U.S. patent application number 15/910692 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-05 for portable device for detection of harmful substances.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nima Labs, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jonathan William Kiel, Jeffrey Mekler, Jacob Mooney, Scott Sundvor, Shireen Taleghani, John Walton.
Application Number | 20180188240 15/910692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51621209 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180188240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sundvor; Scott ; et
al. |
July 5, 2018 |
PORTABLE DEVICE FOR DETECTION OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
Abstract
A self-contained apparatus and methods for detecting the
presence of any specified substance in any medium. A sample of the
medium is placed in a capsule, along with a solvent and a sensor
configured to test for a target analyte. The solvent comes into
contact with the medium in the capsule, and the capsule is agitated
to create a dispersion in the solvent of a portion of any target
analyte present in the medium. A release mechanism configured to
cause conduction of the dispersion to the sensor, so that the
sensor produces an indication of presence of the target analyte if
the target analyte is present in the medium. The apparatus uses a
disposable capsule where the medium in question is placed and the
disposable capsule is placed inside a reader and analyzed for
presence of the harmful substance.
Inventors: |
Sundvor; Scott; (Cambridge,
CA) ; Walton; John; (Cambridge, MA) ; Kiel;
Jonathan William; (Ardmore, PA) ; Mekler;
Jeffrey; (Cambridge, MA) ; Taleghani; Shireen;
(San Francisco, CA) ; Mooney; Jacob; (Westford,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nima Labs, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51621209 |
Appl. No.: |
15/910692 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14227543 |
Mar 27, 2014 |
9939431 |
|
|
15910692 |
|
|
|
|
61806425 |
Mar 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
61874590 |
Sep 6, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/5308 20130101;
G01N 33/02 20130101; G01N 33/521 20130101; G01N 2001/2866
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 33/52 20060101
G01N033/52; G01N 33/53 20060101 G01N033/53; G01N 33/02 20060101
G01N033/02 |
Claims
1. A method for testing a medium for the presence of a target
analyte, the method comprising: a. placing the medium in a capsule,
the capsule characterized by a volume, wherein the capsule is
provisioned with a solvent and a sensor configured to test for the
target analyte; b. causing the solvent to come into contact with
the medium in the capsule; c. agitating the capsule, thereby
agitating the solvent and the medium and creating a dispersion in
the solvent of a portion of any target analyte present in the
medium; d. operating a release mechanism configured to cause
conduction of the dispersion to the sensor; and e. producing an
indication of presence of the target analyte if the target analyte
is present in the medium.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/227,543, filed 27 Mar. 2014, which claims the priority of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/806,425, filed Mar. 29,
2013, and of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/874,590,
filed Sep. 6, 2013, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is directed towards a consumer assay
device and, more particularly, to a device suited for immediate,
portable, point-of-use testing for specified substances within
foods, medicines, cosmetics, etc.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Food, drinks, cosmetics, etc. are known to contain
contaminants, toxins, allergens and other substances that may be
harmful to some, or to all, consumers. Consumers who have a
negative reaction to particular types of substances often have an
extremely difficult time when dealing with products, such as
restaurant food, a new type of lotion, new medicines, etc., because
of the likelihood that these products might contain some substance
that is harmful to them. For example, millions of children have a
variety of food-related allergies to foods such as milk, eggs, soy,
wheat, or other grains, or to particular proteins or other
allergens, and it can be extremely difficult for them and their
families to find suitable foods, especially while eating outside of
the home.
[0004] A device that could readily provide rapid diagnostics for
harmful substances would be extremely useful and make the lives of
consumers easier, safer, and less stressful.
[0005] Various methods exist for detection of most toxins and
harmful substances that might be present in foods or other media.
Examples of such methods entail testing in a sealable container
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,893), with a self-contained swab
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,040), and a container with multiple
ports (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,335). However, most of the
tests that are known in the art are, at the same time,
time-consuming and often unrealistic for consumer use because they
are bulky and require multiple steps. Such tests are suitable for a
laboratory or food manufacturing setting, but not for household
use.
[0006] Testing methods for substances of interest in food, such as
those in the above paragraph, have been around for decades in the
form of lateral flow devices (LFD). An example of a LFD is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,013, which is incorporated herein
by reference. LFDs can accurately detect substances of interest
dissolved in a liquid and are available for a variety of
substances. Application of a LFD to detect a substance of interest
requires the substance to be dissolved in a liquid. Extracting the
substance from food takes time and effort. The food or other test
material must be ground up in some form, placed in an appropriate
solvent for the substance, and enough time must pass so that the
substance is extracted by the solvent. Then, the solvent must be
placed in contact with the LFD so the LFD can check the liquid for
the substance of interest.
