Breath Spectrometer Screening with Vortex Mask Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing viral infection screening methods are impractical for wide-scale screening due to lack of speed, accuracy, resource constraints, and reliance on symptomatic presentation, which allows asymptomatic carriers to spread the virus, necessitating stringent containment measures.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive health screening system using a spectrometer with a vortex mask to analyze exhaled breath samples, employing a vortex mask and lyot mask for destructive interference and noise reduction, coupled with a discriminator for rapid infection detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods (PCR, ELISA, etc.) are used for viral infection screening, then diagnostic accuracy can be achieved, but the testing speed is slow and resource consumption is high, making wide-scale screening impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical testing systems (PCR, ELISA) with an optical detection system that uses light sources, optical paths, and detectors to rapidly screen for viral infections. This substitution enables high-speed screening while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through optical measurement of breath samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from chemical reagent-based detection to optical property-based detection. By measuring optical properties (absorption, transmission, scattering) of breath samples at different wavelengths, the system achieves rapid screening without consuming reagents, thereby improving testing speed and productivity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods are used, then diagnostic results can be obtained, but resource consumption (reagent supplies, equipment) becomes depleted during wide-scale screening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical reagents with optical detection methods. The system uses light sources and optical components to detect viral infections in breath samples without requiring any consumable reagents, thereby eliminating resource depletion issues during wide-scale screening while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system is self-sufficient and does not require external reagent supplies. The light sources generate their own illumination, and the system uses the inherent optical properties of the breath samples and viral particles for detection, making the screening process self-service and resource-independent.
3Productivity
If testing is performed only on symptomatic individuals, then resource allocation can be optimized, but asymptomatic carriers continue to spread the virus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary screening of asymptomatic individuals through rapid, non-invasive breath analysis. The system can detect viral infections before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention and quarantine measures that prevent asymptomatic transmission, thereby improving containment effectiveness without sacrificing resource efficiency due to the low cost and speed of each test.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the screening approach from symptom-based to objective optical measurement-based detection. By measuring optical properties of breath samples, the system can reliably detect infections in asymptomatic individuals, improving containment effectiveness while the rapid testing capability maintains resource efficiency through high throughput.
4Measurement precision
If invasive testing methods are used, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and testing acceptance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical testing methods (swabs, needles, breath collection devices) with a non-invasive optical detection system. The system simply shines light through or near the patient's breath condensate or tissue, eliminating discomfort while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through optical measurement of viral particles or biomarkers.
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
Enables rapid, non-invasive, and accurate detection of viral infections, including asymptomatic cases, allowing for near real-time screening of large populations and reducing the spread of viruses.
Implementation Method 1
the vortex mask configured to provide destructive interference of coherent light received from the at least one light source
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect and measure wavelength intensities from the light in the optical path, the wavelength intensities being impacted by the light passing through the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising at least one light source configured to generate a light at specific wavelengths and project the light over an optical path, a sample device, the sample device configured to receive a sample obtained from a person, the sample device being transparent and being at least partially within the optical path, a diversifier including occlusions for scattering coherent light received from the light source along the optical path, a first detector configured to receive the light over the optical path and from at least a portion of the diversifier, the detector configured to detect spectral intensities of the light, and a second detector configured to receive at least a portion of the light form the optical path before the light passes through the diffuser, the second detector configured to detect spectral intensities of the light.