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

PCT No. PCT/SE94/00659 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 5, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 5, 1996 PCT Filed Jul. 4, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/02181 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 19, 1995The present invention is drawn to a system to be used for measuring NO levels in exhaled breathing air. The system comprises: (i) a face mask that tightly covers the nose and/or mouth of the individual that the mask is intended to be used on; (ii) an inlet unit for inhaled breathing air, (iii) an outlet unit for exhaled breathing air, (iv) a non-rebreathing valve through which inhaled and exhaled breathing air, respectively, passes, and (v) a measuring unit for NO connected to the outlet unit. The present invention furthers encompasses 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.