[0007] An LFD cannot be placed in the presence of the solvent
before the extraction has occurred because, due to the operation of
the LFD, it will be rendered useless.
[0008] The aforesaid steps and requirements make testing items such
as food or cosmetics difficult unless the individual has space,
time and knowledge. Providing a platform to accomplish all steps at
once in an easy-to-use, portable and fast device would be of great
help to millions of individuals.
[0009] Devices to aid in the maceration (otherwise referred to
herein as "blending") of solid samples, such as food, have been
described in the past, however each prior art device has
limitations. Examples of prior art maceration devices for consumer
food testing may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,527,765, 7,776,266,
and 8,211,715, all to Royds. Royds describes a device that can
liquefy food using a reusable blending apparatus, which is not
optimal for multiple repeated use in that it requires thorough
cleaning between successive uses. Moreover, the Royds device
requires multiple user steps to successively mix a sample in a
solvent and then to detect toxins. The device taught by Royds does
not allow for the liquidized food to be moved from the mixing area
to a testing area, therefore the user must administer the test to
the food himself or remove the liquefied food and move it to the
testing area. In either case, the user's options are compromised,
and the test is necessarily less discreet and more cumbersome than
might be desired.
[0010] The concept of integrating maceration and testing facilities
has long been known, and appears, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
4,822,174, to Deibel. The blending device taught by Deibel is
contained within a vessel that allows for continuous mixing inside
the vessel with a power supply outside the vessel. In the Deibel
device, a rotating mixing blade is driven by a horizontal shaft
that couples the blades to the motor. While such devices may be
suitable for larger scale mixing, a far simpler one-time-use mixing
device would be desirable for the consumer needs outlined
above.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0011] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention, a method is provided for testing a medium for the
presence of a target analyte. The method has steps of: [0012] a.
placing the medium in a capsule, the capsule characterized by a
volume, wherein the capsule is provisioned with a solvent and a
sensor configured to test for the target analyte; [0013] b. causing
the solvent to come into contact with the medium in the capsule;
[0014] c. agitating the capsule, thereby agitating the solvent and
the medium and creating a dispersion in the solvent of a portion of
any target analyte present in the medium; [0015] d. operating a
release mechanism configured to cause conduction of the dispersion
to the sensor; and [0016] e. producing an indication of presence of
the target analyte if the target analyte is present in the
medium.
[0017] In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, at
least a portion of the sensor is visible outside of the capsule.
The release mechanism may be a valve disposed in a fluid path
between the capsule and a portion of the sensor disposed outside of
the capsule. The sensor may be disposed at least partially inside
the capsule volume.
[0018] In further embodiments of the invention, agitation may be
provided by a mixing apparatus. The solvent may be provided in a
separate chamber within the capsule; and a valve may be activated
to release the solvent to come in contact with the medium. The
valve may be actuated by at least one of a mechanical actuator and
an electromechanical actuator, and, at least in part, by a force
applied by a user. The solvent may be filtered en route to the
sensor.
[0019] In yet further embodiments, the step of agitating may
include operating the mixing apparatus from outside the capsule.
Power may be provided to the mixing apparatus by an
electromechanical actuator or by a user of the device. The method
may include a further step of providing for reading of the sensor
by connection through physical, electronic, or electromagnetic
methods to an outside housing. The method may also include a
further step of transmitting a test result electronically,
electromagnetically, or visually to an external device.
[0020] In embodiments of the claimed method, the medium may be a
consumable or a substance that will come in contact with human or
animal skin, and the target analyte may be a food allergen. The
target analyte may be chosen from the group of materials causing
negative responses in certain humans, including caffeine,
phenylalanine, aspartame, MSG, heavy metals, artificial flavors,
and artificial colors. Alternatively, the target analyte may be
chosen from the group of pathogens including bacteria, viruses,
fungus, yeast, pesticides, and other toxins, or from the group of
dietary units including fat, protein, sugar, sodium, cholesterol,
vitamins, and minerals.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a self-contained portable analysis device is provided. The
self-contained portable analysis device has a housing with a
capsule insertion port disposed in the housing for releasably
receiving a capsule configured to retain a medium. The analysis
device also has a sensor holder for retaining a sensor (which may
be referred to herein as the "analysis device sensor," to
distinguish it from other sensors to which reference is made) and
configured to bring the analysis device sensor into contact with
contents of the capsule. The analysis device also has a release
mechanism, disposed within the housing and coupled to a valve
within the capsule; the valve for gating contact between the
contents of the capsule and the sensor within the capsule, and the
release mechanism configured to cause contact between the contents
of the capsule and the sensor. The analysis device sensor can then
read the result of the sensor in the capsule, and transmit the
result to the user.
