A SYSTEM TO BE USED FOR THE DETERMINATION OF NO LEVELS IN EXHALED AIR AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR DISORDERS RELATED TO ABNORMAL NO LEVELS

摘要

A sytem to be used for measuring NO levels in exhaled breathing air. The system comprises: (i) a face mask (1) that tightly covers the nose and/or mouth of the individual that the mask is intended to be used on; (ii) an inlet unit (2) for inhaled breathing air; (iii) an outlet unit (3) for exhaled breathing air; (iv) a non-rebreathing valve (5) through which inhaled and exhaled breathing air, respectively, passes, and (v) a measuring unit for NO (4) connected to the outlet unit (3). A method for the diagnosis in mammals of inflammatory conditions in the airways. The characteristic feature is that nitric oxide NO is measured in exhaled breathing air and a found abnormal level is taken as an indication of an inflammatory condition in the airways.