Aspirating Biosensor Network for Large-Area Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aspirating detection systems are limited in their ability to efficiently and accurately monitor for pathogens in large areas, particularly in environments with limited ventilation and high human traffic, such as train stations and hospitals.
Innovation Solution
An aspirating detection system equipped with a network of pipes, a sensor unit containing a biosensor, and an aspirator to draw airflow through the network, allowing for rapid and accurate detection of pathogens, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2, using bioreceptors and detectors like LSPR sensors, with temperature control to optimize biological interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional point smoke detectors are used, then detection coverage is limited, but installation simplicity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the large detection area into multiple sampling zones distributed throughout the building, each with its own sampling point connected via a pipe network to a central detection unit. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of large areas while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular zoning.
Solution Approach 2:
A network of pipes acts as an intermediary medium to transport air samples from distributed sampling locations to the central biosensor detection unit. This intermediary infrastructure enables extended detection coverage without requiring the detector itself to be physically present in all monitored areas.
2Measurement precision
If centralized detection is implemented to sample large areas, then detection efficiency and accuracy improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted and concentrated into a single centralized biosensor unit, while the sampling function is distributed across multiple locations. This extraction allows high-precision pathogen detection to be achieved at the central unit without requiring complex distributed sensing infrastructure throughout the entire building.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized biosensor unit serves multiple sampling zones simultaneously through the pipe network, providing universal detection capability across the entire building. This multi-functionality allows a single detection unit to maintain high accuracy while monitoring large areas, reducing the need for multiple separate detection systems.
3Speed
If rapid pathogen detection is achieved using biosensors, then detection speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical or optical detection methods are replaced with biosensor technology that uses biological recognition elements to detect pathogens. This substitution enables rapid detection through specific biological interactions between bioreceptors and target pathogens, significantly reducing detection time compared to conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from physical or chemical properties to biological recognition properties. By using bioreceptors that specifically bind to target pathogens, the system achieves rapid and selective detection through biological affinity interactions, transforming the detection mechanism to achieve faster response times.
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 provides fast and reliable pathogen detection in large areas with high efficiency and accuracy, enabling safer environments by integrating modular sensor units that can be easily installed, maintained, and adapted to monitor for multiple contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
an aspirator configured to draw airflow through the network of one or more pipes and through the biosensor
Implementation Method 2
The bioreceptor may be configured for one or more of the following types of interaction: antibody/antigen, enzymes/ligands, nucleic acids/DNA, nucleic acids/RNA, DNA/RNA, cellular structures/cells and biomimetic materials
Implementation Method 3
The biosensor may comprise a Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) sensor. The LSPR sensor may comprise a bioreceptor, the bioreceptor comprising a plurality of metallic nanostructures
Implementation Method 4
The temperature control system may be configured to maintain the temperature of the airflow at the biosensor at a predetermined temperature, which is preferably a predetermined temperature associated with the pathogen
Data Source
AI summary
An aspirating detection system for monitoring for the presence of a pathogen, the aspirating detection system including: a network of one or more pipes for sampling air from a plurality of locations monitored by the aspirating detection system; a sensor unit 3 comprising a housing 13 fluidly connected to the network of one or more pipes, and a biosensor 12 mounted within the housing, the biosensor being configured to monitor for the presence of the pathogen; and an aspirator 15 configured to draw airflow through the network of one or more pipes and through the biosensor 12.