[0022] In alternate embodiments of the invention, the
self-contained portable analysis device may also have a filter
disposed in a path traversed by the contents of the capsule
antecedent to contact with the sensor. The sensor holder may be
integral with the capsule. The self-contained portable analysis
device may also have an electromechanical actuator, coupled to the
housing, configured to cause mixing of the medium sample and the
solvent within the capsule. Furthermore, it may have a transparent
or partially opaque viewport allowing the result from the sensor to
be read from outside the housing.
[0023] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a capsule is provided for use in a self-contained
portable analysis device. The capsule has an enclosed volume for
retaining a solvent and a medium sample, a cap adapted to permit
introduction of the medium sample into the enclosed volume by a
user, and a sensor holder for retaining a sensor and adapted for
bringing the sensor in contact with contents of the capsule.
[0024] In other embodiments of the invention, the capsule may also
have a valve adapted to gate contact between contents of the
enclosed volume and the sensor. This valve may be a time driven
mechanism such as a dissolvable wall, a timed valve that breaks a
seal, or a material that absorbs solution at a known rate. The
capsule may have a filter disposed between the contents of the
enclosed volume and the sensor. The capsule may also have a
metering element built into the cap or capsule, the metering
element adapted to permit a specific volume or weight of medium
sample into the enclosed capsule volume. The capsule may have a
separate chamber adapted for introduction of the solvent and for
withdrawal of the solvent upon actuation of a valve. The capsule
also may be equipped with a mixer, which, as defined herein,
includes mixing blades, grinders, ball bearings or the like, that
aid in the mixing of the solvent and the medium to be tested.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1A is a top view of a portable analysis device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, while FIG.
1B is a cross-sectional view of salient components of the portable
analysis device of FIG. 1A.
[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts depicting processes for
consumer analysis of samples for detection of harmful constituents,
in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention.
[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective outside and cross-sectional
views, respectively, of a top end cap containing components for
releasing a valve in a capsule, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective outside and cross-sectional
views, respectively, of a capsule used to mix and test a medium, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a capsule and a reader and schematically
depicts insertion of the capsule into the reader in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Definitions
[0031] As used in this description and the accompanying claims, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless the
context otherwise requires:
[0032] A "food substrate" is a food substance or an item that comes
into contact with a food substance such as a utensil, swab, textile
(for example: a napkin or paper) or other similar items. A food
substrate is one instance of a "medium" that may be analyzed in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] A "medium" is any substrate or sample that is to be tested
for any of the target analytes. Examples of media, as the term is
used herein, include a food substrate, a cosmetic, a lotion or
anything that comes into contact with the body of a human or
animal. It may also be a consumable, as the term is defined below.
Some, but not all, media come in contact with human or animal skin.
Examples of media that come in contact with human or animal skin
include lotions, creams, soaps, cosmetics, and the like.
[0034] A "capsule" is any vial, container or other such item that
can hold a liquid, gaseous, or solid material. A "capsule" may be
disposable or reusable and may be removable from a larger testing
housing or may be permanently affixed.
[0035] To "provision" a capsule means to equip with any object or
resource needed to facilitate and complete testing for an analyte.
This can include but is not limited to chemicals, electrical or
mechanical equipment, and sensing devices. Provisioning may occur
before, during, or after a test is run.
[0036] A "test strip" is any substrate or liquid medium or sensor
that provides a detectable response to an analyte for which the
device is testing. The "test strip" may take the form of an "actual
strip," which is to say a material that is long, narrow and flat,
but also includes any other embodiment indicated by the design of
the capsule.
[0037] An "indication" of presence of the target analyte is any
detectable response of the analyte to a sensing medium. This could
be in the form of a color change, fluorescence emission, infrared
emission, magnetic response, electrical response, acoustic change
or other type of detectable response.
[0038] A "dispersion" refers to any mixture combining the solvent
used for extracting the analyte with a sample of the sampled
medium. A "dispersion" may include inhomogeneous mixtures,
completely dissolved homogenous mixtures and any variation of the
two. Unless expressly distinguished in a particular context, the
words dispersion, mixture, solvate and solution are used
interchangeably in the present description.
