Sensor for detecting an airborne disease, particularly a respiratory disease, and associated system and method.

Abstract

Sensor for detecting an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory disease, and associated system and method. The invention relates to a device 1 for determining an occurrence of an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory infection in an individual, comprising: - an infrared sensor or camera; - a microphone; - a sensor for measuring a number and size of particles and / or aerosols in ambient air; - a sensor for measuring a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration; - a temperature sensor of ambient air; - a relative humidity sensor of ambient air; and, - a barometric pressure sensor; . Figure for abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Sensor for detecting an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory disease, associated system and method.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of monitoring the health status of physical persons.

[0002] To avoid contamination or to limit the spread of an epidemic, it is important to detect the onset of a disease very early. This is particularly true for a respiratory disease, which can spread very quickly, carried by aerosols emitted by a patient, particularly when speaking or sneezing.

[0003] However, it is difficult for the patient to self-diagnose in the earliest stages of their illness. In addition, many people, especially elderly people, live alone. Also, a retirement home does not always have sufficient staff for constant monitoring of residents, especially at night.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to propose a device for early detection of the occurrence and progression of a respiratory disease in a physical person.

[0005] According to a first object of the invention, a device for determining the occurrence of a respiratory infection in an individual, comprises, to collect information locally:

[0006] - an infrared sensor or camera;

[0007] - a microphone;

[0008] - a sensor for measuring a number and size of particles and / or aerosols in ambient air;

[0009] - a sensor for measuring a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration;

[0010] - an ambient air temperature sensor;

[0011] - a sensor for the relative humidity of the ambient air; and,

[0012] - a barometric pressure sensor;

[0013] and, preferably:

[0014] - a radar or lidar which makes it possible to measure the number of people present and the distance between people; and / or,

[0015] - a sensor for measuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds, in particular in ethanol, dihydrogen (H2) or total volatile organic compounds (TVOC); and / or,

[0016] - an air flow sensor, in order to quantify a renewal of the interior air, the interior of a room in which the device is installed; and / or,

[0017] - an ultraviolet rate sensor, ultraviolet having an impact on survival of a virus in the air.

[0018] Such a device preferably comprises a geographic position sensor, preferably by satellite. It may also comprise processing means for the information collected.

[0019] It advantageously comprises wireless means for transmitting the collected information, raw or processed, to a remote server, preferably to a server in a cloud. It may comprise memory means for transmitting the collected information in a delayed manner.

[0020] A second object of the invention relates to a monitoring system which comprises at least one device according to the invention, a remote server for processing the information collected, and wireless means for transmitting the information processed by the remote server, either to the individual or to another person, said remote server preferably comprising an artificial intelligence algorithm making it possible to recognize a cough.

[0021] Advantageously, such a system comprises at least three devices according to the invention.

[0022] A third subject of the invention relates to a method for determining an occurrence of a pulmonary infection which comprises the use of a system according to the invention, and a measurement of a concentration of droplets having a diameter of between one-tenth of a micrometer (0.1 pm) and 150 micrometers (150 pm), and, preferably, for droplets whose diameter is less than one micrometer (1 pm), droplets whose diameter is greater than one micrometer (1 pm) and droplets whose diameter is greater than one hundred micrometers (100 pm).

[0023] A fourth object of the invention relates to a method for determining a geographical evolution of a pulmonary infection, using the data collected by a system comprising at least three devices according to the invention.

[0024] Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is an illustration of an example of the evolution of different symptomatic parameters during the first five days of contamination by a respiratory infection; and,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a system and method according to the invention, for determining the occurrence of a respiratory infection.

[0027] [Fig.l] represents, by way of example, curves each of which illustrates the evolution of a respective parameter P1-P6 during the first five days of a respiratory infection in an individual. In the example illustrated:

[0028] - a first PI curve illustrates a variation in body temperature of the individual;

[0029] - a second curve P2 illustrates a variation of a carbon dioxide level (CO2) in a room where the individual is staying;

[0030] - a third curve P3 illustrates a variation of the cough, for example of the frequency of coughing in the individual;

[0031] - a fourth curve P4 illustrates a variation in air temperature in a room where the individual stays;

[0032] - a fifth curve P5 illustrates a variation in the level of aerosols in a room where the individual is staying; and,

[0033] - a fifth curve P5 illustrates a variation in humidity in a room where the individual stays.

[0034] It can be seen from these curves that it is possible to evaluate the occurrence of a respiratory infection very early on from these parameters. Advantageously, a device 1 (see [Fig.2]) is proposed for detecting the occurrence of such an infection, in particular from one or more of the parameters.

[0035] The device 1 is a contactless multiparametric sensor combining measurements of physiological symptoms and measurements characterizing the environment. It is used to analyze a closed room 2 in order to evaluate the risk of respiratory infections. This room may be a bedroom in a residence for elderly or dependent people, or a living room of a dwelling.

