Group 12			2009-2010
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Introduction	The breath condensation device will be utilized by patients with various pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.  The device will be designed for use in doctors’ offices and in the patient’s home. The current collection process for breath condensation is complicated and requires several steps. A complex network of cooling tubes, a cooling machine, and a refrigeration circuit comprise the current device. Once the condensate is collected it must be removed and analyzed using external methods such as electrochemistry and spectroscopy.
Problem Statement	Numerous chemicals are present in the condensate of exhaled breath. If the condensate is collected, the chemicals contained within the fluid can be analyzed, providing valuable insight on the condition of metabolic and disease activity in a patient’s lungs. Current breath condensate collection methods are considered problematic due to the fact that large samples of condensate are required to obtain an accurate analysis. In addition, current EBC (external breath condensate) collection devices take more than fifteen minutes to collect an ample amount of condensate.
Objective	Construct a handheld breath condensation device that is efficient and accurate enough to give a reading in less than fifteen minutes. The device must collect EBC for external analysis to determine if his/her body has responded with inflammation due to personal habits and/or his/her respective pulmonary disease. The ultimate goal is to produce a product that is cost effective and user friendly enough that it can be utilized in a doctor’s office or a patient’s home.
Constraints	The breath condensation device needs to be small enough that a child can hold it while it is in use.  This will be accomplished by separating the housing unit and mouthpiece. Therefore, the patient will only be required to hold the mouthpiece, which will channel their expired breath into the housing for condensation.  Additionally, the device will be made in such a way that certain parts can be cleaned and/or replaced after each use. The device must also be efficient enough to collect an accurate sample in less than fifteen minutes of use. Next, the device should allow, not inhibit normal breathing while being utilized. Finally, the device should be cost effective enough to be used in a doctor’s office.  Due to monetary constraints set forth by the $1,500 budget, real-time feedback sensors will not be included in the final design.