Fast SAW based sensor system for real-time analysis of volatile anesthetic agents

We present first studies of an exceedingly fast and cost-efficient sensor system for analysis of organic gases and vapors. Our new sensor concept combines specially designed surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator devices with a new and fast electronic evaluation circuitry in a specially developed SAW sensor micro array. Coating of SAW devices with different functionalized polymers facilitates high reliable qualitative and quantitative detection of organic vapors and multivapor mixtures. We illustrate the capability of our system by the analysis of established volatile anesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and enflurane). The new sensor concept fulfills all criteria needed for rapid, versatile and facile monitoring of the anesthetics in real-time with low costs per analysis. Particularly, the rapidity of our system permits direct and continuous real-time measurement of anesthetic gas components of patient's inhaled and exhaled breath during surgical operation.