Pathogen mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing pathogens from indoor environments often result in further contamination and are ineffective in preventing recurrence, posing health risks and significant costs to industries such as healthcare and food handling.
Innovation Solution
A process involving pathogen detection using bio-aerosol monitoring systems, followed by sanitization and installation of purification units, with continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure ongoing pathogen reduction and prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional pathogen removal methods are used, then pathogen levels are reduced, but further contamination and pathogen recurrence occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of pathogens using bio-aerosol monitoring before contamination spreads further. By detecting pathogens early and implementing purification measures proactively, the system prevents recurrence rather than merely responding to established contamination events
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors indoor environments for pathogen presence and uses this feedback to trigger purification processes. This closed-loop approach ensures that purification is activated based on actual pathogen detection, preventing recurrence through ongoing surveillance and responsive action
2Quantity of substance
If pathogen removal is performed, then contamination is reduced, but the treatment becomes difficult and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces conventional mechanical cleaning methods with bio-aerosol monitoring and chemical purification approaches. This substitution enables more effective pathogen elimination through specialized purification units that use chemical agents rather than simple mechanical removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach to pathogen treatment by using bio-aerosol detection parameters to guide purification processes. By monitoring specific pathogen markers and adjusting purification intensity based on detected levels, the system makes treatment more effective and less difficult
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then pathogen detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to detect multiple types of pathogens using a single bio-aerosol monitoring platform. This multi-functional approach maintains high detection accuracy across different pathogen types while avoiding the need for multiple separate monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically analyzes monitoring data and triggers purification processes without requiring complex manual intervention. The automated decision-making reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for complex control interfaces while maintaining high detection precision
Data Source
AI summary
The mitigation of indoor pathogens comprises quantifying, using a bio-aerosol monitoring system, the amount of total pathogens in the air and on surfaces within an indoor environment. Moreover, the process comprises sanitizing the indoor environment with portable equipment to stabilize the indoor environment when it is determined that the indoor environment is contaminated. Also, the process comprises installing a purification device within a contaminated area of the indoor environment, and monitoring continuously, the indoor environment after sanitizing, for pathogens. Still further, the process comprises releasing a purifying agent upon detecting pathogens in the indoor environment, and providing periodic maintenance to the purification device.