[0039] A "valve" is any device for controlling or gating the
passage of a liquid, solid, or gas.
[0040] Bringing a solvent into contact with a medium resulting in a
mixture or solution may be referred to herein as "mixing."
[0041] A "sensor" is any substrate or device that can be used to
detect the presence of a medium. A "test strip" is an example of
one instance of a "sensor."
[0042] A "mixer," as the term is used herein, is any structure,
such as mixing blades, grinders or the like, that may aid in the
mixing of a medium and a solvent.
[0043] Interpreting the result from a sensor or test strip, whether
visually, electronically, or mechanically, or by other means, may
be referred to herein as "reading."
[0044] A "consumable," as the term is used herein, includes a solid
or a liquid that is consumed by humans or animals, such as a foods,
beverages, medicines, and the like.
[0045] Representative embodiments of the present invention are now
described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing outside and
cross sectional views of a self-contained reader/container
assembly, designated generally by numeral 101. Reader/container
assembly 101 may also be referred to herein as a "reader." The
scope of the present invention does not limit the shape or design
of the container depicted here, and may be cylindrical, pyramidal,
a hybrid of multiple 3D shapes or other shape that may contain a
solid or liquid medium for mixing. The housing of the container may
be made of plastic, metal or any other material, depending upon
design or manufacturing preference and the needs of the user.
Contained within the container are all the electrical and
mechanical components required to mix the media with the solvent,
release the mixture from its containment allowing it to be
delivered to the test strip, and read the results of the test
strip.
[0046] A housing 103 of the reader 101 is composed of a housing
left end cap 100, an outer sheath 105, an inner sheath 140, housing
right end cap 141, and a compression button 145. These components
of the housing 103 enclose electronics (circuit board(s),
battery(ies), etc.) 190 for the reader, a motor to drive the mixing
180, a solenoid 175 to properly align a disposable capsule 200
(shown in FIG. 4A) so that test strip 299 (shown in FIG. 4B) may be
positioned correctly in test strip holder 235 to be read by the
reader, a housing slot for the capsule 115, and the associated
equipment to release the media/solvent mixture inside the capsule
200 to the test strip 299, as now described.
[0047] A mechanism for releasing the fluid inside the capsule may
include a button 145 connected to a valve release rod 150 that
opens a valve in the capsule when actuated. The valve release rod
150 is aligned by a bushing 160, and is returned back into starting
position by a compression spring 135.
[0048] Once inserted into the reader 101, the capsule is aligned
axially by mating the bearing/capsule female coupling 261 (shown in
FIG. 4B) with the bearing/capsule male coupling 111. The
bearing/capsule male coupling 111 is fitted into a bearing 120
which is fitted into the sliding compression mount 155. When the
reader is closed, compression spring 125 forces the capsule to
contact the motor/capsule coupling 110 on one end, and the
bearing/capsule coupling 111 on the other end. This aligns and
constrains the capsule axially, and allows it to rotate with the
motor 180 and bearing 120. In an alternate embodiment of the
invention, this agitation mechanism, or another agitation mechanism
involving internal blades, a grinder, a grater, vibration, etc.,
may be operated through a drive-shaft, gearing, electromechanical,
magnetic, or other means.
[0049] The flowchart of FIG. 2A depicts steps in the processing of
a food sample, or substrate, in accordance with certain embodiments
of the present invention. In a first step 301, a medium 260 (shown
in FIG. 4B) is placed into capsule 200, wherein the capsule is
provisioned with a solvent and a test strip configured to test for
the target analyte. The solvent is caused, in step 303, to come
into contact with the medium in the capsule. The capsule, powered
by a motor directly by the user, is agitated 305 so as to mix the
solvent and medium and to enhance dispersing or dissolving, thereby
creating a dispersion, in the solvent, of a portion of any target
analyte present in the medium. A release mechanism is operated 307
in such a way as to cause conduction 309 of the dispersion to the
test strip 299 (shown in FIG. 4B), so that test strip 299 produces
an indication of presence of the target analyte if the target
analyte is present in the medium. Any such indication may then be
read 311, either by a user or automatically (i.e., by an electrical
sensor in the device).
[0050] The flowchart in FIG. 2B depicts steps in the processing of
medium 260 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the
present invention. In the first step 401, the medium is sampled by
an apparatus 210, built into capsule 200, wherein the capsule is
provisioned with a solvent and a test strip 299 configured to test
for the target analyte. In one embodiment of the invention,
apparatus 210 samples a specific and pre-defined volume or weight
of the medium being tested. In one embodiment of the invention, the
solvent is provisioned within a separate chamber 250 in the capsule
200, until a valve 255 is actuated to release the solvent to come
in contact with the medium 260. Valve 255 may be actuated by a
mechanical device such as a spring, lever, etc., or by an
electromechanical device such as a motor, solenoid, etc., or by
force applied from the user. Medium 260 is then agitated (405)
within the capsule, with agitation driven by a motor, ultrasonic
actuator, the user, etc., in order to create a dispersion of any
portion of the target analyte present in the medium. In one
embodiment, a release mechanism is operated (407) in such a way as
to cause conduction of the dispersion through a filter (409) in
order to filter out any solid particles or other material that
could affect the validity or sensitivity of the test, thereby
improving the detection of the test. The filter is disposed between
the solvent and/or medium and the sensor. The dispersion is then
conducted (411) to the test strip, so that the test strip produces
an indication of presence of the target analyte if the target
analyte is present in the medium. Any such indication may then be
read (413) either by a user or automatically. This indication may
then be transmitted (415) electronically, magnetically,
electromagnetically, visually, mechanically, through
radio-frequency, etc. to a mobile phone, tablet, computer, or other
device, including devices of a 3.sup.rd party device.
[0051] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective outer and cross sectional
views of the top end cap 141 (shown in FIG. 1B) containing all the
components required to release the valve on the capsule. Components
of FIGS. 3A and 3B also appear in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of the
invention depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the release rod is inserted
by the user, but, within the scope of the present invention,
insertion may also be by any electro-mechanical means such as a
solenoid, for example.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, outer and cross sectional
views are shown of the capsule 200 used to mix and test the media.
The capsule is comprised the left capsule end cap 205, right
capsule end cap 230, and capsule shell 215. Cut into the left end
cap 205 is an alignment slot 201 that allows for the solenoid to
engage and properly align the capsule, after mixing, for correct
reading of the test strip used. The left end cap 205 also contains
a holder for any utensil, such as a swab or spoon, which may be
used to gather food and insert into the capsule and a female slot
260 for coupling with the mixing motor. In this embodiment the
motor is coupled through a compression fitting, although many types
of mechanical, electrical or magnetic coupling would work.
[0053] The left end cap 205 is a compression fitted cap that can be
removed to allow food or other media to be inserted into the
capsule. Once food or other media is put into the capsule the left
end cap 205 is replaced onto the capsule housing 215 and the
capsule is then inserted into the housing 101 at the position
designated by numeral 115 in FIG. 1. The right end cap 230 contains
the valve door 220 (otherwise referred to herein as a "valve"),
valve release rod coupling 225, and an insertion slot 240 for the
release rod. When the reader is closed, the motor/capsule female
coupling 260 is compressed into the motor/capsule male coupling
port 110 (shown in FIG. 1) so that torque can be transmitted from
the motor to the capsule, which is required for mixing to begin.
Once mixing is completed the release rod 150 (shown in FIG. 1) is
pushed into the insertion slot 240 for the release rod. This opens
the valve door 220 by pushing the valve release rod coupling 225
open and allows the mixture inside the capsule to contact a sensor,
of which test strip 299 is an example. The test strip 299 is
connected to the valve and is sent outside the capsule via the test
strip exit slot 245 so it can be read by the reader (FIG. 1). In
some embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the sensor
is visible outside the capsule. In other embodiments of the
invention, at least a portion of the sensor is disposed outside the
capsule.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows capsule 200 and reader 101 together and how
capsule 200 is inserted into reader 101. The outside sheath 105 of
the reader is rotated to open the holding area for the capsule 115.
The capsule is placed directly into the capsule insertion port 185
and the sheath 105 is then rotated closed. The compression spring
135 (shown in FIG. 1) compresses the capsule female motor coupling
port 260 onto the male motor coupling and locks the capsule in
place, at which point testing can begin.
[0055] In certain embodiments of the invention, the apparatus
described herein is used to extract samples potentially containing
toxins or other analytes from specific media and to deliver any
extracted toxins to an appropriate sensor. The sampled medium may
be any medium that may be consumed or that may contact an
individual or animal. Examples include foods, drinks, medicines,
vitamins, cosmetics, lotions, etc., all recited without limitation,
and may also include any medium that has come into contact with a
consumable item. The toxins for which testing is performed may be
anything that produces a negative response from the individual or
animal such as a poison, a bacterium, a fungus, an allergen,
pesticides, MSG, heavy metals, etc. The toxins tested for may also
be anything that an individual may want to monitor intake levels of
such as caffeine, phenylalanine, aspartame, artificial flavors or
colors, fat, proteins, sugars, sodium, cholesterol, vitamins,
minerals, etc. The target analyte may also be chosen from the group
of pathogens including bacteria, fungus, yeast, pesticides, and
other toxins. The target analyte may also be a dietary unit chosen
from the group including fat, protein, sugar, sodium, cholesterol,
vitamins, and minerals.
[0056] The testing device consists of two main components; a
container 200 that mixes the sampled medium, with an extraction
solution and delivers the extraction solution to a sensor, and a
housing unit that powers the mixer and reads the result of the
sensor. Depending on the specific embodiment of the sensor, such as
a visually-based sensor, the housing unit may or may need to read
the result of the sensor. Test strip 299 is an example of such a
sensor.
[0057] This device described in accordance with the present
invention may advantageously allow individuals to rapidly test any
consumer product that may contain a substance harmful to them. For
example, many foods contain allergens that cause a multitude of
problems from rashes and gastric distress to anaphylactic shock.
Consumers who are affected by one of these allergens currently have
no rapid method to test any food they encounter so they must be
extremely sure of the content of the food or avoid it completely.
Devices in accordance with the present invention, however, allow
the consumer to test a small sample of the food very quickly to
determine if it contains any harmful contaminants to them.
[0058] It should be understood that, within the scope of the
present invention, the medium to be sampled may be placed into
capsule 200 that contains a solvent designed to extract a specific
analyte contained within the media. The sampled medium may be
placed into the capsule directly or may be added via a tool such as
a swab, spoon or other utensil. Capsule 200 is equipped with a
sensor (of which test strip 299 is an example) that will detect the
presence of the target analyte. The sensor may be in the form of a
strip, such as a lateral flow device, or another type of sensor,
now known or later invented, that displays results in a variety of
forms such as color change, spectral emission, magnetic, electrical
current or bias, acoustic or any other known sensing method.
[0059] Once the food substrate or other sampled medium is placed
into capsule 200, the capsule is placed into a reader housing 103
where the sampled medium and the solvent are mixed together to
enhance extraction of the target analyte. In the embodiment
described herein the mixing is caused by rotating or oscillating
capsule 200 to create agitation, but it is to be understood that
any other embodiment of mixing, using apparatus such as blades,
grinders, shakers, or agitators, provided by way of example, are
within the scope of the present invention. Power may be supplied to
the mixing by means of a motor rotating the capsule, a motor
rotating the mixing agitators, ultrasonic actuation, or
magnetically, all recited by way of example. Mixing enhancers such
as ball bearings or the like, contained within the capsule, may be
employed in conjunction with any of the aforesaid mixing
modalities. All of the forgoing are non-exhaustive examples of
mixing apparatus. The mixing apparatus may be adapted for operation
from outside the capsule, as through a drive-shaft, gearing,
electro-mechanical, magnetic or other means. Power may be supplied
to the mixing device by the user, as by manually turning the
grinders, pushing the medium through a grinding, grating or mixing
apparatus, manually shaking, or rotating the device, all recited by
way of example.
[0060] After mixing is complete, capsule 200 releases the
solvent/media mixture so the solution contacts the test being used.
In one embodiment of the invention, a valve 220 is used to release
the mixture to the sensor, and, more particularly, to a portion of
the sensor that is disposed outside of the capsule. However any
number of mixture release mechanisms could be used. Valve 220 may
be actuated by a mechanical actuator or an electromagnetic
actuator, or both. A spring and a lever are non-exhaustive examples
of mechanical actuators. A motor, a solenoid and an electromagnet
are non-exhaustive examples of electromechanical actuators.
[0061] Once the mixture reaches the sensor, the sensor checks the
mixture for the presence of the target analyte, and the reader
determines the result of the test. If the test is positive, an
indication, either through indicator lights, a visual screen, or
other mechanical or optical means, displays the positive result, or
similarly displays a negative result for the target analyte. A test
result may be transmitted to an external device. The external
device may be a third-party device, and it may be a mobile phone,
tablet, or computer, for example.
[0062] Embodiments of the invention described above are intended to
be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and
modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present
invention as defined in any appended claims.
* * * * *