US20180005515A1 - Bio-threat alert system - Google Patents
Bio-threat alert system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180005515A1 US20180005515A1 US15/703,245 US201715703245A US2018005515A1 US 20180005515 A1 US20180005515 A1 US 20180005515A1 US 201715703245 A US201715703245 A US 201715703245A US 2018005515 A1 US2018005515 A1 US 2018005515A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bio
- threat
- data
- presentation
- event
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B27/00—Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations
- G08B27/005—Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations with transmission via computer network
-
- G06F19/3493—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B31/00—Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H50/00—ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics
- G16H50/80—ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to awareness and management of bio-threats, and more particularly, to a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and method, a bio-threat alert device, and a method of alerting a user thereof.
- bio-threat alert devices, systems and methods may have been based on static, or substantially static, information. In the result, the alerts generated by these prior art devices, systems and methods may have been out-of-date, sometimes perhaps dangerously so. Additionally, some prior art bio-threat alert devices, systems and methods may only have afforded excessively slow response times, in comparison to the speed of spread of the virus and/or bio-agent. In the result, the prior art may have been lacking a device, system or method capable of providing timely and accurate alerts concerning active bio-threats.
- an alert device, system and/or method (such as that provided according some preferred embodiments of the present invention) which may preferably be integrated inside a diagnostic device.
- Exemplary diagnostic devices, systems and/or methods may be disclosed in International Patent Application Nos. PCT/CA2007/000211 and PCT/CA2007/002317.
- the alert device, system and method according to the present invention may preferably help to resolve, obviate and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems and/or shortcomings associated with the prior art.
- a diagnostic device integrating the alert device, system and method according to the present invention—to preferably be able to transfer, in real and/or near real-time, the biological information regarding a bio-agent or bio-threat.
- an alert device, system or method may incorporate and/or be associated with a substantially reactive information technology architecture. Together with a diagnostic device, such an alert device, system or method may preferably help to allow precise identification of a potential bio-threat.
- An alert device, system or method of this type may preferably find advantageous utility, especially insofar as it may provide a substantially useful or complete set of information for stopping or delaying a bio-threat.
- the alert device, system and method according to the present invention may usefully produce a mapping of the geographic origin of a disease or bio-threat and the parameters of its evolution through a region.
- a bio-threat alert infrastructure system for use with a bio-threat alert device and collected quantitative data associated with a bio-threat.
- the system includes an analyzing processor, an encoding processor, and a transmitting element.
- the analyzing processor operatively applies one or more statistical algorithms to the collected quantitative data to precisely estimate event data.
- the event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat.
- the encoding processor encodes the event data into a bio-threat alert signal.
- the transmitting element operatively transmits the alert signal for reception by the device.
- the analyzing processor applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters (and/or veterinary and/or public health parameters), (b) sociological data (and/or demographic data), (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data for at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device based on personal data associated with the device.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of one or more visually presentable (a) textual data, (b) graphical data, and/or (c) colored indicator light data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the position data of at least one said event in the form of (a) descriptive place name data, (b) numerical co-ordinate system data, and/or (c) graphical map and/or drawing data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- the system also includes a receiving element which operatively receives a result of a bio-threat test from a biological or environmental test reader element of one aforesaid device.
- the analyzing processor operatively applies the statistical algorithms to the result, along with the collected quantitative data, to precisely estimate the event data.
- the system is adapted for use with one or more of the following as the device: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and (n) a radio.
- a method of transmitting a bio-threat alert signal is for use with a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and collected quantitative data associated with a bio-threat.
- the method of transmitting the alert signal includes a statistical analysis step, an encoding step, and a transmitting step.
- statistical analysis step statistical algorithms are applied to the collected quantitative data, using an analyzing processor of the system, to precisely estimate event data.
- the event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat.
- an encoding processor of the system is used to encode the event data into a bio-threat alert signal.
- the transmitting step the system is used to transmit the bio-threat alert signal.
- the analyzing processor applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters, (b) sociological data, (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data for at least one aforesaid event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device based on personal data associated with the device.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of one or more visually presentable (a) textual data, (b) graphical data, and/or (c) colored indicator light data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the position data of at least one aforesaid event in the form of (a) descriptive place name data, (b) numerical co-ordinate system data, and/or (c) graphical map and/or drawing data.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- the method of transmitting the alert signal also includes a receiving step of using the system to receive a result of a bio-threat test.
- the analyzing processor operatively applies the statistical algorithms to the result, along with the collected quantitative data, to precisely estimate the event data.
- the alert signal is adapted for reception by one or more of the following devices, after the transmitting step: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and (n) a radio.
- a bio-threat alert device for use with a bio-threat alert signal.
- the device includes a receiving element, a decoding processor, and a presentation element.
- the receiving element operatively receives the alert signal.
- the decoding processor decodes the alert signal into event data.
- the event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat.
- the presentation element operatively presents at least a portion of the event data to a user of the device.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one aforesaid event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- the device also includes a location element operative to identify a location of the device.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
- the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
- the presentation element includes (a) a display element to visually present, and/or (b) an audio element for audible presentation of, the portion of the event data to the user.
- the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one aforesaid event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- the device also includes: (a) a biological or environmental test reader element operative to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting element to remotely transmit a result of the test.
- the receiving element, the decoding processor, and the presentation element of the device are together embodied within: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
- the receiving element is adapted to operatively receive, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
- a bio-threat alerting method of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device is for use with a bio-threat alert signal.
- the bio-threat alerting method includes a receiving step, a decoding step and a presentation step.
- the receiving step the device is used to receive the alert signal.
- a decoding processor onboard the device, is used to decode the alert signal into event data.
- the event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat.
- a presentation element onboard the device is used to present at least a portion of the event data to the user.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- the bio-threat alerting method also includes a locating step, before the presentation step, of using the device to identify a location of the device.
- the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
- the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
- the presentation element visually and/or audibly presents the portion of the event data to the user.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the position data of at least one aforesaid event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- the presentation element in the presentation step, operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- the bio-threat alerting method also includes (a) a biological or environmental test step of using the device to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting step of using the device to remotely transmit a result of said test.
- the receiving step, the decoding step, and the presentation step are together performed using: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
- the device in the receiving step, operatively receives, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one bio-threat alert infrastructure system according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another bio-threat alert infrastructure system according to the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of components of a bio-threat alert device according to the invention.
- FIG. 4 is graphic representation of one bio-threat alert presented on a display of the bio-threat alert device according to the invention.
- FIG. 5 is graphic representation of another bio-threat alert presented on a display of the bio-threat alert device according to the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of transmitting a bio-threat alert signal according to the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device according to the invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 depict preferred embodiments of a bio-threat alert infrastructure system 400 according to the present invention.
- the system 400 is shown in use with communications networks 300 .
- the communications networks 300 may include satellite networks 302 (e.g., GPS networks), a terrestrial wireless network 304 (as shown in FIG. 1 ), and the Internet 306 .
- various databases may interface with the networks 300 , preferably including, without limitation, epidemiologic databases 330 A, UN and major/international healthcare institution databases 330 B, healthcare and emergency infrastructure databases 330 C, education and economic databases 330 D, news databases 330 E, demographic databases 330 F, communication and military infrastructure databases 330 G, and weather and topographic databases 330 H.
- the system 400 is also shown in use with various bio-threat alert devices, preferably including, without limitation, an integrated cell phone and reusable test device 100 A, an integrated cell phone and consumable test device 100 B, and dedicated test devices 100 C, 100 D.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 also show the system 400 in use with a number of further bio-threat alert devices 200 , including, a desktop computer 200 A, a cellular telephone 200 B, a laptop computer 200 C, a mobile communications device 200 D (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant 200 E, the dedicated test device 100 C, and an Internet terminal 200 G.
- Reference numeral 100 is used to refer to the bio-threat alert devices, collectively.
- bio-threat alert devices 100 may preferably also include navigation devices, digital audio players, cameras, gaming devices, televisions, and radios, among others.
- the bio-threat alert devices 100 may preferably be in wireless (and/or wired) communication with one or more of the networks 300 .
- the system 400 is shown to include an interface search application 432 and other software applications 430 .
- the interface search application 432 (alternately, the “interface search engine”) is in direct communication with the networks 300 and, indirectly, with the bio-threat alert devices 100 and the aforementioned databases 330 A, 330 B, 330 C, 330 D, 330 E, 330 F, 330 G, 330 H.
- the interface search application 432 is, in this sense, both a receiving and a transmitting element.
- the interface search application 432 is preferably able to search or “drill-down”—i.e., perform an analytical operation which accesses and/or evaluates detailed data that has been aggregated and/or interrelated—for information inside the aforementioned databases 330 A, 330 B, 330 C, 330 D, 330 E, 330 F, 330 G and 330 H via the networks 300 .
- the interface search engine 432 preferably dispatches the targeted data into four or more adaptive databases—including a clinical and healthcare database 440 A, a sociological database 440 B, an infrastructure database 440 C, and a geophysics database 440 D.
- the collected data is preferably processed, and/or quantified if necessary, in order to enable and/or facilitate its use by the other software applications 430 .
- the clinical and healthcare database 440 A may preferably contain, among other things, diagnostic and medical data (clinical information), such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) test results from diagnostic devices equipped with remote data transfer systems and/or global positioning or localization features; (b) information from UN databases and major healthcare international institutions; and/or (c) scenarios and knowledge data. (The aforesaid scenarios and knowledge data may alternately, or additionally, be provided in a separate scenarios and knowledge database 440 E—as discussed below.)
- the sociological database 440 B may preferably contain, among other things, sociological data (human information), such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) population information from local and/or international demographic databases; (b) political and/or organization systems in the area and/or from international databases; (c) education and/or economic systems in the area and/or from international databases; and/or (d) information from news and/or newspapers, drawn from the Internet 306 or elsewhere.
- sociological data human information
- the infrastructure database 440 C may preferably contain, among other things, infrastructure data or information, such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) information concerning healthcare infrastructure; (b) information concerning communication infrastructures; and/or (c) information concerning emergency and/or military infrastructure; all preferably drawn from local and/or international databases.
- infrastructure data or information such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) information concerning healthcare infrastructure; (b) information concerning communication infrastructures; and/or (c) information concerning emergency and/or military infrastructure; all preferably drawn from local and/or international databases.
- the geophysics database 440 D may preferably contain, among other things, geophysics data or information, such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) weather and/or climatic information from local databases; and/or (b) topographic information from local and/or international databases.
- the software applications 430 include a data search application 436 , graphical user interface applications 438 , and an analysis application 440 .
- the system 400 of FIG. 1 may preferably include one or more processors (not shown) to execute the analysis application 440 . Such processors may preferably be similar to an analyzing processor 422 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , which is discussed in greater detail below.
- the bio-threat alert engine 430 is in communication with the clinical and healthcare database 440 A, the sociological database 440 B, the infrastructure database 440 C, and the geophysics database 440 D.
