Patent Application
20220113294
The COVID-19 and other world-wide epidemics are raising an urgent need for a low-cost, disposable device for screening a large scale of population in order to identify and isolate infected persons.
A pathogen detection method includes providing a sensor having first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines, the first and second lines being formed over a substrate providing electrical isolation between the first and second lines and being at least partially exposed. Via voltage circuitry, a voltage difference is applied between the first and second lines. The method includes applying a user's breath to the sensor and contacting exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. Pathogens from the user's breath bridge the electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line and cause a short circuit. Via a comparator or controller, a current is detected flowing in the first and second lines due to the short circuit through the pathogens. The method includes, via a warning module, indicating that the comparator or controller detected the current is above a warning threshold.
A pathogen detection apparatus includes a sensor having first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines, the first and second lines being formed over a substrate providing electrical isolation between the first and second lines and being at least partially exposed such that, during use, a user's breath contacts exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. Voltage circuitry is configured to apply, during use, a voltage difference between the first and second lines. A comparator or controller is configured to detect when a current flows in the first and second lines due to a short circuit through pathogens from the user's breath bridging the electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line. A warning module is configured to indicate when the comparator or controller detects the current flow above a warning threshold.
The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in yet other implementations further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
Some implementations are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
Numerous circumstances arise in which a desire exists to screen people quickly who are potentially infected with a pathogen. During the COVID-19 pandemic, screening procedures often included measuring body temperature and/or completing a survey about health conditions. However, such screening cannot detect infected persons before the onset of illness symptoms. Large numbers of people pass through transportation centers, employment centers, health care facilities, etc. where infected persons could potentially transmit pathogens to numerous other people before illness symptoms begin. Accordingly, these circumstances raise an urgent need for a device to screen large populations in an economical manner in order to identify and isolate infected persons. Once screening identifies an infected person, known higher cost and more time-consuming testing may determine the nature of the illness.
Some examples described herein operate on the principle that infected persons' exhaled breath may carry pathogens that transmit an illness to other persons before other symptoms begin. But, exhaled pathogens might also be detected with a suitable device. Some examples herein provide a pathogen detection apparatus with a sensor including first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines such that, during use, a user's breath contacts exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. A voltage difference is applied between the first and second lines. A comparator or controller may detect when a current flows in the first and second lines due to a short circuit through pathogens from the user's breath bridging electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line. A warning module may indicate when the comparator or controller detects the current flow above a warning threshold. In this manner, infected persons may be identified almost instantly simply by collecting exhaled breath.
Therefore, instead of relying on samples of bodily fluid to conduct costly testing that gives time-delayed results, some examples herein yield very quick results using low-cost devices. In one implementation, various methods and apparatuses described herein use a disposable electronic chip and device for fast screening of a population suffering infection by a pathogen.
According to one of the apparatuses described herein, an electronic chip is capable of detecting an abnormal quantity of pathogens, such as viruses and/or microbes, in the breath. A device containing this chip is used to send an alert once an abnormal quantity of pathogens, such as viruses and/or microbes, is detected. While viruses and/or microbes are chiefly discussed herein, other categories of pathogens may be detected.
According to another one of the apparatuses described herein, an electronic chip is built on a substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and constructed of alternated conductive lines with isolation between the lines. Voltage is applied to the chip to create a voltage difference of 3 or more volts between opposing lines.
As an example, all the higher voltage lines may be formed from a continuous conductive material. All the lower voltage lines may be formed from the same or a different continuous conductive material separated from the higher voltage lines. The lines' output may be connected to an amplifier that can be part of the chip or can be a separate chip. The output of the amplifier may be connected to a comparator, pre-set to healthy peoples' pathogen level in the breath. The comparator issues an alarm once the level of the pathogens are above the pre-set level.
The electronic chip may be protected by a removable protective layer which can be made, for example, of a flexible thin plastic material. Once the protective layer is removed and a person blows on the chip, pathogens may create a short circuit between the alternated conductive lines and produce a current. The current created is proportional to the number of pathogens in the breath and is used to identify an infected person and to issue an alarm.
