VOC Sensor Array for Non-Invasive Disease Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases in large groups, such as in enclosed environments, are invasive, expensive, and time-consuming, requiring individual sampling and testing by trained personnel, which is impractical for rapid screening and pre-screening of large numbers of subjects.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic, non-invasive system that detects diseases by analyzing the digital fingerprints of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the environment's atmosphere, using an air sampling unit, a sensor set, and a pattern recognition analyzer to identify specific disease patterns, allowing for continuous monitoring and alerting of disease presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual testing methods (PCR, Elisa) are used for each subject, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming procedures and requirement for trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling procedures with automated air sampling systems that continuously collect and analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the environment, eliminating the need for trained personnel to perform invasive swabbing while maintaining detection accuracy through electronic sensor arrays and pattern recognition algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital fingerprint copy of the disease signature by analyzing patterns of VOCs in the air, which serves as a surrogate for direct subject testing. This digital representation allows rapid comparison and identification of disease presence without requiring physical contact with each individual
2Measurement precision
If invasive testing methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for trained personnel and intrusive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The air sampling system operates autonomously without requiring trained personnel to perform sampling or analysis. The automated apparatus continuously monitors the environment, collects air samples, analyzes VOC patterns, and generates disease detection results independently, making the operation simple and accessible to untrained users
3Measurement precision
If individual testing of large groups is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time deteriorates due to time-consuming testing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous air sampling and real-time analysis of VOC patterns, allowing simultaneous monitoring of multiple subjects in the environment. This continuous operation enables rapid identification of disease presence across large groups without the sequential time delays inherent in individual testing procedures
4Productivity
If comprehensive air sampling is performed, then productivity is improved through rapid screening, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is designed to detect multiple different VOC patterns corresponding to various diseases simultaneously. The system performs multiple functions including sampling, analysis, pattern recognition, and disease identification through a single integrated apparatus, increasing screening capacity without proportionally increasing operational complexity
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, cost-effective, and non-invasive detection of diseases in large groups, reducing the need for individual testing and allowing for quick identification and tracking of outbreaks, with the ability to adapt to new diseases by updating the digital library.
Implementation Method 1
a selected definitive sensor set comprising at least two sensors reactive to the presence of specific odours or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the air sample
Implementation Method 2
a processing unit comprising a pattern recognition analyser, wherein the pattern recognition analyser receives output signals of the sensor set, compares them to disease-specific patterns derived from a database
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for detecting the presence in an enclosed environment of a subject or subjects infected with viral, bacterial and/or parasitic disease or diseases, the apparatus comprising: (a) an air sampling unit (1) able to take an air sample of the atmosphere in the enclosed environment and to divert said sample for sensing; (b) a selected definitive sensor set (9) comprising at least two sensors reactive to the presence of specific odours or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the air sample taken from the environment; (c) a processing unit (10) comprising a pattern recognition analyser, wherein the pattern recognition analyser receives output signals of the sensor set, compares them to disease—specific patterns derived from a database of response patterns of the sensor set exposed to the totality of the bodily emissions of subjects with known disease or diseases, wherein each of the disease-specific patterns is characteristic of a particular disease, selected from bacteriological, viral and parasitic disease, and selects a closest match between the output signals of the sensor set and the disease-specific pattern; and (d) a control system that triggers the sampling of the air space of the environment at pre-determined times or intervals for rendering the apparatus entirely automatic and self-contained in operation, wherein the air sampling unit comprises: a surface (2) for capturing VOCs from the air sample; and a heater (3) for heating the surface to release captured VOCs when diverting the air sample for sensing.