JPH09243627A - Exhalation analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) 【Abstract】 PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability, shorten time, and effectively use carrier gas when starting and stopping an exhalation analyzer. A breath analyzer 10 includes a column 12 for separating components contained in the breath sample A by passing the breath sample A, and ionization for irradiating the components separated by the column 12 with light for ionization. Lamp 14
A detector 16 that incorporates the ionization lamp 14 and that detects ionized components; a solenoid valve 18 that supplies a carrier gas to the detector 16 and the column 12; and a column heater 12H that heats the column 12 to a column set temperature.
And a detector heater 16H that heats the detector 16 to a detector set temperature, and a main controller 20 that controls the operations of the ionization lamp 14, the solenoid valve 18, the detector 16, the detector heater 16H, and the column heater 12H. It is a thing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a breath analyzer for analyzing components contained in exhaled breath using gas chromatography in the medical field, health industry, drunk driving enforcement, drug investigation, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 6-58919, a breath analyzer for collecting and analyzing the breath of a subject has been developed. Breath analyzers are, for example, breath analysis for clinical tests in the medical field and monitoring of patient condition, measurement of work environment and indoor environment in the industrial field, drunk driving control and drug control in the police field, and firefighting field. It is used in a wide range of fields such as fire cause investigation and health care in the health industry field.

[0003] A conventional breath analyzer comprises a column for separating components contained in the breath sample by passing the breath sample, and an ionization lamp for irradiating the components separated by the column with light for ionization. A detector incorporating the ionization lamp and detecting the ionized component, a manual valve for supplying a carrier gas to the detector and the column, a column heater for heating the column to a column set temperature, And a detector heater for heating the detector to a detector set temperature.

When a breath sample is sent to a column together with a carrier gas, the components of the breath sample are separated by a difference in retention time. The separated components are ionized by an ionization lamp and then detected by a detector as an ion current.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an example of startup and shutdown operations in a conventional breath analyzer. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this drawing.

(I) Start-up operation

First, the detector and the column are purged by opening the manual valve and supplying the carrier gas. The time required for purging is at least 3 minutes.

Subsequently, the detector heater is turned on, and when the detector reaches the detector set temperature (120 ° C.), the column heater is turned on. The time required for the detector temperature to rise from 20 ° C to 120 ° C is about 10 minutes. When the column is heated, components remaining in the column are eliminated. At this time, if the temperature of the detector is lower than that of the column, the desorbed components adhere to the detector as contaminants, and the accuracy of the detector decreases. Therefore, the detector heater is turned on before the column heater.

When the column reaches the column set temperature (100 ° C.), the ionization lamp is turned on. Column from 20 ℃
It takes about 3 minutes to reach 100 ° C. Even if the ionization lamp is turned on first, the analysis operation cannot be started until the operation of the detector is stabilized. Therefore, the ionization lamp is turned on last to extend the usable period. After a certain time (30 minutes) has passed after turning on the ionization lamp, preparation for analysis is completed. The time of 30 minutes is the time until the residual component desorbed from the column decreases and the operation of the detector becomes stable, and is obtained empirically.

(II) Shutdown operation

First, the ionization lamp is turned off and the column heater is turned off. When the column cools to room temperature, turn off the detector heater. Column from 100 ° C
It takes about 3 minutes to reach 20 ° C. Subsequently, when the detector has cooled to room temperature, the manual valve is closed after a certain time (5 minutes). The time required for the detector to go from 120 ° C to 20 ° C is about 30 minutes.

[0012]

However, the conventional breath analyzer has the following problems since the start-up and the shut-down operations are all performed manually.

(A) Since the start-up and fall-down operations are troublesome, it takes time for the operator to become proficient. Therefore, workability has been reduced.

(B) In the above example, the startup operation is 46
Minutes, the shutdown operation is 38 minutes. Naturally, the shorter the time required for the start-up and the lowering operations, the better, but it is difficult to further reduce the time. Also,
In the above example, for example, the column heater is turned on immediately after the detector reaches the detector set temperature. But,
In practice, for example, it takes time for the operator to notice this and turn on the column heater after reaching the detector set temperature. Thus, manual operation always involves loss time. Therefore, the start-up and the shut-down operations take time.

