U.S. patent application number 17/518476 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-19 for systems and methods for collecting a biological sample from a passenger cabin.
This patent application is currently assigned to Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V.. Invention is credited to Arnau Castillo Gonzalez, Vanessa Gonzalez, Antonio Martinez-Murcia, Brian St. Rock.
Application Number | 20220155189 17/518476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220155189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gonzalez; Arnau Castillo ;
et al. |
May 19, 2022 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE FROM A
PASSENGER CABIN
Abstract
A system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger
cabin includes a collector for collecting particulate samples
positioned within at least one of a passenger cabin or a cabin air
outflow flow path. A method for collecting particulates from cabin
air includes capturing particulates in at least one of a passenger
cabin or a cabin air outflow flow path with a collector for a
period of time. The method includes removing the collector from at
least one of the passenger cabin or air outflow flow path for
testing. The method includes placing a clean collector into at
least one of the passenger cabin or a cabin air outflow flow path
for use during another period of time.
Inventors: |
Gonzalez; Arnau Castillo;
(Maarssen, NL) ; St. Rock; Brian; (Andover,
CT) ; Gonzalez; Vanessa; (Palma de Mallorca, ES)
; Martinez-Murcia; Antonio; (Elche, ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V. |
Nieuwegein |
|
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum
B.V.
Nieuwegein
NL
|
Appl. No.: |
17/518476 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63114330 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114339 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114350 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114064 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114366 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114157 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114386 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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63114400 |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
G01N 1/22 20060101
G01N001/22; B64D 13/08 20060101 B64D013/08; C12Q 1/70 20060101
C12Q001/70 |
Claims
1. A system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger
cabin comprising: a collector for collecting particulate samples
positioned within at least one of a passenger cabin or a cabin air
outflow flow path.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector includes
a continuous strip of collector material positioned along a
lengthwise side of the passenger cabin between a hull wall and the
passenger cabin.
3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector includes
a series of individual pieces of collector material spaced apart
along a lengthwise side of the passenger cabin between a hull wall
and the passenger cabin
4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein each individual piece
of collector material is spaced apart by a given number of rows of
seats.
5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector includes
a plurality of individual pieces of collector material below a row
of seats.
6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the plurality of
individual pieces of collector material are more proximate to a
hull wall than a cabin aisle.
7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector includes
a group of individual pieces of collector material on a hull wall
or a passenger seat back at a height more proximate to a top of a
passenger seat than a cabin floor.
8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector is
positioned within the cabin air outflow flow path, wherein the
cabin air outflow flow path is defined by a space between an
aircraft hull and a cabin floor.
9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector is
positioned within the cabin air outflow flow path, wherein the
outflow flow path is defined at least in part through an in-flight
entertainment system (IFE) filter racks.
10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector
includes a plurality of individual pieces of filter material.
11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector is
positioned within the cabin air outflow flow path, wherein the
cabin air outflow flow path is a galley insert air outflow flow
path.
12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector is
positioned within the cabin air outflow flow path, wherein the
cabin air outflow flow path is a cabin temperature outflow flow
path.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the particulate samples include
droplets and/or gases exhaled from passengers throughout a duration
of a flight.
14. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the collector is
configured and adapted to be removed from the passenger cabin or
cabin air outflow flow path for testing.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the cabin air outflow flow path
is a general cabin outlet flow path and wherein the collector is
positioned across the general cabin outlet flow path.
16. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aircraft galley
proximate to the passenger cabin and a pathogen identifying testing
unit within the aircraft galley.
17. The system of claim 17, wherein the pathogen identifying
testing unit includes a communication unit for communicating
results remotely, and wherein the pathogen identifying testing unit
is or includes a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing unit.