- the data search application 436 (alternately, the “data search engine”) is preferably in charge of searching and/or preparing the data for the analysis application 440 .
- the analysis application 440 (alternately, the “analysis algorithm”) is preferably used to analyze and/or identify a bio-threat and/or disease, with the aid of one or more statistical algorithms which are applied to the collected quantitative data in the adaptive databases 440 A, 440 B, 440 C, 440 D (and, in some embodiments, to any collected quantitative data in the scenarios and knowledge database 440 E, which is discussed in further detail below).
- the graphical user interface applications 438 (alternately, the “GUI algorithm”) is preferably used to build a report and/or mapping.
- the report and/or mapping may preferably be sent and/or presented to healthcare authorities, to emergency staff, and/or to the government.
- the data and/or information used according to the present invention may preferably be updated daily, weekly and/or monthly depending on the type of data and/or the level of importance inherent in, and/or assigned to, each type of data.
- Some of the data may preferably be downloaded from the Internet 306 , by satellite networks 302 or a wireless network 304 .
- the bio-threat alert engine 430 also preferably may be in communication with an external stand-alone embodiment of the scenarios and knowledge database 440 E.
- the scenarios and knowledge database 440 E is preferably used as a repository for at least part, and preferably all, of the information and/or modelization which may be useful in the identification of bio-threats.
- the bio-threat alert engine 430 of the system 400 may preferably precisely estimate event data associated with an “event” in the development of a bio-threat.
- the potential events which may be the subject of the event data are not intended to be unduly limited, but may include one or more of the following events, among others: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a static or changing rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area; and/or (f) an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, or a resistance of the bio-threat to the treatments.
- events may be measured against a local, regional national, international and/or worldwide scale. Also included are events which may be substantially local and/or regional to the device, and/or otherwise personalized to the device and/or its user. Still further, the events may be past events, current events, and/or possible future events.
- the event data may preferably include, among other things, time data and/or position data associated with the aforesaid event.
- the event data is precisely estimated by the system 400 , preferably for presentation by the bio-threat alert devices 100 , in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data.
- Audibly presentable data may take the form of a verbal, musical, tonal and/or other alert sounds. As women, children and men may be thought to have differing sensitivities from each other to some types of sounds, it may be preferable (according to some embodiments of the invention) to adapt the audibly presentable data to be only audible to one or more intended segments of listeners.
- Visually presentable data may take the form of text, graphics and/or colored indicator lights.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 which are discussed in detail below, illustrate some of the different forms of visually presentable data which are contemplated according to the present invention.
- graphical data include maps, drawings, and/or photographs.
- Map and/or drawing data 590 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- visually and/or audibly presentable data may include descriptive and/or numerical data.
- Exemplary types of descriptive data may include place names, and/or biomarker, bio-threat strain, treatment and/or intensity information. Intensity, strain and treatment data—reference numerals 530 , 540 and 550 respectively—is shown in FIG. 4 .
- Exemplary types of numerical data may include numerical co-ordinate system data 570 (e.g., latitude and longitude), as shown in FIG. 5 , or data according to other numerical conventions (e.g., conventional measurements of time).
- the precision of the estimate performed by the system 400 will, naturally, be affected by the degree of precision present in the underlying collected quantitative data. Nonetheless, the estimated event data is precise at least insofar as the estimate may preferably be substantially reproducible.
- the system 400 of FIG. 1 may preferably include one or more further processors (not shown) to encode the event data into a bio-threat alert signal 500 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- Such processors may preferably be similar to an encoding processor 424 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , which is discussed in greater detail below.
- the embodiment of the system 400 which is shown in FIG. 1 may also include a transmitting element (not shown).
- a transmitting element may preferably take a form similar to a network infrastructure connection 402 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , which is discussed below.
- any transmitting element of the system 400 may be in wired or wireless communication, as appropriate, with any one of the networks 300 .
- the system 400 after the system 400 generates the bio-threat alert signal 500 , it is transmitted from the system 400 to alerted ones of the aforesaid devices 200 .
- one of the alerted ones of the aforesaid devices 200 may supply geographic location and/or personal data with the system 400 via the networks 300 .
- the two instances of the dedicated test device 100 C are, therefore, shown joined by a line of communication (since they may very well be one and the same device).
- the transmission of the alert signal 500 to the alerted ones of the aforesaid devices 200 may preferably be made via one or more of the networks 300 .
- the system 400 is preferably, behind a firewall 410 , in communication with the Internet 306 by the aforesaid network infrastructure connection 402 .
- FIG. 2 again shows the system 400 in use with communications networks 300 , preferably including satellite networks 302 (e.g., GPS networks) and the Internet 306 , among others.
- the devices 100 A, 100 B, 100 C and 100 D are shown at geographic locations 30 , 40 , 50 and 20 , respectively.
- the desktop computer 200 A and the Internet terminal 200 G are shown in wired connection with the Internet 306 .
- the cellular telephone 200 B, the laptop computer 200 C, the mobile communications device 200 D, the personal digital assistant 200 E, and the dedicated test device 100 C are shown in wireless communication with the networks 300 .
- a user 90 may operate one or more of the devices 200 A, 200 B, 200 C, 200 D, 200 E, 100 C, 200 G.
- the system 400 is shown to include an alert data broker 420 , as the front-end for the aforesaid analyzing processor 422 and the aforesaid encoding processor 424 .
- the data broker 420 may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: service and support for treatments; education (e.g., CME); advertisements (e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors); medication information on-board; information concerning the geographic location of the devices 100 ; subscription community management; statistics on spatial and temporal identification (ID) data; information concerning origin and rate of expansion in case of a pandemic onset; information concerning the efficacy of a particular biomarker which may be used; a collection of observations and/or opinions from doctors; alert reports for cellular phones; and/or an online portal for IDs.
- service and support for treatments e.g., CME
- advertisements e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors
- medication information on-board information concerning the geographic location of the devices 100 ;
- the processors 422 , 424 work in conjunction with the software applications 430 .
- the software applications 430 shown in FIG. 2 include the analysis application 440 , services applications 442 , data management applications 444 , and diagnostic panel applications 446 .
- the software applications 430 are shown in communication with the following adaptive databases 440 : a clinical tests database 440 F, an identification (ID) panels database 440 G, a quality control database 440 H, a service database 440 J, and a surveillance database 440 K.
- the service database 440 J may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: service and support for test administration; service and support for treatments; education (e.g., CME); advertisements (e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors); medication information on-board; information concerning the geographic location of the devices 100 ; information concerning the number of tests administered per device 100 ; subscription community management; usage monitoring; inventory tracking; information concerning the quality control database 440 H; and/or an ability to track errors by the user 90 .
- education e.g., CME
- advertisements e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors
- medication information on-board information concerning the geographic location of the devices 100 ; information concerning the number of tests administered per device 100 ; subscription community management; usage monitoring; inventory tracking; information concerning the quality control database 440 H; and/or an ability to track errors by the user 90 .
- the surveillance database 440 K may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: statistics on spatial and temporal identification (ID) data; information concerning origin and rate of expansion in case of a pandemic onset; information concerning the efficacy of a particular biomarker which may be used; information concerning representative levels of particular biomarkers per region; a collection of observations and/or opinions from doctors; peer ratings on the information collected; profile information concerning buyers and/or vendors to create profiled content and/or to increase transactions; alert reports for cellular phones; and/or an online portal for IDs.
- ID spatial and temporal identification
- some of the bio-threat alert devices 100 may include the aforesaid test device element 130 working in conjunction with a main processor 110 .
- the invention may be practiced with one of the aforesaid devices 100 in a wireless operating environment.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative one of the bio-threat alert devices 100 .
- the bio-threat alert device 100 may include a number of components, including the aforementioned main processor 110 which may preferably control the overall operation of the device 100 .
- Communication functions, including data and voice communications, may be performed through a communication subsystem 112 .
- the communication subsystem 112 preferably acts as both a receiving element and a transmitting element.
- the communication subsystem 112 may receive messages from and send messages to a wireless network 300 .
- the device 100 may send and receive communication signals over the networks 300 .
- Some of the subsystems of the bio-threat alert device 100 may perform communication-related functions, and some may provide “resident” or on-device functions.
- a display 122 may be used for both functions.
- the main processor 110 may also interact with additional subsystems, such as a random access memory (RAM) 114 , a flash memory 116 , a presentation element 120 (preferably including, for example, the display 122 , colored indicator lights 124 , and a speaker 126 ), short-range communications 128 , a GPS subsystem 118 , and the test device element 130 . Still referring to FIG. 3 , operating system software used by the main processor 110 is typically stored in a persistent store such as the flash memory 116 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the RAM 114 , for processing by main processor 110 .
- RAM random access memory
- flash memory 116
- presentation element 120 preferably including, for example, the display 122 , colored indicator lights 124 , and a speaker 126
- short-range communications 128 preferably including, for example, the display 122 , colored indicator lights 124 , and a speaker 126
- the GPS subsystem 118 may be operatively connected to the main processor 110 to pass acquired latitude and longitude coordinates to one or more software applications 134 , and to store the latitude and longitude coordinates as may be required into flash memory 116 or RAM 114 .
- the main processor 110 in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of various software applications 134 on the device 100 .
- the software applications 134 may include a GPS map application 138 for providing geographic navigation, and location coordinates for geo-tagging objects.
- the GPS map application 138 may be configured to operatively connect to the GPS subsystem 118 to receive GPS latitude and longitude coordinates for a current position of the device 100 .
- the GPS map application 138 may also store scalable maps of various geographic regions in order to show the current position of the device 100 on the map. As well, the GPS map application 138 may be configured to obtain latitude and longitude location coordinates by allowing a user to select a position on the GPS map.
- the test device element 130 may be provided with control logic 132 . As aforesaid, the test device element 130 may be operatively connected to the main processor 110 . As such, the test device element 130 may pass acquired test data to one or more software applications 134 , to the communication subsystem 112 , and to store the test data as may be required into flash memory 116 or RAM 114 . The test device element 130 may be directly initiated by the user 90 .
- bio-threat alert application 136 may be directly and/or indirectly initiated by the user 90 —in addition to by the bio-threat alert signal 500 received from the bio-threat alert infrastructure system 400 —by controlling a dedicated alert button or a context dependent programmable button or key that may double as a bio-threat alert button.
- the main processor 110 launches the bio-threat alert application 136 .
- the bio-threat alert application 136 and the main processor 110 decode the signal 500 into the event data.
- the event data is then presented to the user 90 using the display 122 , the colored indicator lights 124 , and/or the speaker 126 of the presentation element 120 , as appropriate.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 graphically depict decoded bio-threat alert signals 500 which may preferably be presented on the displays 122 of the alert devices 100 according to the present invention.
- time data 510 is shown in a textual format
- regional position data 520 A is shown graphically in the form of map and/or drawing data 590 .
