Breath analysis using CMOS device

Cambridge CMOS Sensors, a spin out from the Engineering Department, has developed a miniature breath analysis device capable of simultaneously detecting more than 35 biomarkers present in exhaled breath.

Analysing the composition of exhaled breath is a non-invasive and quick way to potentially identify a number of diseases, including diabetes, asthma and kindney diseases. The larger the number of simultaneously detected chemical species the more practical and accurate a breath sensor will be.

The sensor develpoed by Florian Udrea and Cambridge CMOS Sensors is based on broad band infrared absoprtion spectroscopy. A micro-hotplate fabricated using CMOS technology generates the required IR radiation between 2 and 14 μm. The mirco-hotplate is combined with a sample chamber and a broad band IR detector. The hotplate can be modulated at frequencies up to 100Hz, increasing the signal to noise ratio of the sensor. Using standard CMOS technology allows to miniaturise the device and fabricate low power, battery operated, highly accurate gas sensors.