| abstract |
The 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. |