- Intensity data 530 is shown both in textual and graphical formats.
- FIG. 4 also includes strain mutation data 540 and treatment efficacy data 550 in textual format.
- FIG. 5 shows time and position data, 510 and 520 respectively, in a textual format, and graphically displays national position data 520 B.
- the time data 510 includes past, present and future time data, 510 A, 510 B and 510 C respectively.
- Point of origin data 560 is shown in textual and graphical formats, the latter as map and/or drawing data 590 .
- FIG. 5 shows numerical co-ordinate system data 570 and textual/descriptive place name data 580 .
- FIG. 5 includes an estimate of the number of days remaining before a particular bio-threat reaches the current location 520 of the device 100 . It will be appreciated, therefore, that it is necessary for the device 100 to provide its geographic location 20 , 30 , 40 or 50 to the system 400 .
- one of the alerted ones of the devices 200 namely, the dedicated test device 100 C—may supply its geographic location and/or personal data with the system 400 via the networks 300 .
- the bio-threat alert signal 500 may be customized to the device 100 on the basis of its location, the signal 500 may be customized on the basis of personal data associated with the user 90 and/or the device 100 . That is, for example, the signal 500 may be customized on the basis of the health or bio-threat predisposition of the user 90 .
- FIG. 6 shows, schematically by way of overview, an associated method 600 of transmitting the bio-threat alert signal 500 .
- the method includes the following steps, among others: a data collection step 602 , a test step 604 , a location query 606 , a device locating step 608 , a statistical analysis step 610 , an encoding step 618 , and a transmitting step 620 .
- the “receiving step” the method 600 uses the system 400 to receive (among other things) a result of a bio-threat test conducting during or after the test step 604 .
- the system 400 For the transmission of some types of event data, the system 400 requires the geographic location 20 , 30 40 , 50 of the device 100 . In such event, the method 600 answers the location query 606 in the affirmative. In the device locating step 608 , the method 600 then obtains the location 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 for the device 100 .
- the statistical analysis step includes a reference substep 612 , an apply algorithms substep 614 , and a generate event data substep 616 .
- the analyzing processor 422 applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters, (b) sociological data, (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information.
- the apply algorithms substep 614 of the statistical analysis step 610 the statistical algorithms are applied to the collected quantitative data, using the analyzing processor 422 of the system 400 . After applying the algorithms, the system 400 then precisely estimates the event data in the generate event data substep 616 of the statistical analysis step 610 .
- the encoding processor 424 of the system 400 is used to encode the event data into the bio-threat alert signal 500 .
- the system 400 is used to transmit the bio-threat alert signal 500 .
- FIG. 7 shows, schematically by way of overview, an associated bio-threat alerting method 700 .
- the method includes the following steps, among others: a test query 702 , a test step 704 , a transmitting step 706 , an await alert step 708 , a receiving step 710 , a decoding step 712 , a location query 714 , a device locating step 716 , and a presentation step 718 .
- the method 700 answers the test query 702 in the affirmative.
- the test reader element 130 of the device 100 is used to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample.
- the transmitting step 706 the communication subsystem 112 of the device 100 is used to remotely transmit a result of the test.
- the method 700 awaits reception of the bio-threat alert signal 500 .
- the communication subsystem 112 of the device 100 is used to receive the alert signal 500 .
- the device 100 receive the alert signal 500 , via the networks 300 , from the system 400 and/or from another one or more of the devices 100 (i.e., from peer devices), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- a decoding processor (preferably, a dedicated or tasked activity of the main processor 110 onboard the device 100 ) is used to decode the alert signal 500 into the event data.
- the device 100 needs to provide its geographic location 20 , 30 40 or 50 .
- the method 700 answers the location query 714 in the affirmative.
- the device 100 is used to identify its own location 20 , 30 , 40 or 50 .
- the presentation element 120 onboard the device 100 is preferably used to present the event data to the user 90 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Computing Systems (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Primary Health Care (AREA)
- Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
- Mathematical Analysis (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Pure & Applied Mathematics (AREA)
- Mathematical Optimization (AREA)
- Computational Mathematics (AREA)
- Evolutionary Biology (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (AREA)
- Operations Research (AREA)
- Probability & Statistics with Applications (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- Algebra (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- Alarm Systems (AREA)
Abstract
In a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and method, an analyzing processor applies statistical algorithms to the collected quantitative data to precisely estimate event data, including time and position data, associated the development of a bio-threat. An encoding processor encodes the event data into a bio-threat alert signal. A transmitting element transmits the signal for reception by a bio-threat alert device. In the bio-threat alert device, and an associated method, a receiving element receives the signal. A decoding processor decodes the signal into the event data. A presentation element presents the event data to a user of the device.
Description
- This is a U.S. Divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional Ser. No. 13/000,953 filed of Mar. 6, 2012, which is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/CA2009/000882 filed Jun. 25, 2009, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/075,350 filed Jun. 25, 2008, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/093,036 filed Aug. 29, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/144,283 filed Jan. 13, 2009. The entireties of all the above-listed applications are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to awareness and management of bio-threats, and more particularly, to a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and method, a bio-threat alert device, and a method of alerting a user thereof.
- Existing bio-threat alert devices, systems and methods may have been based on static, or substantially static, information. In the result, the alerts generated by these prior art devices, systems and methods may have been out-of-date, sometimes perhaps dangerously so. Additionally, some prior art bio-threat alert devices, systems and methods may only have afforded excessively slow response times, in comparison to the speed of spread of the virus and/or bio-agent. In the result, the prior art may have been lacking a device, system or method capable of providing timely and accurate alerts concerning active bio-threats.
- What may also have been missing from prior art alert devices, systems and methods may have been an ability to provide for the early stage bio-detection of diseases.
- Though not essential to the working of the present invention, what may be needed is an alert device, system and/or method (such as that provided according some preferred embodiments of the present invention) which may preferably be integrated inside a diagnostic device. Exemplary diagnostic devices, systems and/or methods may be disclosed in International Patent Application Nos. PCT/CA2007/000211 and PCT/CA2007/002317. Alternately, it may be desirable to integrate an alert device, system and/or method inside a diagnostic device equipped with (a) a data transfer system and/or (b) global positioning and/or localization features. Preferably, in this manner, the alert device, system and method according to the present invention may preferably help to resolve, obviate and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems and/or shortcomings associated with the prior art.
- It may also be advantageous for a diagnostic device—integrating the alert device, system and method according to the present invention—to preferably be able to transfer, in real and/or near real-time, the biological information regarding a bio-agent or bio-threat.
- There may be some benefit for such an alert device, system or method to incorporate and/or be associated with a substantially reactive information technology architecture. Together with a diagnostic device, such an alert device, system or method may preferably help to allow precise identification of a potential bio-threat. An alert device, system or method of this type may preferably find advantageous utility, especially insofar as it may provide a substantially useful or complete set of information for stopping or delaying a bio-threat.
- Ideally, the alert device, system and method according to the present invention may usefully produce a mapping of the geographic origin of a disease or bio-threat and the parameters of its evolution through a region.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method which may preferably identify, or help to identify, a geographic origin of a disease and/or bio-threat.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method which may preferably identify, or help identify, a geographic origin of a disease and/or bio-threat—preferably based on clinical parameters, sociological data, infrastructure data, and/or geophysics information.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method which preferably may produce, or help to produce, a mapping of the geographic origin of a disease and/or parameters of its progress and/or evolution through a region.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method which preferably use a combination of data to produce, or help to produce, a mapping of the geographic origin of a disease and/or parameters of its progress and/or evolution through a region.
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide an alert system and/or method which may preferably use one or more statistical algorithms and/or probability theory, preferably to identify, or help to identify, the propagation speed, the intensity and/or the most infected area in a very short time, and preferably in real-time (or near real-time).
- It is an object of one preferred embodiment according to the invention to provide a system and/or method for use in biological and/or medical applications.
- It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned mentioned disadvantages associated with the prior art, and/or to achieve one or more of the aforementioned objects of the invention.
- According to the invention, there is disclosed a bio-threat alert infrastructure system. The system is for use with a bio-threat alert device and collected quantitative data associated with a bio-threat. The system includes an analyzing processor, an encoding processor, and a transmitting element. The analyzing processor operatively applies one or more statistical algorithms to the collected quantitative data to precisely estimate event data. The event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat. The encoding processor encodes the event data into a bio-threat alert signal. The transmitting element operatively transmits the alert signal for reception by the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters (and/or veterinary and/or public health parameters), (b) sociological data (and/or demographic data), (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data for at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device based on personal data associated with the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of one or more visually presentable (a) textual data, (b) graphical data, and/or (c) colored indicator light data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the position data of at least one said event in the form of (a) descriptive place name data, (b) numerical co-ordinate system data, and/or (c) graphical map and/or drawing data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the system also includes a receiving element which operatively receives a result of a bio-threat test from a biological or environmental test reader element of one aforesaid device. The analyzing processor operatively applies the statistical algorithms to the result, along with the collected quantitative data, to precisely estimate the event data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the system is adapted for use with one or more of the following as the device: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and (n) a radio.
- According to the invention, there is also disclosed a method of transmitting a bio-threat alert signal. The method of transmitting the alert signal is for use with a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and collected quantitative data associated with a bio-threat. The method of transmitting the alert signal includes a statistical analysis step, an encoding step, and a transmitting step. In the statistical analysis step, statistical algorithms are applied to the collected quantitative data, using an analyzing processor of the system, to precisely estimate event data. The event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat. In the encoding step, an encoding processor of the system is used to encode the event data into a bio-threat alert signal. In the transmitting step, the system is used to transmit the bio-threat alert signal.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters, (b) sociological data, (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data for at least one aforesaid event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device based on personal data associated with the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of one or more visually presentable (a) textual data, (b) graphical data, and/or (c) colored indicator light data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the event data in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the position data of at least one aforesaid event in the form of (a) descriptive place name data, (b) numerical co-ordinate system data, and/or (c) graphical map and/or drawing data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor precisely estimates the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of transmitting the alert signal also includes a receiving step of using the system to receive a result of a bio-threat test. In the statistical analysis step, the analyzing processor operatively applies the statistical algorithms to the result, along with the collected quantitative data, to precisely estimate the event data.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the encoding step, the alert signal is adapted for reception by one or more of the following devices, after the transmitting step: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and (n) a radio.
