Microfluidic devices for toilets

Abstract

The objective is to safely collect samples of excrement. [Solution] A system is provided that uses together excrement discharged into a toilet bowl and a passage that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl so that the toilet can be flushed via the passage. The system comprises a microfluidic device, which includes at least one microfluidic channel and is positioned in the passage so that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed. A microimaging device is configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while the portion of the excrement is in the microfluidic channel. Other applications are also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 698,109, entitled "Toilet with Microfluidic Device," filed by Kapp - Barnea on September 24, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the analysis of excreta such as urine or feces. Specifically, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to toilet - installed systems for analyzing such excreta.

Background Art

[0003] Various microparticles (or "entities") found in urine or feces can suggest underlying infections, diseases, or other physiological conditions. For example, microcrystals in a subject's urine can suggest that the subject is dehydrated or that substances such as ethylene glycol, calcium (e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, or calcium oxalate), uric acid, or bilirubin are present in abnormally high concentrations in the subject's blood. Various types of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms in a subject's feces can suggest an infection.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to identify microparticles in excreta such as urine or feces, it is often effective to image the excreta with a microscope. However, it is often not practical to safely collect a sample of the excreta for such imaging.

[0005] To address this challenge, embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously provide a microimaging system that does not require manual collection of a sample. The system uses a passage, such as a siphon, configured to be in fluid communication with a toilet bowl from which excrement is discharged, so that the toilet can be flushed through the passage. The system comprises a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, positioned within the passage so that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed. The system further comprises a microimaging device configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel.

[0006] In some embodiments, the system further includes a pipe configured to connect the microfluidic channel to the toilet tank. After flushing the toilet, some water from the tank flows through this pipe and through the microfluidic channel, removing some of the waste from the microfluidic channel. Alternatively or additionally, the system further includes a vibrating element configured to vibrate the microfluidic device after flushing the toilet to remove some of the waste from the microfluidic channel.

[0007] Typically, the system further includes a processor configured to process acquired microscopic images and derive characteristics of the excrement from the images, such as the number and classification of particles in a portion of the excrement. In some embodiments, the system further includes at least one sensor, such as an optical sensor and / or microphone, configured to detect the excrement before the toilet is flushed. The processor is further configured to derive additional characteristics of the excrement from the output of this sensor. In some applications, the processor is configured to derive macroscopic characteristics of the sample, such as the concentration of excrement in the toilet bowl, from the output of this sensor. In some applications, the processor is configured to transmit an output that combines the microscopic characteristics with the macroscopic characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, the processor calculates and outputs an estimated concentration of particles in the excrement based on the number of particles derived from the microscopic image and the concentration of excrement derived from the macroscopic detection.

[0008] Therefore, according to some applications of this disclosure, a system is used that uses together excrement discharged into a toilet bowl and a passage that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl so that the toilet can be flushed via the passage, A microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, which can be positioned within a passage so that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed, The present invention provides a system comprising a microscopy imaging device configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of excrement while a portion of it is in a microfluidic channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the system further includes a toilet, and the passageway is integrated with the toilet.

[0010] In some embodiments, the passageway includes a toilet siphon.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inlet of the microfluidic channel is configured to be exposed to air, except when the toilet is being flushed.

[0012] In some embodiments, the passageway is configured to be located downstream of the toilet.

[0013] In some embodiments, The system includes a passageway, and the walls of the passageway are formed to define an opening. The microfluidic device is mounted within the opening and includes a transparent cover that faces the microscope imaging device.

[0014] In some embodiments, the microscopy imaging device is configured to spectrally image a portion of the excrement while a portion remains in a microfluidic channel.

[0015] In some embodiments, The toilet includes a tank configured to replenish water after the toilet is flushed. The system further includes a pipe configured to connect the microfluidic channel to the tank, so that after flushing the toilet, some of the water flows from the tank through the pipe to the microfluidic channel, thereby removing some of the waste from the microfluidic channel.