18. A method for collecting particulates from cabin air comprising:
capturing particulates in at least one of a passenger cabin or a
cabin air outflow flow path with a collector for a period of time;
removing the collector from at least one of the passenger cabin or
air outflow flow path for testing; and placing a clean collector
into at least one of the passenger cabin or a cabin air outflow
flow path for use during another period of time.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising conducting a
pathogen identifying test on at least one particulate captured in
the collector.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising relaying a result of
the pathogen identifying test to a central data center.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Applications with the following Ser. Nos. 63/114,330, 63/114,339,
63/114,350, 63/114,400, 63,114,064, 63/114,157, 63/114,386 and
63/114,366 all filed on Nov. 16, 2020. The contents of each of the
aforementioned Provisional Applications are herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to collecting a biological
sample and more particularly to systems and methods for collecting
a biological sample representative of a passenger cabin on an
aircraft using a collector.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] The spread progression of SARS-CoV-2 around the world has
brought attention to the systemic risks of economic globalization.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic there is a need for better
monitoring, detecting, and isolating ill passengers, specifically
due to the detrimental impact on the global economy, to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens during travel, e.g. air
travel, rail travel or the like, due to closed borders, movement
restrictions, and testing requirements.
[0004] The COVID-19 pandemic the air travel industry has proven
that air travel can be safe and that aircraft cabins have a
well-managed airflow that inhibits transmission of virus, and that
being seated onboard an aircraft is safer than shopping in large
stores. Governments and other authorities, however, need to assume
that aircraft are contaminated until proven "clean", as 25% of
COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic; but still
contagious. To date, travelers and governments have relied on
individual tests. Testing for viruses requires that samples be
taken of various bodily tissues and/or fluids. An adequate
concentration of material is needed, the concentration being
determined by the type and sensitivity of the testing procedure. It
could be difficult to get adequate samples from travelers for the
purposes of virus detection, contact tracing in the event of an
exposure, etc. It is also possible that the airline is required to
certify the arriving aircraft as being "virus free".
[0005] The conventional techniques have been considered
satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever
present need for improved monitoring, detecting, and isolating
systems and methods. This disclosure provides a solution for this
need.
SUMMARY
[0006] A system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger
cabin includes a collector for collecting particulate samples
positioned within at least one of a passenger cabin or a cabin air
outflow flow path.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the collector includes a continuous
strip of collector material positioned along a lengthwise side of
the passenger cabin between a hull wall and the passenger cabin.
The collector can include a series of individual pieces of
collector material spaced apart along a lengthwise side of the
passenger cabin between a hull wall and the passenger cabin. Each
individual piece of collector material can be spaced apart by a
given number of rows of seats.
[0008] The collector can include a plurality of individual pieces
of collector material below a row of seats. The plurality of
individual pieces of collector material can be more proximate to a
hull wall than a cabin aisle. The collector can include a group of
individual pieces of collector material on a hull wall or a
passenger seat back at a height more proximate to a top of a
passenger seat than a cabin floor. The cabin air outflow flow path
can be defined by a space between an aircraft hull and a cabin
floor. The collector can be positioned within the cabin air outflow
flow path. The outflow flow path can be defined at least in part
through an in-flight entertainment system (IFE) filter racks. The
collector can include a plurality of individual pieces of filter
material. The cabin air outflow flow path can be a galley insert
air outflow flow path. The collector can be positioned within the
cabin air outflow flow path. The cabin air outflow flow path can be
a cabin temperature outflow flow path.
[0009] The particulate samples can include droplets exhaled from
passengers throughout a duration of a flight. The collector can be
configured and adapted to be removed from the passenger cabin or
cabin air outflow flow path for testing. The cabin air outflow flow
path can be a general cabin outlet flow path and wherein the
collector can be positioned across the general cabin outlet flow
path. The system can include an aircraft galley proximate to the
passenger cabin and a pathogen identifying testing unit within the
aircraft galley. The pathogen identifying testing unit can include
a communication unit for communicating results remotely. In certain
embodiments, the pathogen identifying testing unit can include a
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing unit.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect, a method for collecting
particulates from cabin air includes capturing particulates in at
least one of a passenger cabin or a cabin air outflow flow path
with a collector for a period of time. The method includes removing
the collector from at least one of the passenger cabin or air
outflow flow path for testing. The method includes placing a clean
collector into at least one of the passenger cabin or a cabin air
outflow flow path for use during another period of time.