- According to the invention, there is also disclosed a bio-threat alert device. The device is for use with a bio-threat alert signal. The device includes a receiving element, a decoding processor, and a presentation element. The receiving element operatively receives the alert signal. The decoding processor decodes the alert signal into event data. The event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat. The presentation element operatively presents at least a portion of the event data to a user of the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one aforesaid event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the device also includes a location element operative to identify a location of the device. The presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one aforesaid event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element includes (a) a display element to visually present, and/or (b) an audio element for audible presentation of, the portion of the event data to the user.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one aforesaid event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the device also includes: (a) a biological or environmental test reader element operative to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting element to remotely transmit a result of the test.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving element, the decoding processor, and the presentation element of the device are together embodied within: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving element is adapted to operatively receive, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
- According to the invention, there is also disclosed a bio-threat alerting method of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device. The bio-threat alerting method is for use with a bio-threat alert signal. The bio-threat alerting method includes a receiving step, a decoding step and a presentation step. In the receiving step, the device is used to receive the alert signal. In the decoding step, a decoding processor, onboard the device, is used to decode the alert signal into event data. The event data includes time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat. In the presentation step, a presentation element onboard the device is used to present at least a portion of the event data to the user.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the bio-threat alerting method also includes a locating step, before the presentation step, of using the device to identify a location of the device. In the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element visually and/or audibly presents the portion of the event data to the user.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one aforesaid event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one aforesaid event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the bio-threat alerting method also includes (a) a biological or environmental test step of using the device to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting step of using the device to remotely transmit a result of said test.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving step, the decoding step, and the presentation step are together performed using: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
- According to an aspect of one preferred embodiment of the invention, in the receiving step, the device operatively receives, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
- Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the method, system and device, and the combination of steps, parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which are briefly described hereinbelow.
- The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the system, device and methods according to the present invention, as to their structure, organization, use, and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one bio-threat alert infrastructure system according to the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another bio-threat alert infrastructure system according to the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of components of a bio-threat alert device according to the invention; -
FIG. 4 is graphic representation of one bio-threat alert presented on a display of the bio-threat alert device according to the invention; -
FIG. 5 is graphic representation of another bio-threat alert presented on a display of the bio-threat alert device according to the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of transmitting a bio-threat alert signal according to the invention; and -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device according to the invention. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict preferred embodiments of a bio-threatalert infrastructure system 400 according to the present invention. InFIGS. 1 and 2 , thesystem 400 is shown in use withcommunications networks 300. Thecommunications networks 300 may include satellite networks 302 (e.g., GPS networks), a terrestrial wireless network 304 (as shown inFIG. 1 ), and theInternet 306. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , various databases may interface with thenetworks 300, preferably including, without limitation,epidemiologic databases 330A, UN and major/internationalhealthcare institution databases 330B, healthcare andemergency infrastructure databases 330C, education andeconomic databases 330D,news databases 330E,demographic databases 330F, communication andmilitary infrastructure databases 330G, and weather andtopographic databases 330H. - In
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thesystem 400 is also shown in use with various bio-threat alert devices, preferably including, without limitation, an integrated cell phone andreusable test device 100A, an integrated cell phone andconsumable test device 100B, anddedicated test devices FIGS. 1 and 2 also show thesystem 400 in use with a number of further bio-threatalert devices 200, including, adesktop computer 200A, acellular telephone 200B, alaptop computer 200C, amobile communications device 200D (e.g., a smart phone), a personaldigital assistant 200E, thededicated test device 100C, and anInternet terminal 200G.Reference numeral 100 is used to refer to the bio-threat alert devices, collectively. As well,reference numeral 200 is used to refer to alerted ones of the devices. The possible bio-threatalert devices 100 may preferably also include navigation devices, digital audio players, cameras, gaming devices, televisions, and radios, among others. Thebio-threat alert devices 100 may preferably be in wireless (and/or wired) communication with one or more of thenetworks 300. - In
FIG. 1 , thesystem 400 is shown to include aninterface search application 432 andother software applications 430. The interface search application 432 (alternately, the “interface search engine”) is in direct communication with thenetworks 300 and, indirectly, with thebio-threat alert devices 100 and theaforementioned databases interface search application 432 is, in this sense, both a receiving and a transmitting element. (Among other things, it may receive a result of a bio-threat test from atest reader element 130—alternately, the “test device element”—of thebio-threat alert device 100, as described below.) Theinterface search application 432 is preferably able to search or “drill-down”—i.e., perform an analytical operation which accesses and/or evaluates detailed data that has been aggregated and/or interrelated—for information inside theaforementioned databases networks 300. - When targeted information is retrieved, according to the invention, the
interface search engine 432 preferably dispatches the targeted data into four or more adaptive databases—including a clinical andhealthcare database 440A, asociological database 440B, aninfrastructure database 440C, and ageophysics database 440D. The collected data is preferably processed, and/or quantified if necessary, in order to enable and/or facilitate its use by theother software applications 430. - The clinical and
healthcare database 440A may preferably contain, among other things, diagnostic and medical data (clinical information), such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) test results from diagnostic devices equipped with remote data transfer systems and/or global positioning or localization features; (b) information from UN databases and major healthcare international institutions; and/or (c) scenarios and knowledge data. (The aforesaid scenarios and knowledge data may alternately, or additionally, be provided in a separate scenarios andknowledge database 440E—as discussed below.) - The
sociological database 440B may preferably contain, among other things, sociological data (human information), such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) population information from local and/or international demographic databases; (b) political and/or organization systems in the area and/or from international databases; (c) education and/or economic systems in the area and/or from international databases; and/or (d) information from news and/or newspapers, drawn from theInternet 306 or elsewhere. - The
infrastructure database 440C may preferably contain, among other things, infrastructure data or information, such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) information concerning healthcare infrastructure; (b) information concerning communication infrastructures; and/or (c) information concerning emergency and/or military infrastructure; all preferably drawn from local and/or international databases. - The
geophysics database 440D may preferably contain, among other things, geophysics data or information, such as, for example, one or more of the following forms of collected quantitative data: (a) weather and/or climatic information from local databases; and/or (b) topographic information from local and/or international databases. - The software applications 430 (alternately, the “core engine” or the “bio-threat alert engine”) include a
data search application 436, graphicaluser interface applications 438, and ananalysis application 440. Thesystem 400 ofFIG. 1 may preferably include one or more processors (not shown) to execute theanalysis application 440. Such processors may preferably be similar to an analyzingprocessor 422 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2 , which is discussed in greater detail below. Thebio-threat alert engine 430 is in communication with the clinical andhealthcare database 440A, thesociological database 440B, theinfrastructure database 440C, and thegeophysics database 440D. - The data search application 436 (alternately, the “data search engine”) is preferably in charge of searching and/or preparing the data for the
analysis application 440. - The analysis application 440 (alternately, the “analysis algorithm”) is preferably used to analyze and/or identify a bio-threat and/or disease, with the aid of one or more statistical algorithms which are applied to the collected quantitative data in the
adaptive databases knowledge database 440E, which is discussed in further detail below). - The graphical user interface applications 438 (alternately, the “GUI algorithm”) is preferably used to build a report and/or mapping. The report and/or mapping may preferably be sent and/or presented to healthcare authorities, to emergency staff, and/or to the government.
- The data and/or information used according to the present invention may preferably be updated daily, weekly and/or monthly depending on the type of data and/or the level of importance inherent in, and/or assigned to, each type of data. Some of the data may preferably be downloaded from the
Internet 306, bysatellite networks 302 or awireless network 304. - As mentioned above, the
bio-threat alert engine 430 also preferably may be in communication with an external stand-alone embodiment of the scenarios andknowledge database 440E. The scenarios andknowledge database 440E is preferably used as a repository for at least part, and preferably all, of the information and/or modelization which may be useful in the identification of bio-threats. - With reference to the
aforementioned databases bio-threat alert engine 430 of thesystem 400 may preferably precisely estimate event data associated with an “event” in the development of a bio-threat. The potential events which may be the subject of the event data are not intended to be unduly limited, but may include one or more of the following events, among others: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a static or changing rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area; and/or (f) an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, or a resistance of the bio-threat to the treatments. These and other events may be measured against a local, regional national, international and/or worldwide scale. Also included are events which may be substantially local and/or regional to the device, and/or otherwise personalized to the device and/or its user. Still further, the events may be past events, current events, and/or possible future events. The event data may preferably include, among other things, time data and/or position data associated with the aforesaid event. - The event data is precisely estimated by the
system 400, preferably for presentation by thebio-threat alert devices 100, in the form of visually and/or audibly presentable data. Audibly presentable data may take the form of a verbal, musical, tonal and/or other alert sounds. As women, children and men may be thought to have differing sensitivities from each other to some types of sounds, it may be preferable (according to some embodiments of the invention) to adapt the audibly presentable data to be only audible to one or more intended segments of listeners. - Visually presentable data may take the form of text, graphics and/or colored indicator lights.