The distance between the conductive lines may be 50 nanometers (nm) or less, so the smallest virus may create a short circuit between the lines, while for molecules, such as H2O, which are much smaller, no short circuit will be created.
In the case that the device is intended to identify only viruses, a filter that allows only particles less than 500 nm in size may be placed in front of the sensitive area of the sensor. This arrangement might also dramatically reduce false positive detection of an infection.
A modified chip may be built of two layers of orthogonal lines, with isolation between the layers, including at the crossing of the lines. Holes formed, such as by etching, through the isolation between the lines of the upper layer may expose the orthogonal lines of the second layer, thus creating a net of voltage lines that may more effectively detect pathogens.
Another modification may provide through-holes between the net lines of the modified chip, so that air can pass through. By assembling a matrix of several chips arranged side-by-side, a filter may be fashioned that will not allow pathogens to pass through.
A pathogen detection device may include an ATD (analog-to-digital) converter or a VTF (voltage-to-frequency) converter and micro-processor and a display to measure and display quantitative measurement of the number of pathogens in addition to issuing an alarm when above a threshold, as described above.
While holes 30 through isolation layer 32 expose portions of voltage lines 24/26 on substrate 22, holes 30 also expose holes 42 that are formed through substrate 22. Thus, holes 30 aligned with holes 42 allow air passage through sensor 40 to be used as a filter. Also, holes 46 through isolation layer 32 align with holes 44 through substrate 22 to allow air passage through sensor 40 to be used as a filter. As an example, holes 42, 44, 46 may have a width of 40 nm or less to allow air, water, and other molecules through, but not most pathogens. Holes 30 may have a width of 50 nm or less and a length of 150 nm or less. Several sensors 40 may be placed side-by-side in a matrix and provide sufficient surface area for breathing. Exhaled pathogens may be destroyed when they short circuit between voltage lines 34/36 or 24/26 or, otherwise, will not pass through holes 42, 44, 46.
In the event that electronic board 62 includes the circuit of
Apparatuses and Methods
The discoveries described herein identify a number of solutions that may be implemented in apparatuses and methods also described herein. Multiple solutions may be combined for implementation, enabling still further apparatuses and methods. The inventors expressly contemplate that the various options described herein for individual apparatuses and methods are not intended to be so limited except where incompatible with other apparatuses and methods. The features and benefits of individual apparatuses herein may also be used in combination with methods and other apparatuses described herein even though not specifically indicated elsewhere. Similarly, the features and benefits of individual methods herein may also be used in combination with apparatuses and other methods described herein even though not specifically indicated elsewhere.
Method A includes providing a sensor including first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines, the first and second lines being formed over a substrate providing electrical isolation between the first and second lines and being at least partially exposed. Via voltage circuitry, a voltage difference is applied between the first and second lines. The method includes applying a user's breath to the sensor and contacting exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. Pathogens from the user's breath bridge the electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line and causing a short circuit. Via a comparator or controller, a current is detected flowing in the first and second lines due to the short circuit through the pathogens. The method includes, via a warning module, indicating that the comparator or controller detected the current is above a warning threshold.
Additional features may be implemented in Method A. By way of example, the exposed parts of the first and second lines may form a sensitive area of the sensor. Within the sensitive area, the first lines may be separated from the second lines by a distance of 50 nanometers or less.
The sensor may include third conductive lines alternated with fourth conductive lines. The third and fourth lines may be formed over an isolation layer providing electrical isolation between the third and fourth lines and be at least partially exposed.
The third and fourth lines may be formed at elevational levels over the first and second lines. The isolation layer may provide electrical isolation between the third/fourth lines and the first/second lines.
The voltage circuitry may also apply the voltage difference between the third and fourth lines. Accordingly, the user's breath to the sensor may also contact exposed parts of the third lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the fourth lines. The pathogens from the user's breath may also bridge the electrical isolation between an individual third line and an opposing, individual fourth line and cause another short circuit. Therefore, the comparator or controller may also detect a current flowing in the third and fourth lines due to the other short circuit through the pathogens.
Holes may be formed through the isolation layer between the third and fourth lines and provide the exposed parts of the first and second lines.
Holes may be formed through the isolation layer between the third and fourth lines, holes may be formed through the substrate between the first and second lines, and the isolation layer holes may be aligned with the substrate holes. As a result, Method A may include applying the user's breath through the aligned holes with the sensor acting as a pathogen filter.
Method A may further include receiving the user's breath at an inlet of a conduit and directing the user's breath through a channel of the conduit to the sensor.
Method A may further include electrically connecting at least one electrical power source to the voltage circuitry.
Method A may further include, via a filter, blocking particles having a size of 500 nanometers or greater from reaching the sensor.
The described additional features of Method A may also be implemented in other apparatuses and methods herein.
Apparatus B includes a sensor having first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines, the first and second lines being formed over a substrate providing electrical isolation between the first and second lines and being at least partially exposed such that, during use, a user's breath contacts exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. Voltage circuitry is configured to apply, during use, a voltage difference between the first and second lines. A comparator or controller is configured to detect when a current flows in the first and second lines due to a short circuit through pathogens from the user's breath bridging the electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line. A warning module is configured to indicate when the comparator or controller detects the current flow above a warning threshold.
Additional features may be implemented in Apparatus B. By way of example, the exposed parts of the first and second lines may form a sensitive area of the sensor. Within the sensitive area, the first lines may be separated from the second lines by a distance of 50 nanometers or less.
The sensor may include third conductive lines alternated with fourth conductive lines, the third and fourth lines being formed over an isolation layer providing electrical isolation between the third and fourth lines and being at least partially exposed such that, during use, a user's breath contacts exposed parts of the third lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the fourth lines. The third and fourth lines may be formed at elevational levels over the first and second lines. The isolation layer may provide electrical isolation between the third/fourth lines and the first/second lines.
The first and second lines may be parallel to each other, the third and fourth lines may be parallel to each other, and the first and second lines may be orthogonal to the third and fourth lines.
Holes may be formed through the isolation layer between the third and fourth lines and provide the exposed parts of the first and second lines.
Holes may be formed through the isolation layer between the third and fourth lines, holes may be formed through the substrate between the first and second lines, and the isolation layer holes may be aligned with the substrate holes, providing a pathogen filter with the sensor.
A first, continuous conductive material may form all of the first lines, a second, continuous conductive material may form all of the second lines, and the first and second lines may be formed at a same elevational level over the substrate.
The sensor may include third conductive lines alternated with fourth conductive lines, the third and fourth lines being formed over an isolation layer providing electrical isolation between the third and fourth lines and being at least partially exposed such that, during use, a user's breath contacts exposed parts of the third lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the fourth lines. A third, continuous conductive material may form all of the third lines, a fourth, continuous conductive material may form all of the fourth lines, and the third and fourth lines may be formed at a same elevational level over the isolation layer. The elevational level of the third and fourth lines may be over the elevational level of the first and second lines and the isolation layer may provide electrical isolation between the third/fourth lines and the first/second lines.
Apparatus B may further include a conduit having an inlet configured to receive the user's breath and a channel from the inlet directed toward the sensor.
Apparatus B may further include at least one electrical power source electrically connected to the voltage circuitry.
Apparatus B may further include a filter configured to block particles having a size of 500 nanometers or greater from reaching the sensor.
The described additional features of Apparatus B may also be implemented in other devices and methods herein.
Although minima and/or maxima are listed for the above described ranges and other ranges designated herein, it should be understood that more narrow included ranges may also be desirable and may be distinguishable from prior art. Also, operating principles discussed herein may provide an additional basis for the lesser included ranges.
In compliance with the statute, the embodiments have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the specific features shown and described. The embodiments are, therefore, claimed in any of their forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 63/090,012, filed on Oct. 9, 2020 and entitled “Pathogen Detection Apparatus and Method”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63090012 | Oct 2020 | US |
