Owensboro, Kentucky Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Lion Laboratories Limited has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for innovation in breath alcohol analysis. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 4707336, titled ‘Apparatus for gas analysis’, uses a compact, microprocessor-controlled device to measure breath alcohol content with improved accuracy and speed.
This groundbreaking technology enables law enforcement and safety officials to perform roadside alcohol testing more reliably. The device features a breath sample inlet connected to an electrochemical sensor that responds to alcohol in exhaled air. A built-in microprocessor analyzes the data and displays results quickly, reducing the chance of human error.
What sets this invention apart is its portability and automation. Unlike earlier bulky or manual systems, this breathalyzer simplifies testing procedures and enhances reliability. Its design ensures that only deep-lung air, which offers the most accurate alcohol measurement, is analyzed.
Lion Laboratories’ innovation has had a lasting impact on road safety and legal enforcement. It helped set a global standard for personal and professional breath testing, contributing to reduced drunk driving incidents over the decades.
Although the patent dates back to 1987, the technology remains a cornerstone of modern alcohol detection tools. Recognizing its long-standing influence, the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year award honors how this invention transformed public safety through science.