Noninvasive Skin Respiration (CO2) Measurement Based on Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

Anal Chem. 2023 Apr 11;95(14):6138-6144. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00536. Epub 2023 Mar 28.

Abstract

A noninvasive method for disease diagnosis that does not require complex specialized laboratory facilities and chemical reagents is particularly attractive in the current medical environment. Here, we develop a noninvasive skin respiration sensor based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) that can monitor the skin elimination rate of carbon dioxide (CO2). A 3.8 mW distributed feedback laser emitting at 2.0 μm is used as an excitation source, and a three-dimensional (3D)-printed acoustic detection module is designed to apply to the skin as a sensor head. The performance of the noninvasive skin respiration sensor is assessed in terms of detection sensitivity, linearity, long-term stability, and water effect. A minimum detection limit of 35 ppb is achieved at the optimal integration time of 670 s. The skin respiration measurements from eight healthy volunteers are recorded, and the real-time results are analyzed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Humans
  • Lasers
  • Photoacoustic Techniques* / methods
  • Quartz / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Quartz