FIGS. 4 and 5 , which are discussed in detail below, illustrate some of the different forms of visually presentable data which are contemplated according to the present invention. Among other things, graphical data include maps, drawings, and/or photographs. Map and/or drawingdata 590 is illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 . By way of example, and among other things, visually and/or audibly presentable data may include descriptive and/or numerical data. Exemplary types of descriptive data may include place names, and/or biomarker, bio-threat strain, treatment and/or intensity information. Intensity, strain and treatment data—reference numerals FIG. 4 . Exemplary types of numerical data may include numerical co-ordinate system data 570 (e.g., latitude and longitude), as shown inFIG. 5 , or data according to other numerical conventions (e.g., conventional measurements of time). - The precision of the estimate performed by the
system 400 will, naturally, be affected by the degree of precision present in the underlying collected quantitative data. Nonetheless, the estimated event data is precise at least insofar as the estimate may preferably be substantially reproducible. - The
system 400 ofFIG. 1 may preferably include one or more further processors (not shown) to encode the event data into a bio-threatalert signal 500, as shown inFIG. 1 . Such processors may preferably be similar to anencoding processor 424 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2 , which is discussed in greater detail below. - Preferably, the embodiment of the
system 400 which is shown inFIG. 1 may also include a transmitting element (not shown). Such a transmitting element may preferably take a form similar to anetwork infrastructure connection 402 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2 , which is discussed below. Alternately, any transmitting element of thesystem 400, as shown inFIG. 1 , may be in wired or wireless communication, as appropriate, with any one of thenetworks 300. In any case, after thesystem 400 generates thebio-threat alert signal 500, it is transmitted from thesystem 400 to alerted ones of theaforesaid devices 200. It is noted that one of the alerted ones of theaforesaid devices 200—namely, thededicated test device 100C—may supply geographic location and/or personal data with thesystem 400 via thenetworks 300. InFIG. 1 , the two instances of thededicated test device 100C are, therefore, shown joined by a line of communication (since they may very well be one and the same device). It is perhaps worthwhile to also mention that, inFIG. 1 , the transmission of thealert signal 500 to the alerted ones of theaforesaid devices 200 may preferably be made via one or more of thenetworks 300. - With reference to the embodiment of the
system 400 which is shown inFIG. 1 , thedevice 100 and associatedmethods system 400 which is shown inFIG. 2 , they may be used, and/or adapted for use, in association therewith. - Now, with specific reference to
FIG. 2 , there is shown another preferred embodiment of thesystem 400. Thesystem 400 is preferably, behind afirewall 410, in communication with theInternet 306 by the aforesaidnetwork infrastructure connection 402. -
FIG. 2 again shows thesystem 400 in use withcommunications networks 300, preferably including satellite networks 302 (e.g., GPS networks) and theInternet 306, among others. Thedevices geographic locations desktop computer 200A and theInternet terminal 200G are shown in wired connection with theInternet 306. InFIG. 2 , thecellular telephone 200B, thelaptop computer 200C, themobile communications device 200D, the personaldigital assistant 200E, and thededicated test device 100C are shown in wireless communication with thenetworks 300. Auser 90 may operate one or more of thedevices - In
FIG. 2 , thesystem 400 is shown to include analert data broker 420, as the front-end for theaforesaid analyzing processor 422 and theaforesaid encoding processor 424. Thedata broker 420 may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: service and support for treatments; education (e.g., CME); advertisements (e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors); medication information on-board; information concerning the geographic location of thedevices 100; subscription community management; statistics on spatial and temporal identification (ID) data; information concerning origin and rate of expansion in case of a pandemic onset; information concerning the efficacy of a particular biomarker which may be used; a collection of observations and/or opinions from doctors; alert reports for cellular phones; and/or an online portal for IDs. - The
processors software applications 430. Thesoftware applications 430 shown inFIG. 2 include theanalysis application 440,services applications 442,data management applications 444, anddiagnostic panel applications 446. InFIG. 2 , thesoftware applications 430 are shown in communication with the following adaptive databases 440: aclinical tests database 440F, an identification (ID)panels database 440G, aquality control database 440H, aservice database 440J, and asurveillance database 440K. - The
service database 440J may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: service and support for test administration; service and support for treatments; education (e.g., CME); advertisements (e.g., advertising new drugs to doctors); medication information on-board; information concerning the geographic location of thedevices 100; information concerning the number of tests administered perdevice 100; subscription community management; usage monitoring; inventory tracking; information concerning thequality control database 440H; and/or an ability to track errors by theuser 90. - The
surveillance database 440K may preferably disseminate and/or provide, among other things, one or more of the following: statistics on spatial and temporal identification (ID) data; information concerning origin and rate of expansion in case of a pandemic onset; information concerning the efficacy of a particular biomarker which may be used; information concerning representative levels of particular biomarkers per region; a collection of observations and/or opinions from doctors; peer ratings on the information collected; profile information concerning buyers and/or vendors to create profiled content and/or to increase transactions; alert reports for cellular phones; and/or an online portal for IDs. - Preferably, as shown in
FIG. 3 , some of thebio-threat alert devices 100 may include the aforesaidtest device element 130 working in conjunction with amain processor 110. In an illustrative embodiment, the invention may be practiced with one of theaforesaid devices 100 in a wireless operating environment. Shown inFIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative one of thebio-threat alert devices 100. Thebio-threat alert device 100 may include a number of components, including the aforementionedmain processor 110 which may preferably control the overall operation of thedevice 100. Communication functions, including data and voice communications, may be performed through acommunication subsystem 112. Thecommunication subsystem 112 preferably acts as both a receiving element and a transmitting element. Thecommunication subsystem 112 may receive messages from and send messages to awireless network 300. Thedevice 100 may send and receive communication signals over thenetworks 300. - Some of the subsystems of the
bio-threat alert device 100 may perform communication-related functions, and some may provide “resident” or on-device functions. By way of example, adisplay 122 may be used for both functions. - The
main processor 110 may also interact with additional subsystems, such as a random access memory (RAM) 114, aflash memory 116, a presentation element 120 (preferably including, for example, thedisplay 122, colored indicator lights 124, and a speaker 126), short-range communications 128, aGPS subsystem 118, and thetest device element 130. Still referring toFIG. 3 , operating system software used by themain processor 110 is typically stored in a persistent store such as theflash memory 116. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as theRAM 114, for processing bymain processor 110. - The
GPS subsystem 118 may be operatively connected to themain processor 110 to pass acquired latitude and longitude coordinates to one ormore software applications 134, and to store the latitude and longitude coordinates as may be required intoflash memory 116 orRAM 114. Themain processor 110, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution ofvarious software applications 134 on thedevice 100. Thesoftware applications 134 may include aGPS map application 138 for providing geographic navigation, and location coordinates for geo-tagging objects. TheGPS map application 138 may be configured to operatively connect to theGPS subsystem 118 to receive GPS latitude and longitude coordinates for a current position of thedevice 100. TheGPS map application 138 may also store scalable maps of various geographic regions in order to show the current position of thedevice 100 on the map. As well, theGPS map application 138 may be configured to obtain latitude and longitude location coordinates by allowing a user to select a position on the GPS map. - As described elsewhere herein, in order to transmit test data to the
system 400, thetest device element 130 may be provided withcontrol logic 132. As aforesaid, thetest device element 130 may be operatively connected to themain processor 110. As such, thetest device element 130 may pass acquired test data to one ormore software applications 134, to thecommunication subsystem 112, and to store the test data as may be required intoflash memory 116 orRAM 114. Thetest device element 130 may be directly initiated by theuser 90. Additionally, thebio-threat alert application 136 may be directly and/or indirectly initiated by theuser 90—in addition to by thebio-threat alert signal 500 received from the bio-threatalert infrastructure system 400—by controlling a dedicated alert button or a context dependent programmable button or key that may double as a bio-threat alert button. - Preferably, when the
bio-threat alert signal 500 is received by thecommunication subsystem 112 of thedevice 100, themain processor 110 launches thebio-threat alert application 136. Together, thebio-threat alert application 136 and themain processor 110 decode thesignal 500 into the event data. The event data is then presented to theuser 90 using thedisplay 122, the colored indicator lights 124, and/or thespeaker 126 of thepresentation element 120, as appropriate. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 graphically depict decoded bio-threatalert signals 500 which may preferably be presented on thedisplays 122 of thealert devices 100 according to the present invention. InFIG. 4 ,time data 510 is shown in a textual format, andregional position data 520A is shown graphically in the form of map and/or drawingdata 590.Intensity data 530 is shown both in textual and graphical formats.FIG. 4 also includesstrain mutation data 540 andtreatment efficacy data 550 in textual format. -
FIG. 5 shows time and position data, 510 and 520 respectively, in a textual format, and graphically displaysnational position data 520B. InFIG. 5 , thetime data 510 includes past, present and future time data, 510A, 510B and 510C respectively. Point oforigin data 560 is shown in textual and graphical formats, the latter as map and/or drawingdata 590.FIG. 5 shows numerical co-ordinatesystem data 570 and textual/descriptiveplace name data 580. - It is noted that
FIG. 5 includes an estimate of the number of days remaining before a particular bio-threat reaches thecurrent location 520 of thedevice 100. It will be appreciated, therefore, that it is necessary for thedevice 100 to provide itsgeographic location system 400. InFIG. 1 , for example, one of the alerted ones of thedevices 200—namely, thededicated test device 100C—may supply its geographic location and/or personal data with thesystem 400 via thenetworks 300. In this last respect, it may be worthwhile to mention that, just as thebio-threat alert signal 500 may be customized to thedevice 100 on the basis of its location, thesignal 500 may be customized on the basis of personal data associated with theuser 90 and/or thedevice 100. That is, for example, thesignal 500 may be customized on the basis of the health or bio-threat predisposition of theuser 90. -
FIG. 6 shows, schematically by way of overview, an associatedmethod 600 of transmitting thebio-threat alert signal 500. The method includes the following steps, among others: adata collection step 602, atest step 604, alocation query 606, adevice locating step 608, astatistical analysis step 610, anencoding step 618, and a transmittingstep 620. - In the
data collection step 602—alternately, the “receiving step”—themethod 600 uses thesystem 400 to receive (among other things) a result of a bio-threat test conducting during or after thetest step 604. - For the transmission of some types of event data, the
system 400 requires thegeographic location device 100. In such event, themethod 600 answers thelocation query 606 in the affirmative. In thedevice locating step 608, themethod 600 then obtains thelocation device 100. - The statistical analysis step includes a
reference substep 612, an apply algorithms substep 614, and a generate event data substep 616. In thereference substep 612 of thestatistical analysis step 610, the analyzingprocessor 422 applies the statistical algorithms with reference to (a) clinical parameters, (b) sociological data, (c) medical infrastructure data, and/or (d) geophysics information. In the apply algorithms substep 614 of thestatistical analysis step 610, the statistical algorithms are applied to the collected quantitative data, using the analyzingprocessor 422 of thesystem 400. After applying the algorithms, thesystem 400 then precisely estimates the event data in the generate event data substep 616 of thestatistical analysis step 610. - In the
encoding step 618, theencoding processor 424 of thesystem 400 is used to encode the event data into thebio-threat alert signal 500. In the transmitting step, thesystem 400 is used to transmit thebio-threat alert signal 500. -
FIG. 7 shows, schematically by way of overview, an associatedbio-threat alerting method 700. The method includes the following steps, among others: atest query 702, atest step 704, a transmittingstep 706, an awaitalert step 708, a receivingstep 710, adecoding step 712, alocation query 714, adevice locating step 716, and apresentation step 718. - If a test is to be conducted for a bio-threat, the
method 700 answers thetest query 702 in the affirmative. In thetest step 704, thetest reader element 130 of thedevice 100 is used to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample. Thereafter, in the transmittingstep 706, thecommunication subsystem 112 of thedevice 100 is used to remotely transmit a result of the test. - Thereafter, in the await
alert step 708, themethod 700 awaits reception of thebio-threat alert signal 500. In the receivingstep 710, thecommunication subsystem 112 of thedevice 100 is used to receive thealert signal 500. In the receivingstep 710, thedevice 100 receive thealert signal 500, via thenetworks 300, from thesystem 400 and/or from another one or more of the devices 100 (i.e., from peer devices), as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - In the
decoding step 712, a decoding processor (preferably, a dedicated or tasked activity of themain processor 110 onboard the device 100) is used to decode thealert signal 500 into the event data. - To obtain some types of event data, the
device 100 needs to provide itsgeographic location method 700 answers thelocation query 714 in the affirmative. In the locatingstep 716, thedevice 100 is used to identify itsown location - In the
presentation step 718, thepresentation element 120 onboard thedevice 100 is preferably used to present the event data to theuser 90. - This concludes the description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Other modifications, variations and alterations are possible in light of the above teaching and will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be used in the design and manufacture of other embodiments according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but only by the claims forming a part of this application and/or any patent issuing herefrom.
Claims (26)
1. A bio-threat alert device, for use with a bio-threat alert signal, the device comprising:
(a) a receiving element operatively receiving the alert signal;
(b) a decoding processor to decode the alert signal into event data, wherein the event data comprises time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat; and
(c) a presentation element operatively presenting at least a portion of the event data to a user of the device.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
3. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising a location element operative to identify a location of the device, and wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
4. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
5. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
6. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element comprises (a) a display element to visually present, and/or (b) an audio element for audible presentation of, the portion of the event data to the user.
7. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one said event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
8. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
9. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
10. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
11. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising: (a) a biological or environmental test reader element operative to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting element to remotely transmit a result of said test.
12. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving element, the decoding processor, and the presentation element of the device are together embodied within: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (l) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
13. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving element is adapted to operatively receive, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
14. A bio-threat alerting method, for use with a bio-threat alert signal, of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device, the method comprising:
(a) a receiving step of using the device to receive the alert signal;
(b) a decoding step of using a decoding processor, onboard the device, to decode the alert signal into event data, wherein the event data comprises time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat; and
(c) a presentation step of using a presentation element onboard the device to present at least a portion of the event data to the user.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time.
16. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising a locating step, before the presentation step, of using the device to identify a location of the device, and wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device.
17. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user.
18. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights.
19. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element visually and/or audibly presents the portion of the event data to the user.
20. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one said event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing.
21. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale.
22. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area.
23. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments.
24. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising (a) a biological or environmental test step of using the device to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting step of using the device to remotely transmit a result of said test.
25. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the receiving step, the decoding step, and the presentation step are together performed using: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio.
26. A method according to claim 14 , wherein in the receiving step, the device operatively receives, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/703,245 US20180005515A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2017-09-13 | Bio-threat alert system |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US7535008P | 2008-06-25 | 2008-06-25 | |
US9303608P | 2008-08-29 | 2008-08-29 | |
US14428309P | 2009-01-13 | 2009-01-13 | |
PCT/CA2009/000882 WO2009155704A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2009-06-25 | Bio-threat alert system |
US201213000953A | 2012-03-06 | 2012-03-06 | |
US15/703,245 US20180005515A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2017-09-13 | Bio-threat alert system |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CA2009/000882 Division WO2009155704A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2009-06-25 | Bio-threat alert system |
US13/000,953 Division US9792809B2 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2009-06-25 | Bio-threat alert system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180005515A1 true US20180005515A1 (en) | 2018-01-04 |
Family
ID=41443948
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/000,953 Active 2032-02-02 US9792809B2 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2009-06-25 | Bio-threat alert system |
US15/703,245 Abandoned US20180005515A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2017-09-13 | Bio-threat alert system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/000,953 Active 2032-02-02 US9792809B2 (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2009-06-25 | Bio-threat alert system |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9792809B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2321810A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102132330B (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0915514A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2729023C (en) |
RU (2) | RU165344U1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009155704A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201100596B (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102576382A (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2012-07-11 | 诺基亚公司 | Method and apparatus for tracking and disseminating health information via mobile channels |
US10030863B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2018-07-24 | Cree, Inc. | Heat sink structures, lighting elements and lamps incorporating same, and methods of making same |
US9524372B2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2016-12-20 | Alverix, Inc. | In-vitro diagnostic device using external information in conjunction with test results |
US9715579B2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2017-07-25 | Alverix, Inc. | Distributed network of in-vitro diagnostic devices |
US9129039B2 (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2015-09-08 | Ut-Battelle, Llc | Scenario driven data modelling: a method for integrating diverse sources of data and data streams |
CA3024569A1 (en) | 2016-06-22 | 2017-12-28 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Modular assay reader device |
CN114422113B (en) * | 2020-10-12 | 2024-04-12 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for obtaining proximity and electronic equipment |
CN113744513B (en) * | 2021-09-07 | 2023-01-31 | 中国农业科学院农业质量标准与检测技术研究所 | Toxic organism early warning method and device and server |
Family Cites Families (171)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5244630A (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1993-09-14 | Abbott Laboratories | Device for performing solid-phase diagnostic assay |
ES2066851T3 (en) | 1988-05-24 | 1995-03-16 | Anagen Uk Ltd | MAGNETICALLY ATTRIBUTABLE PARTICLES AND METHOD OF PREPARATION. |
DE4105400A1 (en) | 1991-02-21 | 1992-08-27 | Behringwerke Ag | DEFINED COATING WITH RECOMBINANT FUSION PROTEINS FROM CONSTANT FUSION PARTNER AND VARIABLE ANTIGEN IN DIAGNOSTIC TEST SYSTEMS |
AU695259B2 (en) | 1993-05-05 | 1998-08-13 | Common Services Agency | Hepatitis-C virus type 4, 5 and 6 |
US6103379A (en) | 1994-10-06 | 2000-08-15 | Bar-Ilan University | Process for the preparation of microspheres and microspheres made thereby |
US6340588B1 (en) | 1995-04-25 | 2002-01-22 | Discovery Partners International, Inc. | Matrices with memories |
US6022500A (en) | 1995-09-27 | 2000-02-08 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Polymer encapsulation and polymer microsphere composites |
ATE496288T1 (en) | 1995-10-11 | 2011-02-15 | Luminex Corp | SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL SAMPLES |
US5837442A (en) | 1995-11-29 | 1998-11-17 | Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. | Oligonucleotide primers for amplifying HCV nucleic acid |
US5885470A (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1999-03-23 | Caliper Technologies Corporation | Controlled fluid transport in microfabricated polymeric substrates |
ES2140998B1 (en) | 1996-05-13 | 2000-10-16 | Univ Sevilla | LIQUID ATOMIZATION PROCEDURE. |
US6405936B1 (en) | 1996-05-13 | 2002-06-18 | Universidad De Sevilla | Stabilized capillary microjet and devices and methods for producing same |
US6116516A (en) | 1996-05-13 | 2000-09-12 | Universidad De Sevilla | Stabilized capillary microjet and devices and methods for producing same |
US5800690A (en) | 1996-07-03 | 1998-09-01 | Caliper Technologies Corporation | Variable control of electroosmotic and/or electrophoretic forces within a fluid-containing structure via electrical forces |
US6582921B2 (en) | 1996-07-29 | 2003-06-24 | Nanosphere, Inc. | Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses thereof |
US6120666A (en) | 1996-09-26 | 2000-09-19 | Ut-Battelle, Llc | Microfabricated device and method for multiplexed electrokinetic focusing of fluid streams and a transport cytometry method using same |
US5817458A (en) | 1996-10-15 | 1998-10-06 | The Avriel Group, Amcas Division Inc. | Reagent system for detecting HIV-infected peripheral blood lymphocytes in whole blood |
US5714390A (en) | 1996-10-15 | 1998-02-03 | Bio-Tech Imaging, Inc. | Cartridge test system for the collection and testing of blood in a single step |
US5786219A (en) | 1996-10-28 | 1998-07-28 | Molecular Probes, Inc. | Microspheres with fluorescent spherical zones |
US5959291A (en) | 1997-06-27 | 1999-09-28 | Caliper Technologies Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring low power signals |
US6066243A (en) | 1997-07-22 | 2000-05-23 | Diametrics Medical, Inc. | Portable immediate response medical analyzer having multiple testing modules |
EP1568787B1 (en) | 1997-08-08 | 2014-04-30 | bioMérieux BV | Method for using nucleic acid sequences as primers and probes in the amplification and detection of all subtypes of HIV-1 |
WO1999019000A1 (en) | 1997-10-11 | 1999-04-22 | The Research Foundation Of State University Of New York | Controlled size polymeric microspheres with superparamagnetic cores |
US6699723B1 (en) | 1997-11-25 | 2004-03-02 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Organo luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal probes for biological applications and process for making and using such probes |
EP0919568A1 (en) | 1997-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | Sorin Diagnostics S.r.l. | Escape mutant of the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus |
EP1044370B1 (en) | 1997-12-30 | 2017-08-23 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Software for the display of chromatographic separation data |
WO1999036564A1 (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-07-22 | Luminex Corporation | Multiplexed analysis of clinical specimens apparatus and methods |
US6394952B1 (en) | 1998-02-03 | 2002-05-28 | Adeza Biomedical Corporation | Point of care diagnostic systems |
US6100541A (en) | 1998-02-24 | 2000-08-08 | Caliper Technologies Corporation | Microfluidic devices and systems incorporating integrated optical elements |
CA2268997C (en) | 1998-05-05 | 2005-03-22 | National Research Council Of Canada | Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (qdip) and methods of making the same |
WO1999058955A1 (en) | 1998-05-14 | 1999-11-18 | Luminex Corporation | Multi-analyte diagnostic system and computer implemented process for same |
AU4423399A (en) | 1998-06-09 | 1999-12-30 | Caliper Technologies Corporation | Fluorescent polarization detection in microfluidic systems |
US7077328B2 (en) | 1998-07-31 | 2006-07-18 | Abbott Laboratories | Analyte test instrument system including data management system |
US6263286B1 (en) | 1998-08-13 | 2001-07-17 | U.S. Genomics, Inc. | Methods of analyzing polymers using a spatial network of fluorophores and fluorescence resonance energy transfer |
WO2000013580A1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2000-03-16 | Amira Medical | Device for determination of an analyte in a body fluid intergrated with an insulin pump |
WO2000029617A2 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2000-05-25 | Advanced Research And Technology Institute, Inc. | Water-soluble luminescent quantum dots and bioconjugates thereof |
US7079241B2 (en) | 2000-04-06 | 2006-07-18 | Invitrogen Corp. | Spatial positioning of spectrally labeled beads |
US6498497B1 (en) | 1998-10-14 | 2002-12-24 | Caliper Technologies Corp. | Microfluidic controller and detector system with self-calibration |
US6319607B1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2001-11-20 | Bio-Pixels Ltd. | Purification of functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals |
US6309701B1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2001-10-30 | Bio-Pixels Ltd. | Fluorescent nanocrystal-labeled microspheres for fluorescence analyses |
