VOC Detection via Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infectious disease diagnosis methods are invasive, time-consuming, and inadequate for rapid screening of large groups, leading to potential spread of diseases and inefficiencies in treatment.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a fan to direct ambient air containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to a mass spectrometer with a heating element and membrane inlets for rapid, non-invasive detection of viral infections, enabling real-time monitoring and alert generation for virus presence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current diagnosis protocols (blood withdrawal, swabs) are used, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but the procedure becomes invasive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive detectionVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as intermediary substances that carry diagnostic information from the patient's breath to the mass spectrometer. Instead of directly analyzing biological samples through invasive procedures, the system detects metabolic signatures in exhaled breath VOCs, which serve as non-invasive proxies for disease state detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/invasive sampling methods (blood withdrawal, swabs) with a gas-phase analysis system. The mass spectrometer analyzes volatile organic compounds in breath air, substituting physical contact with biological tissues with remote chemical analysis of exhaled gases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If current diagnosis protocols are used, then individual diagnosis is possible, but large-scale screening becomes inefficient due to extended waiting periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening throughputVSAvoiddiagnosis waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mass spectrometer enables continuous real-time analysis of breath VOCs without interruption. The system can process multiple patients sequentially or simultaneously with rapid turnover, eliminating the extended waiting periods associated with traditional diagnostic methods that require sample processing, culturing, or complex laboratory analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs rapid VOC analysis that provides immediate diagnostic information, eliminating the need for extended waiting periods. By detecting disease-specific metabolic signatures in real-time, the system provides preliminary and potentially definitive diagnosis without the time-consuming steps of traditional protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If more diagnostic resources are allocated, then detection capability improves, but resource availability becomes insufficient for large groups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidresource availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mass spectrometer system is designed to be relatively portable and self-contained, requiring minimal external infrastructure or specialized laboratory resources. The system performs autonomous VOC analysis with automated sample introduction and data processing, reducing dependence on extensive diagnostic resources while maintaining high detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mass spectrometer can detect multiple different VOC signatures corresponding to various diseases and conditions using the same fundamental analytical platform. This multi-functionality allows a single resource to serve multiple diagnostic purposes and screen for different pathogens simultaneously, maximizing resource utilization across large populations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates rapid, non-invasive detection of viruses like COVID-19, allowing for immediate notification and mitigation of virus spread, with potential for large-scale, cost-efficient testing.

Implementation Method 1

The analysis device may include a heating element downstream of the inlet to heat the ambient air flow, causing resorption of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the heated air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The VOCs may be provided to one or more membrane inlets of the analysis device where the VOCs may be analyzed using a mass spectrometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Data Source

PatentUS20230127176A1Virus metabolites detection using environment air capture coupled to a tunable membrane inlet mass spectrometer

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure enable rapid detection of viruses present in ambient air flows. A fan disposed in an ambient environment may be activated to direct an air flow to an ambient inlet of an analysis device. As an ambient air flow enters an inlet of the analysis device, a heating element may introduce heat into the air flow, causing VOCs to be released. A mass spectrometer-based analysis device may be used to analyze the VOCs to detect the presence of one or more target VOCs that indicate the presence of a virus or other harmful molecule in the ambient air flow.