Non-Invasive Respiratory Testing with Multiple Spectrometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional COVID-19 testing methods are invasive, requiring medical reagents and trained staff, and are not suitable for asymptomatic carriers, who can transmit the disease before showing symptoms.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive respiratory testing apparatus using spectroscopy and particle detection to determine the presence of COVID-19, with a system to assess sample sufficiency and generate encoded testing indications for venue access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional rRT-PCR testing is used, then test accuracy is improved, but test time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical PCR amplification system with an optical detection system using spectrometers that directly analyze breath condensate. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple amplification cycles and chemical reagents, reducing test time from hours to minutes while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through direct molecular spectroscopy detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential diagnostic function from the complex PCR process by using spectrometers to directly detect viral signatures in breath condensate. This extraction removes the time-consuming amplification and analysis steps while preserving the core capability of identifying viral presence, thereby reducing test time without sacrificing accuracy.
2Reliability
If invasive nasopharyngeal swab testing is used, then test reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service testing by allowing subjects to collect their own breath condensate samples without requiring trained medical personnel or invasive procedures. The breath sample collection is a natural, non-invasive process that anyone can perform, dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining test reliability through the use of multiple spectrometers for accurate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasion of nasopharyngeal swabs with a non-invasive breath collection system. This substitution eliminates the need for trained staff to perform uncomfortable procedures, making the test easy to administer while maintaining reliability through sophisticated optical detection of viral markers in the breath sample.
3Measurement precision
If multiple spectrometers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function across multiple spectrometers, each potentially analyzing different spectral ranges or aspects of the breath condensate. This segmentation allows comprehensive viral detection through multiple independent measurements, improving precision while distributing the complexity across modular components that can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data from multiple spectrometers into a unified diagnostic result through integrated processing. This combining approach consolidates the information from multiple detection channels to produce a single, highly accurate diagnostic outcome, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through centralized data integration and analysis.
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 COVID-19 testing that can identify infected individuals before symptoms appear, reducing the risk of transmission and facilitating safe access to venues.
Implementation Method 1
uses spectroscopy to determine the presence of a biological agent such as a virus
Implementation Method 2
The particle detector may determine the particle count and/or particle size range of particles in an exhalation of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A test method for testing for presence of a biological agent, a test apparatus and a system to control entry to an event uses particle count and spectrographic data. The present embodiments of the invention provide testing apparatuses, systems and methods. These embodiments may provide for an apparatus, system and method for non-invasive respiratory testing with multiple spectrometers. Also, the embodiments may provide for a system and method for determining test sufficiency for a non-invasive respiratory testing apparatus. Also, the embodiments may provide for a system and method for permitting access to a venue for a subject.