WO2000028598A1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2000-05-18 | Biocrystal Limited | Methods for identification and verification |
US6261779B1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2001-07-17 | Bio-Pixels Ltd. | Nanocrystals having polynucleotide strands and their use to form dendrimers in a signal amplification system |
US6576155B1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2003-06-10 | Biocrystal, Ltd. | Fluorescent ink compositions comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals |
US6333110B1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2001-12-25 | Bio-Pixels Ltd. | Functionalized nanocrystals as visual tissue-specific imaging agents, and methods for fluorescence imaging |
US6114038A (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2000-09-05 | Biocrystal Ltd. | Functionalized nanocrystals and their use in detection systems |
DE60044490D1 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 2010-07-15 | Caliper Life Sciences Inc | MANIPULATION OF MICROTEILS IN MICROFLUID SYSTEMS |
US7166475B2 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2007-01-23 | Cyclacel Ltd. | Compositions and methods for monitoring the modification state of a pair of polypeptides |
US20010055764A1 (en) | 1999-05-07 | 2001-12-27 | Empedocles Stephen A. | Microarray methods utilizing semiconductor nanocrystals |
EP1179185B1 (en) | 1999-05-07 | 2009-08-12 | Life Technologies Corporation | A method of detecting an analyte using semiconductor nanocrystals |
WO2000068671A2 (en) | 1999-05-12 | 2000-11-16 | Aclara Biosciences, Inc. | Multiplexed fluorescent detection in microfluidic devices |
US6592821B1 (en) | 1999-05-17 | 2003-07-15 | Caliper Technologies Corp. | Focusing of microparticles in microfluidic systems |
WO2000070080A1 (en) | 1999-05-17 | 2000-11-23 | Caliper Technologies Corp. | Focusing of microparticles in microfluidic systems |
US6544732B1 (en) | 1999-05-20 | 2003-04-08 | Illumina, Inc. | Encoding and decoding of array sensors utilizing nanocrystals |
US20020051971A1 (en) | 1999-05-21 | 2002-05-02 | John R. Stuelpnagel | Use of microfluidic systems in the detection of target analytes using microsphere arrays |
US20060169800A1 (en) | 1999-06-11 | 2006-08-03 | Aradigm Corporation | Aerosol created by directed flow of fluids and devices and methods for producing same |
US6811668B1 (en) | 1999-06-22 | 2004-11-02 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Apparatus for the operation of a microfluidic device |
US6353475B1 (en) | 1999-07-12 | 2002-03-05 | Caliper Technologies Corp. | Light source power modulation for use with chemical and biochemical analysis |
EP1208382B1 (en) | 1999-08-17 | 2006-04-26 | Luminex Corporation | Encapsulation of fluorescent particles |
GB9921042D0 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 1999-11-10 | Stove George C | Radar apparatus for spectrometric analysis and a method of performing spectrometric analysis of a substance |
US6752966B1 (en) | 1999-09-10 | 2004-06-22 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Microfabrication methods and devices |
AU7579900A (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2001-04-17 | Luminex Corporation | Creation of a database of biochemical data and methods of use |
US20040267568A1 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2004-12-30 | Mark Chandler | Creation of a database of biochemical data and methods of use |
US6978212B1 (en) | 1999-11-01 | 2005-12-20 | Smiths Detection Inc. | System for portable sensing |
US7037416B2 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2006-05-02 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Method for monitoring flow rate using fluorescent markers |
WO2003074738A1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2003-09-12 | Quantom Dot Corporation | Oligonucleotide-tagged semiconductor nanocrystals for microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization |
US20020004246A1 (en) | 2000-02-07 | 2002-01-10 | Daniels Robert H. | Immunochromatographic methods for detecting an analyte in a sample which employ semiconductor nanocrystals as detectable labels |
US20030099940A1 (en) | 2000-02-16 | 2003-05-29 | Empedocles Stephen A. | Single target counting assays using semiconductor nanocrystals |
WO2001063270A1 (en) | 2000-02-23 | 2001-08-30 | Caliper Technologies, Inc. | Multi-reservoir pressure control system |
EP2365096A1 (en) | 2000-03-22 | 2011-09-14 | Life Technologies Corporation | Methods of using semiconductor nanocrystals in bead-based nucleic acid assays |
US6773812B2 (en) | 2000-04-06 | 2004-08-10 | Luminex Corporation | Magnetically-responsive microspheres |
US6548264B1 (en) | 2000-05-17 | 2003-04-15 | University Of Florida | Coated nanoparticles |
WO2001089585A1 (en) | 2000-05-24 | 2001-11-29 | Biocrystal Ltd. | tLUORESCENT NANOCRYSTAL-LABELLED MICROSPHERES FOR FLUORESCENCE ANALYSES |
US7351376B1 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2008-04-01 | California Institute Of Technology | Integrated active flux microfluidic devices and methods |
GB0013610D0 (en) | 2000-06-06 | 2000-07-26 | Secr Defence | Monitoring means |
US6494830B1 (en) | 2000-06-22 | 2002-12-17 | Guidance Interactive Technologies, Inc. | Handheld controller for monitoring/using medical parameters |
JP2002000271A (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2002-01-08 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | System, method, and database for analyzing microorganism |
AU2001272257A1 (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2002-01-21 | Medmira Inc. | Hcv mosaic antigen composition |
WO2002007064A2 (en) | 2000-07-17 | 2002-01-24 | Labnetics, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the processing of remotely collected electronic information characterizing properties of biological entities |
CA2314398A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 | 2002-02-10 | Edward Shipwash | Microarrays and microsystems for amino acid analysis and protein sequencing |
US20020182609A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2002-12-05 | Luminex Corporation | Microsphere based oligonucleotide ligation assays, kits, and methods of use, including high-throughput genotyping |
US6934408B2 (en) | 2000-08-25 | 2005-08-23 | Amnis Corporation | Method and apparatus for reading reporter labeled beads |
US20020048425A1 (en) | 2000-09-20 | 2002-04-25 | Sarnoff Corporation | Microfluidic optical electrohydrodynamic switch |
WO2002029140A1 (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2002-04-11 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Arkansas | Synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals |
US6649138B2 (en) | 2000-10-13 | 2003-11-18 | Quantum Dot Corporation | Surface-modified semiconductive and metallic nanoparticles having enhanced dispersibility in aqueous media |
EP1410044A2 (en) | 2000-11-08 | 2004-04-21 | Burstein Technologies, Inc. | Interactive system for analyzing biological samples and processing related information and the use thereof |
US6778724B2 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2004-08-17 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Optical switching and sorting of biological samples and microparticles transported in a micro-fluidic device, including integrated bio-chip devices |
US6573128B1 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2003-06-03 | Cree, Inc. | Epitaxial edge termination for silicon carbide Schottky devices and methods of fabricating silicon carbide devices incorporating same |
US20020083888A1 (en) | 2000-12-28 | 2002-07-04 | Zehnder Donald A. | Flow synthesis of quantum dot nanocrystals |
CN1152055C (en) | 2001-03-20 | 2004-06-02 | 清华大学 | Surface cladding and radical functino modification method of magnetic microsphere, thus obtained microsphere and its application |
US7041468B2 (en) | 2001-04-02 | 2006-05-09 | Therasense, Inc. | Blood glucose tracking apparatus and methods |
JP2002311027A (en) | 2001-04-09 | 2002-10-23 | Hitachi Software Eng Co Ltd | Beads, manufacturing method of beads, flow cytometer, and program |
US20020164271A1 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2002-11-07 | Ho Winston Z. | Wavelength-coded bead for bioassay and signature recogniton |
US6845327B2 (en) | 2001-06-08 | 2005-01-18 | Epocal Inc. | Point-of-care in-vitro blood analysis system |
US6905885B2 (en) | 2001-06-12 | 2005-06-14 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Portable pathogen detection system |
AU2002322348A1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2003-03-03 | Advanced Research And Technology Institute, Inc. | Methods of preparing multicolor quantum dot tagged beads and conjugates thereof |
EP1493487A1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2005-01-05 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Microfluidic system with ESI residual current control |
WO2003092043A2 (en) | 2001-07-20 | 2003-11-06 | Quantum Dot Corporation | Luminescent nanoparticles and methods for their preparation |
US7060227B2 (en) | 2001-08-06 | 2006-06-13 | Sau Lan Tang Staats | Microfluidic devices with raised walls |
GB2378949B (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2005-09-07 | Morten Steen Hanefeld Dziegiel | Recombinant anti-plasmodium falciparum antibodies |
EP1428018B1 (en) | 2001-09-06 | 2010-06-09 | Straus Holdings Inc. | Rapid and sensitive detection of molecules |
US7214428B2 (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2007-05-08 | Invitrogen Corporation | Highly luminescent functionalized semiconductor nanocrystals for biological and physical applications |
US7205048B2 (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2007-04-17 | Invitrogen Corporation | Functionalized fluorescent nanocrystal compositions and methods of making |
US7195913B2 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2007-03-27 | Surmodics, Inc. | Randomly ordered arrays and methods of making and using |
US6966880B2 (en) | 2001-10-16 | 2005-11-22 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Universal diagnostic platform |
US7457731B2 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2008-11-25 | Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc. | Early detection of disease outbreak using electronic patient data to reduce public health threat from bio-terrorism |
US7343302B2 (en) | 2002-02-11 | 2008-03-11 | Puresense Environmental Inc. | System and method for emergency response |
US7689899B2 (en) | 2002-03-06 | 2010-03-30 | Ge Corporate Financial Services, Inc. | Methods and systems for generating documents |
US7252928B1 (en) | 2002-03-12 | 2007-08-07 | Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. | Methods for prevention of surface adsorption of biological materials to capillary walls in microchannels |
EP1344520B1 (en) | 2002-03-15 | 2007-10-03 | Alrise Biosystems GmbH | Microparticles and method for their production |
US7024370B2 (en) | 2002-03-26 | 2006-04-04 | P) Cis, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for early detection of health-related events in a population |
US20030194350A1 (en) | 2002-04-11 | 2003-10-16 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks | Public health threat surveillance system |
AU2003251890A1 (en) | 2002-07-15 | 2004-02-02 | Advanced Research And Technology Institute, Inc. | Rapid low-temperature synthesis of quantum dots |
US7834754B2 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2010-11-16 | Ut-Battelle, Llc | Method and system for monitoring environmental conditions |
EP1882519A3 (en) | 2002-08-02 | 2008-10-22 | Capsulution Nanoscience AG | Colour-coded layer-by-layer microcapsules as combinatory analysis libraries and as specific optical sensors |
US7267799B1 (en) | 2002-08-14 | 2007-09-11 | Detekt Biomedical, L.L.C. | Universal optical imaging and processing system |
NZ538348A (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2006-09-29 | Stout Solutions Llc | Bio-surveillance by threshhold analysis of symptom data captured by emergency services dispatchers |
JP4230741B2 (en) | 2002-08-30 | 2009-02-25 | 日立ソフトウエアエンジニアリング株式会社 | Purification method of semiconductor nanoparticles |
GB2393729A (en) | 2002-10-04 | 2004-04-07 | Nanomagnetics Ltd | Semiconductor nanoparticles |
AU2003275942A1 (en) | 2002-11-01 | 2004-05-25 | Technical University Of Denmark | A microfluidic system and a microdevice for velocity measurement, a method of performing measurements and use hereof |
US20040096363A1 (en) | 2002-11-18 | 2004-05-20 | Larry Porter | Point-of-care assay reader and analyzer |