[0036] The device is used in conjunction with an artificial intelligence solution based in a remote server, in the cloud 3, which generates an infection risk index and provides 4 alerts as well as recommendations for corrective actions.

[0037] This hardware and cloud solution provides key information to families, a proxy or a caregiver, for example, providing insight into the living conditions of elderly relatives, so they can make adjustments and act more quickly in the event of an alert. It helps older people improve their health and safety at home through early detection of respiratory infection risks. It is also an interesting solution for retirement homes, where it can prevent the spread of respiratory infections through early detection of risks in indoor spaces.

[0038] The measuring device comprises the following sensors for monitoring parameters corresponding to physiological symptoms:

[0039] - an infrared sensor or camera that can measure a temperature at distance, in particular, in particular the temperature of the human body at a distance but not only;

[0040] - a microphone supplemented by processing means implementing a artificial intelligence algorithm to recognize a cough; and,

[0041] - a radar or lidar which makes it possible to measure the number of people present and the distance between people.

[0042] It appears that measuring body temperature associated with coughing makes it possible to identify a respiratory infection in more than 90% of cases.

[0043] The measuring device also includes the following sensors for monitoring environmental parameters:

[0044] - a sensor for measuring a number and size of particles and / or aerosols in the air;

[0045] - a sensor for measuring a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration;

[0046] - a sensor for measuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds, in particular in ethanol, dihydrogen (H2) or total volatile organic compounds (TVOC);

[0047] - a surrounding air temperature sensor;

[0048] - a sensor for the relative humidity of the surrounding air; and,

[0049] - a barometric pressure sensor.

[0050] The device may also include a satellite geographic position sensor. Such a sensor is particularly advantageous if the premises it equips are mobile, for example a transport vehicle. This vehicle may be a school bus or a cruise ship, for example.

[0051] The device 1 further comprises remote transmission means 5, for transmitting the information collected in the premises to the remote server, in the cloud 3. Preferably, the transmission means are non-wired means, and may, for example, comprise cellular, Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi connection means. The absence of a wired connection makes it possible to maintain a flexible installation, in particular if the configuration of the premises is modified or if a monitored person moves.

[0052] The device may be designed to send the collected information in real time and / or include a memory for storing this information and sending it in a delayed manner.

[0053] The transmission means can also allow the device 1 to receive data, in particular configuration data and / or an update of software hosted in the processing means.

[0054] Measuring the concentration of aerosols, as well as their sizes, makes it possible to confirm the presence of a respiratory infection in at least one person present in the room. It has been identified that an infected person generates more aerosols and droplets when breathing, speaking or coughing compared to a healthy person.

[0055] In addition, the size of the droplets and aerosols makes it possible to identify their origin. Thus, depending on the areas:

[0056] - the film of bronchiolar liquid, during breathing, produces droplets of which the diameter is less than one micrometer (1 pm);

[0057] - the fluid that coats the respiratory tract is produced, in laryngeal mode, during coughing and speech, droplets whose diameter is greater than one micrometer (1 pm); and,

[0058] - the droplets coming from the cavity during coughing and speech, have a diameter greater than one hundred micrometers (100 pm).

[0059] Viruses and bacteria are preferentially present in one or other of these areas (bronchioles, respiratory tract or oral cavity). Monitoring the concentration and measuring the size of particles, droplets or aerosols having a diameter between one-tenth of a micrometer (0.1 pm) and 150 micrometers (150 pm) is therefore relevant and makes it possible to differentiate types and sources of infection.

[0060] The sensor that is mainly used for measuring human body temperature is the infrared sensor. Since the temperature of the human body can vary depending on several parameters external to the human body - including ambient temperature, ambient humidity, lighting level or ambient ultraviolet index - relying only on the parameter measured by this sensor can lead to an erroneous measured value.

[0061] To correct the human body temperature measurement by infrared and make it more accurate and precise, this measurement is correlated with the other measurements of the other sensors present in the product. The infrared measurement will be corrected according to the parameters measured by the other sensors. The measurements and information provided by the different sensors at the same time and in the same place make it possible to make a measurement of the human body temperature more reliable.

[0062] For each of the sensors, a measured parameter can be used raw or corrected according to other measured parameters.

[0063] The device is designed to operate autonomously and automatically. For this purpose, the device 1, using its multiple sensors, enables a self-monitoring function. Thus, the infrared sensor has known and specified limits of use, in particular in ranges of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, atmospheric pressure, light incidence or ultraviolet level. In order to guarantee optimal operation of the device 1, in particular to ensure that the measurements made by the infrared sensor are reliable, the measurements of the various other sensors are used to verify that the infrared sensor operates within the correct ranges.