(C) As described above, the time required for purging may be 3 minutes. However, the worker may forget this time or be late in noticing this time.
Therefore, in such a case, the carrier gas may be wasted.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a breath analyzer that can improve workability, reduce time, and effectively use a carrier gas when starting and shutting down.

[0017]

A breath analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a column for separating components contained in the breath sample by allowing the breath sample to pass through, and a component separated by this column are detected. A detector, a column heater that heats the column, a detector heater that heats the detector to a set temperature, and a main controller that controls the operations of the detector heater and the column heater.

The main controller of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 1 starts heating of the column heater after starting heating of the detector heater and before the temperature of the detector reaches the preset temperature. A main controller of the breath analyzer according to claim 2 terminates the heating of the detector heater when the column temperature drops to a certain ratio of the preset temperature after the termination of the heating of the column heater.

It is practically impossible to start the heating of the column heater before the detector reaches the set temperature, because the operator must always pay attention to the temperature of the detector manually. However, it is easy to perform this automatically as in the present invention. Therefore, in the present invention, the start-up time is significantly shortened as compared with the case where the heating of the column heater is started after the detector reaches the set temperature.
Similarly, when the column drops to a certain percentage of the set temperature,
Terminating the heating of the detector heater is practically impossible by hand, but easy by automation. Therefore, in the present invention, the fall time is shortened as compared with the case where the heating of the detector heater is terminated when the column temperature drops to room temperature.

The breath analyzer according to claim 3, 4 or 5 irradiates the column separated by passing the breath sample with the component contained in the breath sample, and the component separated by this column with light. And an ionization lamp for ionizing the ionization lamp, a detector that incorporates the ionization lamp and detects the ionized component, and a solenoid valve that supplies a carrier gas to the detector and the column,
A column heater that heats the column to a column set temperature, a detector heater that heats the detector to a detector set temperature, the ionization lamp, the solenoid valve, the detector,
And a main controller that controls the operations of the detector heater and the column heater.

The main control unit of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 3 is. After the solenoid valve is opened for a certain period of time ,. Start heating the detector heater ,. Before the detector reaches the detector set temperature, heating of the column heater is started ,. Before the column reaches the column set temperature, turn on the ionization lamp ,. When the slope sensitivity of the detector falls below a certain value, a ready signal is output.

The main control unit of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 4 is: The ionization lamp is turned off, the heating of the column heater is terminated ,. When the column temperature drops to a certain rate of the column set temperature, heating of the detector heater is terminated ,. The electromagnetic valve is closed after a lapse of a certain time after the detector has fallen to a certain ratio of the detector set temperature.

The main control unit of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 5 executes the above steps.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a breath analyzer according to the present invention. 2 and 3 show FIG.
It is a partial enlarged view of the injection valve in the,
FIG. 2 shows a case in which a flow path for exhalation suction and rise and fall are selected, and FIG. 3 shows a case in which a flow path for analysis is selected. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings.

The breath analyzer 10 according to the present invention irradiates the column 12 for separating the components contained in the breath sample A by passing the breath sample A, and irradiating the components separated by the column 12 with light. An ionization lamp 14 for ionizing, a detector 16 for containing the ionization lamp 14 and detecting an ionized component, and a detector 16
And a solenoid valve 18 for supplying a carrier gas C to the column 12
A column heater 12H that heats the column 12 to the column set temperature, a detector heater 16H that heats the detector 16 to the detector set temperature, the ionization lamp 14, and the solenoid valve 1.
8, a main controller 20 for controlling the operation of the detector 16, the detector heater 16H, and the column heater 12H.

The ionization lamp 14 is an ultraviolet lamp. The column heater 12H is a thermostat provided with a heating element (not shown), a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller. The detector heater 16H includes a heating element (not shown), a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller. The main controller 20 is a CP
U, ROM, RAM, a microcomputer including an input / output interface, etc., and a computer program stored in the ROM, etc., and analysis data output from the detector 16 in addition to the startup and shutdown functions described below. It also has a data processing function for processing.

The exhalation analyzer 10 of this embodiment includes a pressure sensor 30, an exhalation pipe 32, and an exhalation pipe heater 32.
H, exhalation introduction tube 36, exhalation introduction tube heater 36H, filter 38, injection valve 40, injection valve heater 40H, metering tube 42, pump 44, gas cylinder 46, carrier gas controller 48, analysis control unit 50, display lamp 52, standing lamp An up switch 54, a down switch 56, and the like are provided. Although the exhalation discharge tube heater 32H, the exhalation introduction tube heater 36H, the injection valve heater 40H, the column heater 12H, and the detector heater 16H are shown apart from each other for easy understanding, the piping is not actually exposed. Are installed close to each other.

The expiratory discharge tube 32 is a glass tube having a bulge formed in the center thereof, and the expiratory air A'is blown into the expiratory tube 32.
The exhalation discharge tube heater 32H includes a heating element (not shown), a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller.
Is heated to a constant temperature. The pressure sensor 30 detects a pressure increase of the exhalation A ′ in the exhalation discharge pipe 32 and outputs a sampling start signal to the analysis control unit 50. Exhalation induction tube 36
Measures the exhalation A ′ blown into the exhalation discharge pipe 32
2 is a flow path for filling. Expiratory tube heater 36
H is constituted by a heating element (not shown), a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller, and heats the exhalation introduction tube 36 to a constant temperature. The injection valve 40 is composed of a rotary valve including ports 1 to 6 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and an actuator (not shown), and based on a control signal output from the analysis control unit 50, a flow path of the exhalation A ′ and the carrier gas C. Switch. The injection valve heater 40H is a thermostat provided with a heating element (not shown), a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller.
Is heated to a constant temperature. The measuring tube 42 holds the breath A 'as a breath sample A having a constant volume. The pump 44 is, for example, a diaphragm pump, and sucks the exhalation A ′ in the exhalation discharge pipe 32 to fill the metering pipe 42. Gas cylinder 46
Is filled with a carrier gas C such as nitrogen, helium or air. The carrier gas controller 48 includes a pressure regulating valve and a mass flow controller,
The pressure and the flow rate of the carrier gas C flowing to 2 are adjusted. The analysis control unit 50 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, and includes the injection valve 40 and the pump 44.
Control. The display lamp 52 is turned on by the preparation completion signal output from the main control unit 20.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show an exhalation analyzer 10.
4 shows an example of the start-up and fall-down operations in FIG.
Is a flowchart of the starting operation, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the falling operation, and FIG. 6 is a time chart. Hereinafter, the operation of the breath analyzer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the exhalation analyzer 10 in this example is shown in FIG.
In contrast to the conventional exhalation analyzer of the above, the manual valve is replaced with a solenoid valve 18 and a main control unit 20 is additionally provided.
Therefore, except for these points, the breath analysis device 10 in this example and the conventional breath analysis device in FIG. 7 have the same configuration.

(1) Exhalation suction operation

In addition to the analysis, the exhalation analyzer 10 can also perform exhalation suction by filling the metering tube 42 with the exhalation sample A. First, injection valve 4
A flow path for exhalation suction (FIG. 2) is selected by 0.
When the subject blows the exhalation A 'into the exhalation discharge pipe 32, the pump 44 is operated for a predetermined time in response. At this time, the exhaled breath A ′ is the exhaled breath discharge pipe 32 → exhaled breath introduction pipe 36 → filter 38 → injection valve 40 (measuring pipe 4
2) → pump 44 → discharge flows. As a result, the exhaled breath A ′ is filled in the measuring tube 42 as the exhaled breath sample A.

(2) Startup operation

When the operator presses the start-up switch 54,
The start-up operation by the main control unit 20 starts. First, the injection valve 40 is caused to select a flow path for rising and falling (FIG. 2) via the analysis control unit 50, and the electromagnetic valve 18 is opened (step 101, where the starting point, ie, 0
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step 102). As a result, the carrier gas C changes from the gas cylinder 46 to the solenoid valve 18 to the carrier gas controller 4
8 → injection valve 40 → column 12 → detector 16 → discharge so that the column 12 and the detector 16 are purged. The fixed time is 3 minutes. After a certain period of time, the detector heater 16H is turned on (step 10
After a lapse of 3 or 3 minutes), it is determined whether or not the detector 16 has reached a certain ratio of the detector set temperature (step 104), and when the certain ratio is reached, the column heater 12H is turned on (steps 105 and 8 minutes have elapsed). ). The detector set temperature is 120 ° C, and the fixed ratio is 60% or about 70 ° C. The fixed ratio is set to a value such that the temperature of the column 12 becomes higher than that of the detector 16 and the accuracy of the detector 16 is not degraded. Then, it is judged whether or not the column 12 has reached a fixed rate of the column set temperature (step 106), and when the fixed rate is reached, the ionization lamp 14 is turned on (steps 107 and 10 minutes have elapsed). The column set temperature is 100 ° C and the fixed ratio is 80% or 80 ° C. This fixed ratio is because the operation of the ionization lamp 14 is stable while the operation of the detector 16 is not stable, and
4 is set to a value that does not shorten the usable period. Subsequently, when the output signal of the detector 16 falls below a certain value (for example, 3 V), the slope sensitivity starts to be checked, and it is determined whether or not the slope sensitivity has fallen below a certain value (for example, 200 μV / min) (step). 108). When the slope sensitivity becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the display lamp 52 is turned on by outputting a preparation completion signal (step 109, 37 minutes have elapsed). The fact that the slope sensitivity is below a certain value means that the residual component desorbed from the column 12 is reduced and the operation of the detector 16 is stabilized.
In this way, the start-up time, which conventionally required at least 46 minutes, can be reduced to 37 minutes.

(3) Analysis operation

The injection valve 40 is caused to select a flow path for analysis (FIG. 3) through the analysis control unit 50. Thereby, the carrier gas C is supplied from the gas cylinder 46 to the solenoid valve 1
8 → Carrier gas controller 48 → Injection valve 40 (metering tube 42) → Column 12 → Detector 16 →
The breath sample A filled in the metering tube 42
Also flows with the carrier gas C and passes through the column 12 and the detector 16. Each component contained in the breath sample A
By being separated by the column 12, the light is detected by the detector 16 with a time difference. Detector 16 and main control unit 2
At 0, qualitative analysis is performed based on the volume (retention capacity) or time (retention time) of the carrier gas C from the injection of the breath sample A until the separation zone of each component comes out, and the peak area or the peak height is used. Quantitative analysis is performed.

(4) Falling operation

When the operator presses the fall switch 56,
The fall operation by the main control unit 20 starts. First, the injection valve 40 is selected via the analysis control section 50 to select a flow path for rising and falling (FIG. 2), the ionization lamp 14 is turned off, and the column heater 1 is turned off.
2H is turned off (step 201, this is the starting point, that is, 0 minutes). Then, it is judged whether or not the column 12 has dropped to a certain rate of the column set temperature (step 20).
2) When the temperature falls to a fixed rate, the detector heater 16H is turned off (step 203, 1 minute has elapsed). The column set temperature is 100 ° C and the fixed ratio is 70% or 70 ° C.
The fixed ratio is set to a value such that the temperature of the detector 16 becomes lower than that of the column 12 and the accuracy of the detector 16 is not degraded. Then, it is judged whether or not the detector 16 has dropped to a certain ratio of the detector set temperature (step 20).
4) When the temperature has dropped to a fixed rate, it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed (steps 205 and 31 minutes elapsed), and the solenoid valve 18 is closed after the fixed time has elapsed (steps 206 and 36 minutes elapsed). The set temperature of the detector is 120 ° C, and the fixed ratio is about
17% or 20 ° C. Also, the fixed time is 5 minutes. The constant ratio and the constant time are set to values such that the detector 16 is not exposed to the outside air at a high temperature and the performance of the detector 16 is not deteriorated. In this way, it is possible to reduce the shutdown time, which conventionally required at least 38 minutes, to 36 minutes.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the main control unit may be configured by a relay, a timer, a logic IC, etc. instead of the microcomputer. Further, even if "constant temperature" is used instead of "constant ratio", these are substantially synonymous.

[0039]

The main controller of the exhalation analyzer according to the first, third or fifth aspect of the invention starts heating the column heater before the detector reaches the set temperature. This operation can be realized for the first time by providing the main control unit, and cannot be actually realized by the conventional manual operation. Therefore, as compared with the case where the heating of the column heater is started after the detector reaches the set temperature, the start-up time can be significantly shortened. Moreover, the automation makes it easy for anyone to operate, so that the workability can be improved.

The main controller of the breath analyzer according to the second, fourth or fifth aspect terminates the heating of the detector heater when the temperature of the column drops to a certain rate. This operation can be realized for the first time by providing the main control unit, and cannot be actually realized by the conventional manual operation.
Therefore, the fall time can be shortened as compared with the case where the heating of the detector heater is terminated when the column temperature drops to room temperature. Moreover, the automation makes it easy for anyone to operate, so that the workability can be improved.

The main control unit of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 3 comprises: After opening the solenoid valve for a certain period of time ,. Start heating the detector heater ,. Before the detector reaches the detector set temperature, heating of the column heater is started ,. Before the column reaches the column set temperature, turn on the ionization lamp ,. When the detector slope sensitivity falls below a certain level, a ready signal is output.

Therefore, since the main controller opens the electromagnetic valve and starts heating the detector heater after a lapse of a certain period of time, it is possible to prevent the operator from continuously flowing the carrier gas unnecessarily, so that the carrier gas is effectively used. It can also be used for quick start-up. In addition, because it is automated, anyone can easily operate it,
Workability can also be improved.

The main controller also turns on the ionization lamp before the column reaches the column set temperature. This operation can be realized for the first time by providing the main control unit, and cannot be actually realized by the conventional manual operation. Therefore, as compared with the case where the ionization lamp is turned on after the column reaches the column set temperature, the start-up time can be significantly shortened. Moreover, the automation makes it easy for anyone to operate, so that the workability can be improved.

Further, the main control section outputs a preparation completion signal when the slope sensitivity of the detector becomes a certain value or less. This operation can be realized for the first time by providing the main control unit, and cannot be actually realized by the conventional manual operation. Therefore, compared to the case where it is determined that the preparation is completed after a certain time has passed after turning on the ionization lamp,
Since it can be accurately determined that the detector operation is stable,
Start-up time can be shortened. Moreover, the automation makes it easy for anyone to operate, so that the workability can be improved.

The main control unit of the exhalation analyzer according to claim 4 is: Turn off the ionization lamp and stop heating the column heater. When the column temperature drops to a certain rate of the column set temperature, heating of the detector heater is terminated ,. The solenoid valve is closed after a certain period of time has passed since the detector dropped to a certain rate of the detector set temperature.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from unnecessarily continuing to flow the carrier gas by closing the electromagnetic valve by the main control unit after a lapse of a certain time after the detector has dropped to a certain ratio of the detector set temperature. As a result, the carrier gas can be effectively used and the time required for the shutdown can be shortened. Moreover, the automation makes it easy for anyone to operate, so that the workability can be improved.

The main control unit of the breath analyzer according to the fifth aspect executes the above steps. Therefore, the fall time and the rise time can be shortened. Moreover, by completely automating the startup and the shutdown, anyone can easily operate it, which further improves workability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a breath analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing an injection valve in FIG. 1, in a case where a flow path for exhalation suction and a flow path for rise and fall are selected.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing an injection valve in FIG. 1 when a flow path for analysis is selected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a start-up operation in the breath analysis device of FIG.

5 is a flow chart showing an example of a falling operation in the exhalation analyzer of FIG.

6 is a time chart showing an example of a fall and a fall operation in the exhalation analyzer of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an example of a fall and a fall operation in the conventional breath analyzer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Breath analyzer 12 Column 12H Column heater 14 Ionization lamp 16 Detector 16H Detector heater 18 Solenoid valve 20 Main control part A Breath sample C Carrier gas

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A column for separating components contained in the breath sample by passing the breath sample, a detector for detecting the components separated by the column, a column heater for heating the column, and the detector. A detector heater that heats the detector heater to a set temperature, and a main controller that controls the operations of the detector heater and the column heater. The main controller starts the heating of the detector heater and then performs the detection. An exhalation analyzer which starts heating of the column heater before the chamber reaches the set temperature. 2. A column for separating components contained in the breath sample by passing the breath sample, a detector for detecting the components separated by the column, and a column heater for heating the column to a set temperature. A detector heater that heats the detector, and a main control unit that controls operations of the detector heater and the column heater are provided, and the main control unit is configured such that the column is heated after the heating of the column heater is finished. An exhalation analyzer that terminates heating of the detector heater when the temperature falls to a certain rate of the set temperature. 3. A column for separating components contained in the exhaled sample by passing the exhaled sample, an ionization lamp for irradiating the components separated by this column with light to be ionized, and the ionization lamp. A built-in detector for detecting the ionized component, a solenoid valve for supplying a carrier gas to the detector and the column, a column heater for heating the column to a column set temperature, and the detector set for the detector A detector heater for heating to a temperature and a main control unit for controlling the operations of the ionization lamp, the solenoid valve, the detector, the detector heater, and the column heater are provided, and the main control unit includes the solenoid valve. After a certain period of opening, heating of the detector heater is started, and before the detector reaches the detector set temperature, the column The heating of the data is started, the ionization lamp is turned on before the column reaches the column set temperature, and a preparation completion signal is output when the slope sensitivity of the detector becomes equal to or lower than a certain value. . 4. A column for separating components contained in the exhaled breath sample by passing the exhaled breath sample, an ionization lamp for irradiating the components separated by this column with light for ionization, and the ionization lamp. A built-in detector for detecting the ionized component, a solenoid valve for supplying a carrier gas to the detector and the column, a column heater for heating the column to a column set temperature, and the detector set for the detector A detector heater that heats to a temperature and a main controller that controls the operations of the ionization lamp, the solenoid valve, the detector, the detector heater, and the column heater are provided, and the main controller includes the ionization lamp. When the column heater is turned off and the heating of the column heater is terminated, the column is cooled down to a certain ratio of the column set temperature. When the temperature rises, the heating of the detector heater is terminated, and the electromagnetic valve is closed after a lapse of a certain time after the detector has dropped to a certain ratio of the detector set temperature, the breath analyzer. 5. A column for separating components contained in the exhaled breath sample by passing the exhaled breath sample, an ionization lamp for irradiating the components separated by this column with light for ionization, and the ionization lamp. A built-in detector for detecting the ionized component, a solenoid valve for supplying a carrier gas to the detector and the column, a column heater for heating the column to a column set temperature, and the detector set for the detector A detector heater for heating to a temperature and a main controller for controlling the operations of the ionization lamp, the solenoid valve, the detector, the detector heater, and the column heater are provided. After opening the solenoid valve for a certain period of time, the heating of the detector heater is started, and the detector reaches the detector set temperature. Before heating the column heater, before turning on the ionization lamp before the column reaches the column set temperature, and outputs a ready signal when the slope sensitivity of the detector is below a certain value. At the time of shutting down, the ionization lamp is turned off, the heating of the column heater is terminated, and when the column is lowered to a certain ratio of the column set temperature, the heating of the detector heater is terminated, the detector An exhalation analyzer, wherein the solenoid valve is closed after a lapse of a certain period of time from when the temperature of the detector has dropped to a certain ratio.