[0016] In some embodiments, the system further includes a valve connected to a pipe and configured to open for a predetermined time after the toilet has been flushed.

[0017] In some embodiments, the system further includes a vibrating element configured to vibrate a microfluidic device after the toilet has been flushed to remove some of the waste from the microfluidic channel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the system further includes a processor configured to process microscopic images to derive the number and classification of particles in a portion of the excrement from the images.

[0019] In some embodiments, the system further At least one sensor configured to detect excrement before the toilet is flushed with water and output a signal in response to the detection, Deriving one or more first characteristics of the excrement by processing an image from a microscopic image, Deriving one or more second characteristics of the excrement from the signal, A processor configured to transmit an output combining the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

[0020] In some embodiments, the sensor includes an optical sensor.

[0021] In some embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone.

[0022] In some embodiments, one or more second characteristics include the concentration of excrement in the toilet bowl.

[0023] In some embodiments, one or more first characteristics include the number and classification of particles in a portion of the excrement, and the output includes the concentration of particles in the excrement.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for use with excrement discharged into a toilet bowl of a toilet, A microfluidic device including at least one microfluidic channel and configured to be positioned within or downstream of the toilet such that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel, A microscopic imaging device configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while a portion is in the microfluidic channel, At least one sensor configured to detect excrement outside the microfluidic channel and output a signal in response to the detection, Deriving one or more first characteristics of the excrement by processing an image from the microscopic image, Deriving one or more second characteristics of the excrement from the signal, A system further provided with a processor configured to transmit an output combining the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

[0025] In some embodiments, the sensor includes an optical sensor.

[0026] In some embodiments, the sensor includes a microphone.

[0027] In some embodiments, the microscopy imaging device is configured to spectrally image a portion of the excrement while a portion thereof is in the microfluidic channel.

[0028] In some embodiments, one or more first characteristics include the number and classification of particles in a portion of the excrement.

[0029] In some embodiments, one or more second characteristics include the concentration of excrement in the toilet bowl.

[0030] In some embodiments, the output includes the concentration of excrement particles.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a system that uses both excrement discharged into the toilet bowl of a toilet including a tank configured to replenish water after flushing the toilet and a passage in fluid communication with the toilet bowl so that the toilet is flushing - capable via the passage, a microfluidic device including at least one microfluidic channel and being disposed in the passage such that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed, and a tube configured to connect the microfluidic channel to the tank so that a portion of the water flows from the tank through the tube and through the microfluidic channel after flushing the toilet, thereby removing a portion of the excrement from the microfluidic channel, is further provided.

[0032] In some embodiments, the system further includes a valve connected to the tube and configured to open for a predetermined time after flushing the toilet.

[0033] In some embodiments, the system further includes a vibrating element configured to vibrate a microfluidic device after the toilet has been flushed to remove some of the waste from the microfluidic channel.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inlet of the microfluidic channel is configured to be exposed to air, except when the toilet is being flushed.

[0035] In some embodiments, the passageway is configured to be located downstream of the toilet.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system further includes a toilet, and the passageway is integrated with the toilet.

[0037] In some embodiments, the passageway includes a toilet siphon.

[0038] This disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a system for analyzing excrement according to some embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a toilet according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing components of a sensor module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] First, refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 21 for analyzing excrement 26, such as urine or feces, excreted by a subject into a toilet bowl 23 of a toilet 20, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a toilet 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] System 21 is typically used with a passage 25 that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl 23, so that the toilet 20 is flushed through the passage 25, as shown by the flush indicator 27 in Figure 2. Typically, in addition to the toilet bowl 23, the toilet 20 includes a toilet seat 88 and / or a tank 64 configured to drain water into the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed and replenish it with water 66 after flushing. Generally, the toilet 20 may be a siphon toilet, a washdown toilet, or any other type of toilet.