[0011] The method can include conducting a pathogen identifying
test on at least one particulate captured in the collector. The
method includes relaying a result of the pathogen identifying test
to a central data center. In certain embodiments, conducting the
pathogen identifying test can include conducting a PCR test on at
least one particulate captured in the collector.
[0012] These and other features of the systems and methods of the
subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject
disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use
the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue
experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in
detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of a system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger
cabin constructed in accordance with the present disclosure,
showing a collector positioned within the passenger cabin in a
cabin air outflow flow path;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the system of FIG. 1,
showing a continuous strip of collector material positioned along
lengthwise sides of the passenger cabin;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a schematic top plan view of another embodiment
of a system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger
cabin constructed in accordance with the present disclosure,
showing separate strips of collector material spaced apart along
lengthwise sides of the passenger cabin;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a schematic top plan view of the system of FIG.
3A, showing a separate strip of collector material positioned along
a lengthwise side of the passenger cabin;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of
FIG. 1, showing a collector positioned in a galley insert air
outflow flow path; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of the
system of FIG. 1, showing a pathogen identifying testing unit for
communicating results remotely.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects
of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, a schematic view of an exemplary
embodiment of a system monitoring cabin air in accordance with the
disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by
reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance
with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIG. 2-5
as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can
be used to collect a representative sample of pathogens within a
pressurized cabin using collectors made from a collector material,
e.g. filter material, adhesive tape, or the like. Embodiments of
the present disclosure can be used in a variety of spaces, such as
inside an aircraft cabin, train cabin, or the like, and allows for
the detection of a virus or other contaminant.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, a system 100 for collecting a
biological sample from a passenger cabin includes a collector 102,
e.g. a continuous strip of collector material 102, positioned
within the passenger cabin 10 in a cabin air outflow flow path 104.
Cabin air outflow flow path 104 is generated by the pressurized air
entering into cabin at inlets 109. As cabin air moves toward a
cabin air outlet 107 it will impinge upon a surface of collector
material 102 or run parallel to the surface of collector material
102, causing particulates, droplets or the like to collect on the
collector material 102. Cabin air outlet 107 is defined between
cabin floor 115 and hull wall 101 and goes down to a cargo area 5
and/or common ECS outlet. Collector 102 runs along the length of
the cabin 10 located between the aircraft hull wall 101 and the
passenger cabin 10. With continuous strip of collector material
102, only a small amount of pieces will need to be processed in
order to extract a concentrated sample. In the embodiment of FIG.
1, system 100 also includes collectors 106, e.g. a group of
individual pieces of collector material 106, on a cabin floor 115.
The individual pieces of collector material 106 are positioned more
proximate to a hull wall 101 than a cabin aisle 117.
[0022] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-2, the embodiment of
system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also includes collectors 108,
e.g. a group of individual pieces of collector material 108, on an
interior surface of a hull wall 101 and additional collectors 110,
e.g. a group of individual pieces of collector material 110, on a
passenger seat 116 back 114. Collectors 108 and 110 are positioned
at a height H more proximate to a top 112 of seat 116 than a cabin
floor 115.
[0023] With reference now to FIGS. 4-5, a collector 120, e.g. an
individual piece of filter material 120, is positioned in a galley
insert 12 air outflow flow path 105, such that airflow flowing out
of galley insert 12 impinges on the filter material 120 and is
filtered as it goes through filter material 120. The aircraft
galley 12 includes a pathogen identifying testing unit 128, such as
a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing unit, within the aircraft
galley insert 12. The pathogen identifying testing unit 128 can
include a communication unit 130 for communicating results
remotely, as shown schematically in FIG. 5 by the arrow in broken
lines. The communication unit 130 can be configured to communicate
the results to an external location, such as a central data center,
or a destination airport, for example.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, another embodiment of a system 200
for collecting a biological sample from a passenger cabin 20.