TWI220162B (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2004-08-11 | Ind Tech Res Inst | Integrated compound nano probe card and method of making same |
EP1578952B1 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2011-11-23 | Nanosphere, Inc. | Direct snp detection with unamplified dna |
US7613510B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2009-11-03 | Razvan Rentea | Biofeedback device displaying results on a cellular phone display |
US6905583B2 (en) | 2002-12-13 | 2005-06-14 | Aclara Biosciences, Inc. | Closed-loop control of electrokinetic processes in microfluidic devices based on optical readings |
JP4073323B2 (en) | 2003-01-23 | 2008-04-09 | 日立ソフトウエアエンジニアリング株式会社 | Functional beads, reading method and reading apparatus thereof |
US20040176704A1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2004-09-09 | Stevens Timothy A | Collection device adapted to accept cartridge for point of care system |
US20050014134A1 (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2005-01-20 | West Jason Andrew Appleton | Viral identification by generation and detection of protein signatures |
WO2005022120A2 (en) | 2003-03-11 | 2005-03-10 | Nanosys, Inc. | Process for producing nanocrystals and nanocrystals produced thereby |
KR100890885B1 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2009-03-31 | 에프. 호프만-라 로슈 아게 | Compositions and methods for detecting certain flaviviruses, including members of the japanese encephalitis virus serogroup |
US7452565B2 (en) | 2003-06-12 | 2008-11-18 | Sukanta Banerjee | Immobilization of bead-displayed ligands on substrate surfaces |
US7115230B2 (en) | 2003-06-26 | 2006-10-03 | Intel Corporation | Hydrodynamic focusing devices |
WO2005017525A1 (en) | 2003-08-04 | 2005-02-24 | Emory University | Porous materials embedded with nanospecies |
US7069191B1 (en) | 2003-08-06 | 2006-06-27 | Luminex Corporation | Methods for reducing the susceptibility of a peak search to signal noise |
US7298478B2 (en) | 2003-08-14 | 2007-11-20 | Cytonome, Inc. | Optical detector for a particle sorting system |
US8346482B2 (en) | 2003-08-22 | 2013-01-01 | Fernandez Dennis S | Integrated biosensor and simulation system for diagnosis and therapy |
WO2005023923A2 (en) | 2003-09-04 | 2005-03-17 | Nanosys, Inc. | Methods of processing nanocrystals, and compositions, devices and systems including same |
US20070116868A1 (en) | 2003-09-24 | 2007-05-24 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Hybrid synthesis of core/shell nanocrystals |
US20050071199A1 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2005-03-31 | Riff Kenneth M. | Aggregating patient information for use in medical device programming |
US7790473B2 (en) | 2003-11-05 | 2010-09-07 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Health And Human Services | Biofunctionalized quantum dots for biological imaging |
US7998271B2 (en) | 2003-11-19 | 2011-08-16 | William Marsh Rice Universtiy | Solvents and new method for the synthesis of CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals |
US7118627B2 (en) | 2003-12-04 | 2006-10-10 | Hines Margaret A | Synthesis of colloidal PbS nanocrystals with size tunable NIR emission |
CA2550153A1 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2005-07-28 | Quantum Dot Corporation | Preparation of stable, bright luminescent nanoparticles having compositionally engineered properties |
WO2005061095A1 (en) | 2003-12-24 | 2005-07-07 | Mg Pharmacy Inc. | Process for producing microsphere and apparatus for producing the same |
US20050227370A1 (en) | 2004-03-08 | 2005-10-13 | Ramel Urs A | Body fluid analyte meter & cartridge system for performing combined general chemical and specific binding assays |
US7482059B2 (en) | 2004-05-10 | 2009-01-27 | Evident Technologies | Semiconductor nanocrystal complexes comprising a metal coating and methods of making same |
US7335345B2 (en) | 2004-05-24 | 2008-02-26 | Drexel University | Synthesis of water soluble nanocrystalline quantum dots and uses thereof |
US7276720B2 (en) | 2004-07-19 | 2007-10-02 | Helicos Biosciences Corporation | Apparatus and methods for analyzing samples |
US7229690B2 (en) | 2004-07-26 | 2007-06-12 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Microspheres including nanoparticles |
US20060036619A1 (en) * | 2004-08-09 | 2006-02-16 | Oren Fuerst | Method for accessing and analyzing medically related information from multiple sources collected into one or more databases for deriving illness probability and/or for generating alerts for the detection of emergency events relating to disease management including HIV and SARS, and for syndromic surveillance of infectious disease and for predicting risk of adverse events to one or more drugs |
WO2006033732A1 (en) | 2004-08-17 | 2006-03-30 | Invitrogen Corporation | Synthesis of highly luminescent colloidal particles |
TWI281691B (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2007-05-21 | Ind Tech Res Inst | Method for manufacturing a quantum-dot element |
US7524672B2 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2009-04-28 | Sandia Corporation | Microfluidic microarray systems and methods thereof |
US7534489B2 (en) | 2004-09-24 | 2009-05-19 | Agency For Science, Technology And Research | Coated composites of magnetic material and quantum dots |
US20060218010A1 (en) | 2004-10-18 | 2006-09-28 | Bioveris Corporation | Systems and methods for obtaining, storing, processing and utilizing immunologic information of individuals and populations |
US7405434B2 (en) | 2004-11-16 | 2008-07-29 | Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. | Quantum dot conjugates in a sub-micrometer fluidic channel |
DE102004062573A1 (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2006-07-13 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Three-dimensional nano- and microstructured supports |
US20060173715A1 (en) | 2005-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | Hao Wang | Health information system and method |
WO2006097778A1 (en) * | 2005-03-15 | 2006-09-21 | Nokia Corporation | Methods, device and system for sending and providing environmental data |
WO2006132953A2 (en) | 2005-06-03 | 2006-12-14 | Bayer Healthcare Llc | Solar-powered integrated-diagnostic instrument |
WO2007002579A2 (en) | 2005-06-23 | 2007-01-04 | Bioveris Corporation | Assay cartridges and methods for point of care instruments |
US7944468B2 (en) | 2005-07-05 | 2011-05-17 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | Automated asymmetric threat detection using backward tracking and behavioral analysis |
EP1904653A4 (en) | 2005-07-18 | 2010-04-14 | Us Genomics Inc | Microfluidic methods and apparatuses for sample preparation and analysis |
US20070081920A1 (en) | 2005-10-12 | 2007-04-12 | Murphy R S | Semi-disposable optoelectronic rapid diagnostic test system |
US20090082997A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2009-03-26 | Tokman Michael G | Method of identifying clusters and connectivity between clusters |
CN2927206Y (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2007-07-25 | 吉林一夫视频技术服务有限公司 | Urban security dynamic network video monitor alarming system |
CN100489908C (en) * | 2006-06-14 | 2009-05-20 | 吴玉沈 | Active automobile driver fatigue driving alarming device and method |
WO2008147382A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2008-12-04 | Micronics, Inc. | Integrated microfluidic assay devices and methods |
WO2008089155A2 (en) | 2007-01-12 | 2008-07-24 | Holtzman Douglas A | Biomarker assays for the diagnosis of malaria in developing countries based on epo levels |
CN101140688A (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2008-03-12 | 福建居安通智能技术有限公司 | Anti-theft alarming control host controlled by centralized processing platform through wide band and method of use thereof |
US20110008804A1 (en) | 2007-11-05 | 2011-01-13 | Kain Kevin C | Angiopoietin-1 and -2 biomarkers for infectious diseases that compromise endothelial integrity |
US8219110B1 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2012-07-10 | Open Invention Network Llc | Providing information to a mobile device based on an event at a geographical location |
-
2009
- 2009-06-25 BR BRPI0915514A patent/BRPI0915514A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-06-25 EP EP09768674.5A patent/EP2321810A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-06-25 CN CN200980133023.7A patent/CN102132330B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-06-25 US US13/000,953 patent/US9792809B2/en active Active
- 2009-06-25 WO PCT/CA2009/000882 patent/WO2009155704A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-06-25 CA CA2729023A patent/CA2729023C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2011
- 2011-01-24 ZA ZA2011/00596A patent/ZA201100596B/en unknown
-
2014
- 2014-12-30 RU RU2014154136/08U patent/RU165344U1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2016
- 2016-09-26 RU RU2016138173A patent/RU2016138173A/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-09-13 US US15/703,245 patent/US20180005515A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9792809B2 (en) | 2017-10-17 |
RU165344U1 (en) | 2016-10-10 |
EP2321810A4 (en) | 2014-09-17 |
CN102132330B (en) | 2015-07-22 |
WO2009155704A1 (en) | 2009-12-30 |
BRPI0915514A2 (en) | 2016-01-26 |
CA2729023C (en) | 2013-02-26 |
RU2016138173A3 (en) | 2018-03-29 |
ZA201100596B (en) | 2012-02-29 |
RU2016138173A (en) | 2018-03-29 |
US20120154139A1 (en) | 2012-06-21 |
CA2729023A1 (en) | 2009-12-30 |
CN102132330A (en) | 2011-07-20 |
EP2321810A1 (en) | 2011-05-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20180005515A1 (en) | Bio-threat alert system | |
Akowuah et al. | Determinants of Antenatal Healthcare Utilisation by Pregnant Women in Third Trimester in Peri‐Urban Ghana | |
CN111933299A (en) | Infectious disease infection risk assessment method and apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium | |
Stokoe | Putting people at the centre of tornado warnings: How perception analysis can cut fatalities | |
US20200194125A1 (en) | Method and System for Tracking, Storing, and Processing Data to Identify Risk Factors and Predict Health-Related Conditions | |
US20190042700A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for real-time assessment, mapping, and building databases of quality of life indicators | |
Alcoba et al. | Novel transdisciplinary methodology for cross-sectional analysis of snakebite epidemiology at national scale | |
CA3154877C (en) | System and method for identifying a disease affected area | |
US12014435B1 (en) | View scores | |
CN111159583B (en) | User behavior analysis method, device, equipment and storage medium | |
US20210318129A1 (en) | Machine Learning Platform for Dynamic Device and Sensor Quality Evaluation | |
CN115719635A (en) | Ambulance scheduling method, device, equipment and storage medium | |
CN113420054B (en) | Information statistics method, server, client and storage medium | |
Chan et al. | Applying environmental context to rehabilitation research using geographic information systems and global positioning systems geospatial technologies | |
Ross et al. | Lights and siren transport and the need for hospital intervention in trauma patients | |
US11256323B2 (en) | Method and system for determining liveability and health index | |
KR102452918B1 (en) | System for providing location based missing person reporting and real-time missing person alarming service | |
Stephens et al. | Development of a smartphone application serving pavement management engineers | |
Wei et al. | Individual Behavior and Attention Distribution during Wayfinding for Emergency Shelter: An Eye-Tracking Study | |
US20230016183A1 (en) | Characterizing localized natural areas and individual exposure | |
US20140045523A1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for tracking location of portable electronic device | |
Knickerbocker et al. | Deploying and integrating smart devices to improve work zone data for work zone data exchange | |
Llano et al. | Changing needs of individuals with disabilities in the time of COVID-19 as observed by a family navigation program in Miami, FL | |
Black et al. | Access to Local Government HACC services for people speaking a language other than English at home | |
Figueiredo et al. | Geographic intelligence to investigate community participation: a scoping review |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIO CORPORATION, CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUPOTEAU, FRANCOIS;REEL/FRAME:044946/0793 Effective date: 20100917 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |