New optical analyzer for 13C-breath test

Hermann Harde; Matthias Dressler; Günther Helmrich; Marcus Wolff; Hinrich Groninga

doi:10.1117/12.781271

2 May 2008 New optical analyzer for ¹³C-breath test

Hermann Harde, Matthias Dressler, Günther Helmrich, Marcus Wolff, Hinrich Groninga

Proceedings Volume 6991, Biophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care; 69910T (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.781271
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2008, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Medical breath tests are well established diagnostic tools, predominantly for gastroenterological inspections, but also for many other examinations. Since the composition and concentration of exhaled volatile gases reflect the physical condition of a patient, a breath analysis allows one to recognize an infectious disease in an organ or even to identify a tumor. One of the most prominent breath tests is the ¹³C-urea-breath test, applied to ascertain the presence of the bacterium helicobacter pylori in the stomach wall as an indication of a gastric ulcer. In this contribution we present a new optical analyzer that is based on photoacoustic spectroscopy and uses a DFB diode laser at 2.744 μm. The concentration ratio of the CO₂ isotopologues is determined by measuring the absorption on a ¹³CO₂ line in comparison to a ¹²CO₂ line. In the specially selected spectral range the lines have similar strengths, although the concentrations differ by a factor of 90. Therefore, the signals are well comparable. Due to an excellent signal-noise-ratio isotope variations of less than 1% can be resolved as required for the breath test.

Citation Download Citation

Hermann Harde, Matthias Dressler, Günther Helmrich, Marcus Wolff, and Hinrich Groninga "New optical analyzer for ¹³C-breath test", Proc. SPIE 6991, Biophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care, 69910T (2 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.781271

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available