System 200 is the same as system 100 except that instead of
collector 102 running as a continuous lengthwise strip, the
collector 202 includes a series of individual pieces of collector
material 202 spaced apart along lengthwise sides of the passenger
cabin 20 positioned within a cabin air outflow flow path 204
between a hull wall 201 and the passenger cabin 20. Cabin air
outflow flow path 204 is generated by the pressurized air entering
into cabin at inlets 209. A cabin air outlet 207 is defined between
cabin floor 215 and hull wall 201 opens down to a cargo area and/or
common environmental control system (ECS) outlet. Each individual
piece 202 of collector material is spaced apart by a given number
of rows of seats. In accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 3A,
each piece 202 is spaced apart by three rows of seats. Similar to
system 100, the pieces 202 are located near the cabin floor 215
between the aircraft hull 201 and the passenger cabin 20. The
pressurized cabin air flow flows in a similar manner to that of
system 100. Because of the spacing in system 200, more collector
material pieces 202 may need to be processed in order to extract a
concentrated sample.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3B, the outflow flow path 204 can be
defined at least in part through the in-flight entertainment (IFE)
system 236 having filter racks 238. In embodiments, the IFE can be
located in a rear portion of a passenger seat (e.g. similar to that
of collector 110) and can include a graphical user interface, such
as a screen. The filter racks 238 can be located behind the screen
to extract heat from the IFE hardware system. In certain
embodiments, the filter already included in the filter rack 238 can
be used or modified to be used as a collector material 202, and/or
in certain embodiments, a separate or additional collector material
202 can be included in the rack in place of, or in addition to the
existing filter.
[0026] Still with reference to FIG. 3B, the cabin air outflow flow
path 204 can be a cabin temperature outflow flow path defined on or
near a ceiling 240 of the cabin, for example near cabin inlets 209.
Here, the cabin outflow path can include a grill having an existing
filter medium therein, and the collector 202 can be or include an
additional or alternative collector material 202 placed within the
grill. In embodiments, the collector(s) as described can be located
in any suitable outflow path, for example, in the ceiling 240 as
shown, and additional collectors 202 can be included at the
entrance halls, near or adjacent to the lavatories, near or
adjacent the galleys, and/or any other suitable location in which
may experience heavier passenger traffic.
[0027] A method for collecting particulates from cabin air includes
capturing particulates in at least one of a passenger cabin, e.g.
cabin 10 or 20, or a cabin air outflow flow path, e.g., cabin air
outflow flow path 104 or 204, with a collector, e.g. collectors
102, 202, 106, 108, 110 or 120, for a period of time. The method
includes removing the collector from at least one of the passenger
cabin or air outflow flow path for testing. The method includes
placing a clean collector into at least one of the passenger cabin
or a cabin air outflow flow path for use during another period of
time. The method includes conducting a pathogen identifying test
such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, e.g. with pathogen
identifying testing unit 128, on at least one particulate captured
in the collector. The method includes relaying a result of the PCR
test to a central data center, e.g. central data center 133, with a
communication unit, e.g. communication unit 130. The central data
center can be at a destination airport, governmental agency, or the
like. The systems 100 and 200 are configured and adapted to collect
representative sample/s of airborne pathogens within the
pressurized cabin using collector pieces, e.g. filter material
pieces.
[0028] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as
described above and shown in the drawings, provide for systems for
monitoring aircraft air with superior properties including allowing
for the detection of a virus or other contaminant. The systems and
methods of the present invention can apply to aircraft travel, or
the like. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure
have been shown and described with reference to preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the scope of the subject disclosure.
* * * * *