[0042] In some embodiments, the passageway 25 is integrated with the toilet 20, as shown in Figure 2. For example, in some embodiments, the passageway 25 includes a toilet siphon. In other embodiments, the passageway 25 is configured to be located downstream of the toilet, for example, behind the wall or under the floor of the restroom where the toilet is installed.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the system 21 includes a microfluidic device 52 containing at least one microfluidic channel 54, which can be positioned within the passage 25 so that a portion of the excrement (mixed with water from the toilet bowl) fills the microfluidic channel 54 by, for example, capillary action, as indicated by a flow indicator 56 when the toilet is flushed. For example, in some embodiments, the walls of the passage 25 are formed to define an opening 62, and the microfluidic device 52 is installed within the opening 62. Typically, the inlet 55 of the microfluidic channel is exposed to air except when the toilet is flushed, and the excrement 26 flows easily into the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed. For example, in some embodiments where the toilet 20 is a siphon type, the microfluidic device is positioned within the toilet siphon such that the inlet 55 is above the static water level of the toilet bowl 23.

[0044] In some applications, the walls of the passageway are formed to define an opening 62, the microfluidic device 52 is reversibly installed within the opening 62, and the microfluidic device is periodically replaceable.

[0045] In some embodiments, channel 54 is closed, and fluid can only enter and exit the channel through a dedicated opening, such as an inlet 55. In other embodiments, channel 54 is open.

[0046] The system 21 further includes a microscopy imaging module 94, which includes a microscopy imaging device 58 configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel 54. Typically, the microscopy imaging device 58 includes a light source 59 configured to emit light, such as one or more light-emitting diodes; an imaging sensor configured to detect the reflection of the emitted light and / or fluorescence emitted in response to the emitted light, such as a charge-coupled element or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor; and one or more magnifying lenses. Typically, in embodiments in which a microfluidic device 52 is mounted within the opening 62, the microscopy imaging module 94 is located behind the wall of the passage 25, and the microfluidic device 52 includes a transparent cover facing the microscopy imaging device.

[0047] In some embodiments, the microscopy imaging device 58 is configured to spectrally image a portion of the excrement while a portion is in a microfluidic channel. For example, in some embodiments, the light source 59 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements configured to emit light in different wavelength ranges, and / or the imaging sensor includes a plurality of spatially arranged filters configured in different wavelength ranges. Advantageously, spectral imaging facilitates the detection of particles in the excrement.

[0048] In some embodiments, the light source 59 irradiates the microfluidic channels with ultraviolet light, such as light having a wavelength of 300–400 nm (e.g., around 365 nm), to induce fluorescence, typically in the visible or near-infrared range. Alternatively or additionally, the light source 59 irradiates the microfluidic channels with broadband illumination that typically reflects in the visible range (e.g., illumination with a wavelength band of 400–800 nm). Alternatively or additionally, the light source 59 irradiates the microfluidic channels with light having a wavelength in the near-infrared range, e.g., 650–1050 nm. Alternatively or additionally, a microscopy imaging device images a portion of the excrement based on light emitted by the excrement without irradiating the microfluidic channels. (In such embodiments, the microscopy imaging device does not necessarily include a light source.) For example, in some embodiments, the microscopy imaging device acquires a thermal image in the near-infrared range.

[0049] In some embodiments, the system 21 further includes a pipe 70 configured to connect the microfluidic channel 54 to the tank 64, so that after the toilet is flushed, some water 66 flows from the tank 64 through the pipe 70 to the microfluidic channel 54, as indicated by a flow indicator 68. This allows the water to remove some of the waste from the microfluidic channel, as indicated by another flow indicator 72. Typically, in such embodiments, the system 21 further includes a valve 74 connected to the pipe 70 (e.g., at the inlet or outlet of the pipe) and configured to open for a predetermined time after the toilet is flushed.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the system 21 further includes a vibrating element 31 configured to vibrate the microfluidic device 52 after flushing the toilet to remove some of the excrement from the microfluidic channel 54. In some embodiments, the vibrating element 31 includes a pair of electrodes and / or a piezoelectric element that contact the microfluidic device and vibrate the microfluidic device when an electric current flows through the vibrating element. Alternatively or additionally, the vibrating element 31 includes an ultrasonic transmitting element configured to emit ultrasonic waves that vibrate the microfluidic device.

