Particulate detection and air advice provision

Abstract

A novel basic allergen / particulate data collection device and a novel multi-function personal air quality management device are disclosed. Both devices include sensor sub-assembly detecting and reporting on allergen / particulate data (preferably, for allergen / particulate with sizes smaller than 5 micron) for an indoor location (where the asthma patient is situated). Both devices are communication enabled to allow the allergen / particulate data to be provided to an air / asthma advice server, to generate air / asthma advice for an asthma patient, taking into consideration the allergen / particulate data as well as air quality data for a surrounding outdoor area of the indoor location. In one embodiment of the basic device, the communication interface is tailored for “harsh environment” local area networking. When combined with its streamlined functionality, the device is particularly suitable (especially in terms of economics) for multiple deployment (along with a “base station”), such as in the case of an home application. In one embodiment of the multi-function device, the communication interface is tailored for “controlled environment” wide area networking. When combined with its rich functionality, the device is particularly suitable for standalone deployment, such as in the case of a professional application. Various alterations and modifications of different embodiments are also disclosed.

Description

[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 387,041 filed on Aug. 31, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,133.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the field of medical devices and advising systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to allergen detection and air or asthma related advising systems.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Asthma is a chronic disease that affects among other things, the lung functions of a patient. It is estimated that 6% to 9% of the population of the developed world are affected, and the number of diagnosed cases is growing at 5% per year, ten times the rate of population growth. The number of newly diagnosed cases of pediatric asthma has the health authorities of many countries consider asthma to be an epidemic. In United States, about 15 millions American are affected, making it the sixth ranked chronic disease of the country. About 5,500 people die from asthma ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In addition, thousands of work and school days are lost.

Although prevention is a high priority or even preferred aspect of the treatment plan for a patient, currently, very limited help is available to assist a patient to avoid asthma triggers, especially in the home setting.

This is because allergenic particles that are 50 microns or smaller in size are too small to see without a microscope.

However, both devices suffer from at least the following disadvantages:(a) neither devices are designed to detect respirable allergens that are smaller than 5 microns, which as mentioned above, have recently been identified by medical research as among the most relevant allergens to avoid;(b) both devices are only capable of generating an alarm based on the amount of allergens detected in the ambient air of the location of the monitoring device, which when located indoor, ignore the critical component of outdoor air quality (i.e. the air quality of the immediate outdoor area surrounding the indoor location);(c) the vertical sampling arrangement requires the use of extensive filtering and purging system;(d) the art ignores the role of humidity and temperature in the lung function;(e) maintaining, including cleaning, and calibrating these devices are difficult, requiring extensive disassembly and instrumentation; and(f) no provisions are provided for storing and communicating the collected data.

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