Optical Breath Condensate Detector for Rapid Coronavirus Screening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biochemical diagnostic tests for COVID-19, such as antigen and RT-PCR tests, are inefficient for group settings as they require significant time per test, pose risks of contagious transmission, and generate contaminated disposables, making them unsuitable for rapid testing in crowded environments.
Innovation Solution
A rapid, battery-powered device utilizing optical physics to detect coronavirus in breath samples through light reflection analysis, providing immediate results via a multicolor LED indicator and Bluetooth data transmission, with a disposable tube and purging system to minimize contact and transmission risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If biochemical tests (antigen or RT-PCR) are used to detect coronavirus, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but testing time increases significantly and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces biochemical reaction-based detection systems with an optical detection system. The device uses a light source to illuminate breath condensate and photodetectors to measure light absorption at multiple wavelengths, substituting chemical reagent-based detection with physics-based optical measurement to achieve rapid results without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from biochemical reaction outcomes to optical absorption characteristics. By measuring light absorption at multiple specific wavelengths (including 210nm, 230nm, 254nm, and others) and analyzing the spectral fingerprint, the system achieves rapid coronavirus detection without requiring lengthy biochemical processing
2Productivity
If biochemical tests are performed on groups simultaneously, then testing efficiency is improved, but risk of contagious transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical-based device eliminates the need for physical contact with nasal swabs and reagents required by biochemical tests. Users simply exhale into the device, which collects breath condensate and analyzes it optically, removing the transmission risk associated with handling contaminated swabs and reagents while maintaining high group testing efficiency
3Measurement precision
If biochemical tests are used, then diagnostic capability is improved, but generation of contaminated disposables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces reagent-based biochemical testing with reagent-free optical detection. The breath condensate is collected and analyzed using light absorption measurements without requiring chemical reagents, thereby eliminating the generation of contaminated reagent waste and used test strips while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from consuming chemical reagents to using optical energy for detection. By measuring the spectral fingerprint of breath condensate through light absorption at multiple wavelengths, the device achieves diagnostic capability without consuming or generating chemical waste products
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, safe, and efficient testing of multiple individuals in seconds, reducing the risk of transmission and eliminating the need for waiting areas, while minimizing waste and facilitating contact tracing.
Implementation Method 1
When a COVID particle becomes airborne, it forms a protective envelope of a lipid surfactant similar to soap. Like soap bubbles, this protective envelope reflects light. The brightness of this reflection is proportional to the reflecting surface area arising from COVID concentration in the subject's breath.
Implementation Method 2
In operation, the device's red LED light source 14 on PC Board 3 shines crosswise to the subject's breath flowing through the breath passage. Sensor photodiodes 12 and 13 on PC Board 3 measure the intensity of the light reflected as described above.
Data Source
AI summary
The COVID-19 coronavirus is detected in a subject’s breath using optical physics rather than biochemical assays.