title: Development of high-resolution real-time sub-ppb ethane spectroscopy and some pilot studies in life science.
abstract: We describe a high-resolution real-time spectroscopy system targeted to ethane gas with sensitivity > or = 70 ppt and response time from > or = 0.7 s. The measurement technique is based on a mid-IR lead-salt laser passing through a Herriott cell through which a gas sample flows. We compare wavelength scanning and locked configurations and discuss their relative merits. The technology has been motivated by clinical breath testing applications, ethane being widely regarded as the most important breath biomarker for cell damage via free-radical-mediated oxidative attack. We discuss preliminary human and animal studies in which ultrasensitive real-time ethane detection offers new diagnostic and monitoring potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Glasgow University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ Scotland, United Kingdom. k.skeldon@physics.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Skeldon
authors.forename: Graham M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Cathy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wyse
authors.forename: Lesley C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: Steve D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Longbottom
authors.forename: Miles J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Padgett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D004980:Ethane / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009862:Online Systems; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004980:Ethane