[0051] More generally, the microfluidic device 52 may be configured to be positioned within the toilet 20 or at any location downstream of the toilet 20 so that a portion of the excrement (typically mixed with toilet water) fills the microfluidic channel 54.

[0052] In addition, Figure 3, which is referenced here, is a block diagram showing the components of a sensor module 22 according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0053] In some embodiments, the system 21 further includes one or more sensors 76, each configured to detect excrement 26 outside the microfluidic channel 54 and output a signal in response to the detection, typically before flushing the toilet (e.g., while excrement is being discharged and / or while excrement is in the toilet bowl). Typically, the sensors 76 are housed in a sensor module 22, which typically includes a water-resistant housing.

[0054] For example, in some embodiments, the system 21 includes a microphone 40 configured to detect the sound of excrement being expelled. Alternatively or additionally, the system 21 includes an optical sensor 42, such as an imaging sensor and / or a spectroscopic sensor, configured to detect light emitted, reflected, or fluoresced from the excrement 26, for example, while the excrement is being expelled and / or while the excrement is in the toilet bowl 23. Typically, in such embodiments, the system 21 further includes a light source 24 configured to illuminate the excrement for the optical sensor 42 by irradiating the excrement with light 78 (Schematically shown in Figure 1). Typically, the lower surfaces of the light source 24 and optical sensor 42 of the sensor module are transparent.

[0055] In some embodiments, the sensor module 22 is connected to a commercial power supply. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in Figure 1, the sensor module 22 is powered by a power supply 28 (e.g., a battery pack) located within the housing 30, either wired or wirelessly. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the sensor module 22 is connected to the housing 30 by a connecting arm 82 mounted on the rim 80 of the toilet bowl 23, such that the sensor module 22 is inside the toilet bowl and the housing 30 is outside the toilet bowl. (In some such embodiments, the sensor module is at least partially immersed in the toilet bowl.) In other embodiments, the sensor module is integrated with the toilet bowl 23.

[0056] In some embodiments, the microscope imaging module 94 is also powered by the power supply 28, for example, via a wired connection. In other embodiments, the module 94 is powered by a separate power supply.

[0057] Typically, the sensor module 22 includes a computer processor 44 configured to control and / or receive inputs from other components of the sensor module, such as a light source 24 and / or a sensor 76. In some embodiments, the processor 44 is further configured to instruct a microscopy imaging module 94 to begin imaging the excrement in the microfluidic channel in response to one or more inputs indicating that the toilet has been flushed. Examples of such inputs include signals from a microphone 40, images acquired by an optical sensor 42, and signals from a dedicated flush sensor 90 connected to the toilet flushing mechanism 92 shown in Figure 2. Typically, the processor instructs the microscopy imaging module to begin imaging after a predetermined time from the start of flushing. Typically, the processor 44 is further configured to receive, for example, an output of a microscopic image from the microscopy imaging module 94.

[0058] In some embodiments, the sensor module 22 is wired to the microscope imaging module 94 to facilitate communication exchange with the microscope imaging module 94. Alternatively, the sensor module 22 further includes a communication module 48 including a wireless communication interface, and the microscope imaging module 94 further includes another wireless communication interface 84 (Figure 2) configured to exchange communications with the communication module 48.

[0059] Similarly, in some embodiments, the processor 44 is further configured to open the valve 74 and / or activate the vibrating element 31 in response to one or more inputs indicating that the toilet has been flushed. For example, in some embodiments, typically, after a predetermined time from the start of flushing (the time required for the tank 64 to nearly finish refilling), the processor opens the valve 74 and / or activates the vibrating element 31. Then, after another predetermined time, the processor closes the valve and / or deactivates the vibrating element. The processor may be connected to the valve 74 and / or the vibrating element 31 by any preferred wired or wireless connection.

