBAA prototype in Phase II that will be ready for preclinical testing that will open the doors for clinical testing in Phase III. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The excessive consumption of alcohol resulted in a total economical cost to the United States of an estimated $185 billion annually, with almost half of the cost being from lost productivity due to alcohol-related disabilities. Better and more precise understanding of alcohol's effects on brain functioning can be accomplished through the use a blood alcohol analyzer compatible with a magnetic resonance environment such as functional magnetic resonance imaging to continuously monitor blood alcohol concentration and thus facilitate better understanding of alcohols effects on the brain.