Chemical Sensor Breath Analysis for Non-Invasive Physiological Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tests for conditions like COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile infection are invasive, costly, and have low sensitivity, failing to detect asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals effectively, which compromises mitigation strategies and diagnosis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system using chemical sensors, including polymer-based and metal-oxide-based sensors, that measure conductance or capacitance values to predict physiological states by transmitting profiles to a computing device for analysis, employing principal component analysis to generate predictive profiles indicative of infections like SARS-CoV-2 or environmental threats, and can be used in wearable or non-invasive formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive respiratory tract swabs are used for diagnostic testing, then testing can be performed, but the tests are uncomfortable and depend on personable skills and timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical invasive swabbing with chemical sensing technology. Chemical sensors detect volatile organic compounds through non-invasive breath sampling, eliminating the need for uncomfortable respiratory tract swabs while maintaining diagnostic capability through molecular detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces breath as an intermediary medium between the subject and the diagnostic test. Instead of directly sampling the respiratory tract, the system analyzes volatile compounds in breath, which serve as a non-invasive proxy that carries diagnostic information about the subject's physiological state
2Productivity
If symptom questionnaires and thermometers are used for screening, then screening can be performed, but at least 40% of infected individuals remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective symptom questionnaires and temperature measurements with objective chemical sensing. The sensor array detects specific volatile organic compound signatures in breath, providing an objective molecular-based detection method that can identify infected individuals regardless of symptom presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the detection parameter from physical symptoms (temperature, self-reported symptoms) to chemical parameters (volatile organic compound concentrations). This parameter change enables detection of infected individuals at the molecular level, capturing asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases that traditional screening misses
3Measurement precision
If PCR and antigen tests are used, then sensitivity is improved, but tests become relatively costly and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and analyzes only the most informative volatile organic compounds from breath samples using selective chemical sensors. This targeted approach focuses on specific molecular signatures rather than performing comprehensive complex analysis, reducing system complexity while maintaining high detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable chemical sensor elements that can be easily replaced. These sensors use consumable sensing materials that come into direct contact with breath samples, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and difficult-to-maintain diagnostic equipment while achieving comparable or superior detection performance
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
This system enables non-invasive, cost-effective, and accurate prediction of physiological states, improving diagnostic efficiency and enabling early identification of infected individuals, facilitating better outbreak management and reducing the need for invasive testing.
Implementation Method 1
measure, for each of the plurality of sensors, a respective value of a plurality of values
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of values is a conductance value or each of the plurality of values is a capacitance value
Implementation Method 3
the transmitter comprises a radio-frequency antenna
Implementation Method 4
the processor is further programmed to: transmit the profile via near-field communication
Implementation Method 5
the processor is further programmed to: perform a principal component analysis based on the plurality of values
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which can, for example, include systems, apparatuses, methods, and media) for predicting a physiological state of a subject using one or more chemical sensors. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a plurality of chemical sensors; a transmitter; and a processor coupled to the plurality of chemical sensors and the transmitter, the processor programmed to: measure, for each of the plurality of sensors, a respective value of a plurality of values; and transmit, via the transmitter, a profile based on the plurality of values to a computing device.