[0064] The device 1 can in particular be used for the safety of individuals, in particular elderly people living alone.

[0065] The device measures the temperature of an individual and thus determines their presence in the room. The device can also determine whether the person is immobile or not. In the event of prolonged immobility, and in the event of a significant reduction in the noise level in the room, the device can, for example, deduce that the individual has become unwell or has fallen and trigger an alarm and / or contact a correspondent.

[0066] Since each device is connected to the cloud, the data collected by each device can be correlated with each other in order to provide information on a given geographical area. For example, several devices providing an increase in CO2 thus make it possible to provide information on this pollution and a direction of movement of this pollution. The same can be true for measured volatile compounds.

[0067] This provision of information from a combination of one or more of the parameters measured by the device may have uses other than monitoring the health of an individual. For example, the device may be used to measure vibrations such as those produced by an earthquake; it may be used, if the mesh is sufficient, to determine the amplitude and the epicenter.

[0068] We can also measure and monitor the evolution, in a given area:

[0069] - of a sound level;

[0070] - a level of pressure, temperature and / or humidity;

[0071] - a level of brightness and / or sunshine.

[0072] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. On the contrary, the invention is defined by the claims which follow.

[0073] It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0074] Thus, the device may in particular comprise an infrared sensor provided for measuring a temperature in several angular sectors, so that it can simultaneously and individually measure the temperature of several people and / or objects in the room, so that it can differentiate an object from a person, or two people from each other.

[0075] A sensor and a system according to the invention fulfill three main functions:

[0076] - a measurement of physiological symptoms, such as body temperature, the cough and sneeze detection;

[0077] - a measurement of transmissibility in the air, in particular by the presence of aerosols, of droplets and an air flow; and,

[0078] - a measure of the potential survival of a virus in the air, in particular as a function ultraviolet, temperature and humidity.

[0079] A device and a system according to the invention have numerous advantages:

[0080] - It has multiple sensors, which allows simultaneous physical measurements and allows for correlation analyses between different parameters, for example between pollution by aerosols and / or volatile compounds and body temperature. This also allows the use of an artificial intelligence algorithm to find complex correlations between different parameters.

[0081] - Connecting to a remote server, particularly a server in the cloud, allows a remote analysis of the information collected by the device. Thus, the use of the device can be modified by changing only a computer program in the remote server, services provided from the information collected may be different depending on the use made of it.

[0082] Of course, such a device and system can be used in classrooms or offices.

[0083] A device and a system according to the invention are not limited to the monitoring of respiratory diseases, but also to other airborne diseases, for example gastroenteritis.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for autonomously and automatically determining an occurrence of an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory infection, in an individual, and / or its progression comprising, for collecting information locally: sensors adapted to monitor physiological parameters comprising: - an infrared sensor or camera capable of determining a human body temperature remotely; - a microphone; and, preferably: - a radar or lidar which makes it possible to measure a number of people present and the distance between the people; sensors adapted to monitor environmental parameters comprising: - a sensor for measuring a number and a size of particles and / or aerosols in ambient air having a diameter of between one-tenth of a micrometer and 150 micrometers; - a sensor for measuring a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration; - an ambient air temperature sensor;- a sensor for the relative humidity of the ambient air; and, - a barometric pressure sensor; ; and / or, - a sensor for measuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds, in particular ethanol, dihydrogen (H2) or total volatile organic compounds (TVOC); and / or, - an air flow sensor; and / or, - an ultraviolet rate sensor. the device (1) being a non-contact multi-parametric sensor, the data from a sensor being corrected according to the data collected by other sensors present in the device.;

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a geographic position sensor, preferably by satellite.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises processing means for the information collected.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises wireless means (5) for transmitting the collected information, raw or processed, to a remote server, preferably to a server in a cloud (3).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises memory means for transmitting the collected information in a delayed manner.

6. System for determining the occurrence of an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory infection, characterized in that it comprises at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 5, a remote server for processing the information collected, and wireless means (4) for transmitting the information processed by the remote server, either to the individual or to another person, said remote server preferably comprising an artificial intelligence algorithm for recognizing a cough.

7. System for determining an occurrence of a pulmonary infection according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least three devices according to one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A method for determining an occurrence of an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory infection, characterized in that it comprises the use of a system according to one of claims 6 and 7, and the measurement of a concentration of droplets having a diameter of between one-tenth of a micrometer (0.1 pm) and 150 micrometers (150 pm), and, preferably for droplets whose diameter is less than one micrometer (1 pm), droplets whose diameter is greater than one micrometer (1 pm) and droplets whose diameter is greater than one hundred micrometers (100 pm).

9. Method for determining a geographical evolution of an airborne disease, in particular a respiratory infection, characterized in that it uses the data collected by a system according to claim 7.

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