Polymer Odor Collection Device with Semi-Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing training devices for animals, particularly dogs, face limitations in handling and safety when using real odorous molecules, as they often require direct contact or exposure to hazardous substances, and synthetic odors do not accurately represent real odors, leading to potential errors in detection training.
Innovation Solution
A device made of polymers with olfactory neutrality that absorbs and stores real odorous molecules, allowing for controlled release, eliminating direct contact with hazardous substances and providing a reliable source of real odors for training, using a polyether-block-amide (PEBA) or a mixture of polymers with high absorption and controlled release capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soaked supports (sponge, foam, cotton fibers) are used to familiarize animals with odors, then the animal can be exposed to odorous molecules, but the animal is directly exposed to hazardous source substances which can be harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device consisting of a container with semi-permeable membrane walls that allows odorous molecules to pass through while blocking the source substance. This mediator protects the animal from direct contact with hazardous materials while still enabling olfactory training through the released odor molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the beneficial component (odorous molecules) from the source substance by allowing selective passage through the semi-permeable membrane, while leaving the hazardous components contained within the device. This separation enables training without exposure to harmful substances.
2Ease of manufacture
If synthetic odorant molecules are used in training devices, then the device can be manufactured and reused, but the synthetic odors are different from real odorant molecules leading to detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a copy of real odorant molecules by releasing actual odors from source substances through the semi-permeable membrane, rather than using synthetic replicas. This copying approach maintains fidelity to the target odor while enabling controlled, reusable training sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of odor authenticity by using real odorant molecules that pass through the membrane rather than synthetic substitutes. This parameter change ensures detection accuracy while the device structure enables reuse and controlled release.
3Measurement precision
If real source substances are used directly for training, then the animal trains with authentic odors, but handling and manipulating the source substances is problematic and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The container with semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary that holds the real source substance while allowing its odor to pass through. This mediator enables handlers to work with authentic odors without direct contact, improving safety while maintaining odor authenticity for training purposes.
4Reliability
If existing training devices are designed for specific odors, then they work effectively for those odors, but they cannot be used with all kinds of odorous molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves universality through the semi-permeable membrane that can accommodate various source substances. The same basic device structure can be used with different odorous materials (explosives, narcotics, biological samples) by simply changing the source substance placed inside, making it multi-functional and highly adaptable.
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 device enables safe and efficient collection and storage of a wide variety of odorous molecules, providing a faithful representation of real odors for extended periods, reducing the risks associated with handling hazardous substances and improving detection training accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
said device is placed in the presence of a source of real odorant molecules in order to absorb said odorant molecules into the mesh of its polymeric network
Implementation Method 2
the odorant molecules of interest previously absorbed are returned by the device in the absence of the source of real odorous molecules
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a device for collecting and releasing odorous molecules of interest which is easy to use, manufacture and impregnate. Said device is used for the collection and release of an infinite number of odours using natural odorous molecules i.e. not synthetic odorous molecules. The odours are stored in the device for immediate or future use. The invention also describes a method for training animals, especially dogs, in the detection of odorous molecules by using the device according to the invention.