DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING A BILATERAL DIFFERENTIAL IN OLFACTORY THRESHOLD FOR PURE ODORANTS

摘要

The present system is directed in various embodiments to devices, systems and methods for detection, evaluation and/or monitoring olfactory dysfunction by measuring and determining the patient's olfactory detection threshold for the left and the right nostril. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for detecting an asymmetric differential in a patient's olfactory detection threshold (left vs right nostril) which, when present, may be used as a device to detect, diagnose and/or monitor olfactory deterioration resulting from certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

主权项

1. A nasal testing device for detecting a patient's pure odorant bilateral olfactory detection threshold for a nostril, comprising:
a housing, the housing comprising:
at least one nasal tip having a lumen therethrough;a pure odorant compartment defined within the housing, wherein an effective amount of pure odorant is located;a clear airway passage defined within the housing and in switchable fluid communication with a clear air source and the lumen of the at least one nasal tip;an aroma airway passage defined within the housing and in switchable fluid communication with the pure odorant compartment, the pure odorant located therein and the lumen of the at least one nasal tip;an actuating switching mechanism in operational communication with the clear airway passage and with the aroma airway passage;wherein the lumen of the at least one nasal tip may be switched into fluid communication with the aroma airway passage and pure odorant compartment to access the pure odorant and out of fluid communication with the clear airway passage and the clear air source when the switching mechanism is switched to aroma airway mode; andwherein the lumen of the at least one nasal tip may be switched into fluid communication with the clear airway passage and clear air source and out of fluid communication with the aroma airway passage, pure odorant compartment and pure odorant when the switching mechanism is switched to clear airway mode.