[0060] In some embodiments, the sensor module 22 includes a memory 46 configured in which a processor 44 stores data such as microscope images received from the microscope imaging module. In some such embodiments, the memory 46 includes a removable memory card, such as a secure digital card.

[0061] Typically, as shown in Figure 1, the system 21 further includes a processor 96 configured to process microscopic images acquired by a microscopic imaging device 58 to derive one or more properties of the excrement from the images. In some embodiments, these properties include the number and classification (i.e., type) of particles in a portion of the excrement within the microfluidic channel 54. For example, by processing the images, the processor 96 may classify the particles into urinary microcrystals, bacteria, fungi, or other types of microorganisms (for example, based on a predetermined library showing the ways in which various microorganisms emit, reflect, and / or fluoresce light), and further estimate the number of particles.

[0062] Typically, in embodiments where the system includes a sensor 76, the processor 96 is further configured to process any signal output by the sensor to derive additional characteristics of the excrement from the signal. In some applications, the additional characteristics include one or more macroscopic characteristics of the sample. In some embodiments, the characteristics include the type of excrement in the toilet bowl, the volume of urine in the toilet bowl, the mass and Bristol scale classification of feces in the toilet bowl, and / or the concentration of the excrement in the toilet bowl. In some applications, the processor is further configured to transmit an output combining the first and second characteristics, which includes both sets of characteristics and / or another characteristic of the excrement derived from both sets of characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, the output includes the concentration of each target particle in the excrement (i.e., the number of particles per unit volume), and the concentration is derived from the number of particles in the microscopic sample and the concentration of the excrement in the toilet bowl (e.g., the concentration of urine in the toilet bowl).

[0063] In some embodiments, the processor 96 belongs to a device 98, such as a cloud server, located away from the toilet 20. In such embodiments, typically, the processor 44 of the sensor module 22 is configured to transmit data acquired by the microscope imaging module 94 and sensor 76 to the device 98 via the communication module 48 over at least one network 100 (e.g., a Wi-Fi network and / or the internet).

[0064] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the system 21 further includes at least one device 32 belonging, for example, to a subject or the subject's healthcare provider. The processor 96 is configured to transmit the above-mentioned output to the device 32, for example, over a network 100, and the device 32 includes a display 86 configured to display the output. In some embodiments, the device 32 includes a smartphone 34, a tablet computer 36, or a laptop computer 38.

[0065] In some embodiments, the output from the processor 96 may include additional details and / or instructions in addition to the characteristics of the excrement. For example, the processor 96 may output a message indicating whether symptoms such as candidiasis or diarrhea are bacterial or fungal, based on an analysis of the excrement. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may output a suggested treatment plan, which may include taking antibacterial or antifungal agents. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may instruct the subject to seek medical attention.

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more other processors perform at least some of the functions of the processor 96 described above. For example, in some embodiments, the processor 44 and / or the processor of device 32 perform analysis of data from the microscope imaging module 94 and / or the sensor 76.

[0067] In some embodiments, the sensor module 22 includes an indicator 50 configured to notify the subject when a sample has been successfully imaged and / or when data has been successfully transmitted to a remote device. In some embodiments, the indicator 50 includes a visual indicator, such as a light-emitting diode. Alternatively or additionally, the indicator 50 includes an audible indicator (e.g., a speaker configured to emit a beep). The indicator typically interacts with other components of the sensor module, such as a computer processor and / or a communication module.

[0068] Generally, each processor described herein may be embodied as a single processor or as a cooperatively networked or clustered group of processors. The functions of the processor may be implemented solely in hardware, for example, using one or more fixed-function or general-purpose integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Alternatively, the functions may be implemented at least partially in software. For example, the processor may be embodied as a programmed processor including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU). Program code, including software programs and / or data, may be loaded for execution and processing by the CPU and / or GPU. The program code and / or data may be downloaded to the processor in electronic form, for example, over a network. Alternatively or additionally, the program code and / or data may be provided and / or stored in non-temporary tangible storage media such as magnetic memory, optical memory, or electronic memory. When such program code and / or data is provided to the processor, it realizes a machine or dedicated computer configured to perform the tasks described herein.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to what is specifically shown and described above. Rather, the scope of this disclosure includes various combinations and subcombinations of the features described above, as well as variations and modifications thereto that are not found in the prior art and that may come to mind when reading the above description.

