AR Test Area Overlay for Faster Hazardous Contaminant Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting and measuring environmental contamination by antineoplastic drugs are cumbersome, inaccurate, and expose workers to potential hazards due to the need for manual area demarcation and sampling, leading to delayed results and increased risk of exposure.

Innovation Solution

An augmented reality system that automatically demarcates a test area, tracks the sampled area, and provides real-time feedback to ensure accurate sampling and rapid detection of antineoplastic drugs, minimizing exposure and reducing testing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional laboratory methods are used for hazardous contaminant testing, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases significantly due to sample collection, transportation, and laboratory analysis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant detection accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device - a portable spectrometer system that acts as a mediator between the field environment and laboratory analysis. This portable instrument enables direct in-situ measurement of hazardous contaminants without requiring sample collection and transportation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing testing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of sample collection, packaging, transportation, and laboratory processing with an optical/electronic measurement system. The portable spectrometer uses optical methods to directly analyze contaminants at the field site, substituting the entire mechanical logistics chain with a non-contact optical measurement approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If comprehensive training and certification programs are implemented for first responders, then reliability of contaminant assessment improves, but loss of time during emergency response increases due to extended training requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant assessment reliabilityVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The portable spectrometer system enables first responders to perform autonomous contaminant assessment without requiring extensive external training or certification. The device provides real-time, objective measurements that do not depend on the operator's interpretive skills, allowing responders to reliably assess hazards immediately upon deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate real-time feedback through digital displays and alerts, allowing first responders to instantly understand contaminant levels and take appropriate actions. This immediate feedback mechanism eliminates the need for extensive training in data interpretation, as the system presents results in an intuitively understandable format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple specialized instruments are deployed for different contaminant types, then measurement precision across various contaminants is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-contaminant detection accuracyVSAvoidinstrument system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable spectrometer is designed as a universal instrument capable of detecting multiple types of hazardous contaminants including chemical, biological, and radiological agents. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized instruments, maintaining measurement precision across different contaminant types while significantly reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple specialized detection instruments into a single integrated portable spectrometer system. By combining various detection capabilities in one device, the system maintains comprehensive contaminant detection precision while reducing the complexity associated with managing multiple separate instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of time

If real-time monitoring capabilities are implemented in the field, then loss of time for decision-making is reduced, but device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making timeVSAvoidreal-time system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable spectrometer performs measurements immediately upon deployment at the field site, eliminating the preliminary actions of sample collection, transportation, and laboratory preparation. This preliminary field measurement capability provides real-time data for immediate decision-making without requiring complex infrastructure or extensive power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances accuracy and speed of contamination detection, reduces worker exposure, and enables immediate assessment of hazardous drug levels, ensuring precise measurement and quick response to contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a spectrometer for detecting hazardous contaminants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3684512B1Augmented reality devices for hazardous contaminant testing
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3684512B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3684512B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3684512B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to augmented reality devices for generating a composite scene including a real-world test environment and an augmented reality overlay visually representing a test area of the environment. Some devices can include wearable displays for displaying an overlay to a user, and other devices can include projectors for illuminating the test environment with the overlay.