Claims

1. A system that uses both the excrement discharged into the toilet bowl and a passage that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl so that the toilet can be flushed via the passage, A microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, which can be positioned within the passage such that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed, A system comprising: a microimaging device configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising the toilet, wherein the passage is integrated with the toilet.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the passage includes the siphon of the toilet.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet of the microfluidic channel is configured to be exposed to air, except when the toilet is being flushed.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the passage is configured to be installed downstream of the toilet.

6. The system comprises the passage, and the walls of the passage are formed to define an opening. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic device is mounted in the opening and includes a transparent cover facing the microscope imaging device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microscope imaging device is configured to spectrally image a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel.

8. The toilet includes a tank configured to replenish water after the toilet has been flushed, The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pipe configured to connect the microfluidic channel to the tank such that, after the toilet has been flushed, a portion of the water flows from the tank through the pipe to the microfluidic channel, thereby removing a portion of the excrement from the microfluidic channel.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a valve connected to the pipe and configured to open for a predetermined time after the toilet has been flushed.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrating element configured to vibrate the microfluidic device after the toilet has been flushed, thereby removing a portion of the excrement from the microfluidic channel.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a processor configured to process the microscopic image and derive from the image the number and classification of particles in the portion of the excrement.

12. At least one sensor configured to detect the excrement before the toilet is flushed and to output a signal in response to the detection, By processing the aforementioned microscope image, one or more first characteristics of the excrement are derived. From the aforementioned signal, one or more second characteristics of the excrement are derived, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a processor configured to transmit an output combining the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensor includes a microphone.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the second characteristics include the concentration of the excrement in the toilet bowl.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein one or more first characteristics include the number and classification of particles in the portion of the excrement, and the output includes the concentration of the particles in the excrement.

17. A system used for waste discharged into a toilet bowl, A microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, configured to be positioned within or downstream of the toilet such that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel, A microimaging device configured to acquire at least one microscopic image of a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel, At least one sensor configured to detect the excrement outside the microfluidic channel and to output a signal in response to the detection, By processing the aforementioned microscope image, one or more first characteristics of the excrement are derived. From the aforementioned signal, one or more second characteristics of the excrement are derived, A system comprising a processor configured to transmit an output combining the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the sensor includes a microphone.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the microscope imaging device is configured to spectrally image a portion of the excrement while the portion is in the microfluidic channel.

21. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein one or more of the first characteristics include the number and classification of particles in the portion of the excrement.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein one or more of the second characteristics include the concentration of the excrement in the toilet bowl.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the output includes the concentration of the particles in the excrement.

24. A system for using together a toilet bowl containing excrement discharged into the toilet bowl, which includes a tank configured to replenish water after flushing the toilet, and a passage that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl so that the toilet can be flushed via the passage, A microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, which can be positioned within the passage such that a portion of the excrement fills the microfluidic channel when the toilet is flushed, A system comprising: a pipe configured to connect the microfluidic channel to the tank such that, after the toilet is flushed, a portion of the water flows from the tank through the pipe to the microfluidic channel, thereby removing a portion of the excrement from the microfluidic channel.

25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a valve connected to the pipe and configured to open for a predetermined time after the toilet has been flushed.

26. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a vibrating element configured to vibrate the microfluidic device after the toilet has been flushed, thereby removing a portion of the excrement from the microfluidic channel.

27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the inlet of the microfluidic channel is configured to be exposed to air except when the toilet is being flushed.

28. The system according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the passage is configured to be installed downstream of the toilet.

29. The system according to any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising the toilet, wherein the passage is integrated with the toilet.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the passage includes the siphon of the toilet.

Images