US20180055491A1 - Excreta-Sampling and Chilling Toilet - Google Patents
Excreta-Sampling and Chilling Toilet Download PDFInfo
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- US20180055491A1 US20180055491A1 US15/248,788 US201615248788A US2018055491A1 US 20180055491 A1 US20180055491 A1 US 20180055491A1 US 201615248788 A US201615248788 A US 201615248788A US 2018055491 A1 US2018055491 A1 US 2018055491A1
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Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B10/00—Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
- A61B10/0038—Devices for taking faeces samples; Faecal examination devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K11/00—Closets without flushing; Urinals without flushing; Chamber pots; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets
- A47K11/02—Dry closets, e.g. incinerator closets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K17/00—Other equipment, e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushes
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/20—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system
- A61B5/207—Sensing devices adapted to collect urine
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
- A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
- A61B2562/0257—Proximity sensors
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
- Y02A50/30—Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to the field of health data collection devices, and more specifically to utilizing a toilet to collect excreta for analysis.
- Health data is collected by healthcare professionals and patients for the purpose of understanding and improving patients' health. It is common for physicians to collect this data in clinics and hospitals; however, when necessary, samples of blood, urine, mucus, feces, etc. are collected and sent to a laboratory for further analysis and data collection.
- One problem with data collection is that it can be tedious, requiring a patient's time and the time of his or her physician. When a sample is required to be sent to a laboratory, sample collection can be inconvenient for a patient as he or she may need to travel to give the sample. In addition, fecal samples can be unsanitary and/or repulsive to collect and handle. Another problem is that a sample which is collected at one moment in time may be representative of only that moment. In general, when a patient is out of a care facility, data and/or sample collection may not be as frequent or as regular as would be desired to obtain more comprehensive health data.
- An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed that overcomes or improves upon the limitations discussed above. In general, the excreta-sampling toilet includes a sewer isolation valve, a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis.
- The general embodiment described above saves time and may be more convenient for patients and physicians, because the solid excreta sample may be collected automatically in the homes and care facilities of the patients. Due to solid excreta samples being automatically processed and stored in containers, patients and physicians need not collect nor handle the samples directly, making the sample collection more sanitary. Patients with excreta-sampling toilets located in their residences may have the added benefit of more frequent and regular excreta samples, resulting in more comprehensive health data. Additionally, the invention described above cools excreta samples so that they can be reliably tested even after relatively long amounts of time.
- In one embodiment, an excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a sewer isolation valve, a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl receives excreta, in which liquid excreta is separated from solid excreta. The processing apparatus includes one or more containers. The processing apparatus processes a metered amount of a solid excreta sample and stores the solid excreta sample in one or more of the containers. The chiller chills the solid excreta sample for disposition and analysis.
- A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments. Several embodiments are depicted in drawings included with this application, in which:
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FIG. 1A andFIG. 1B depict a cross-sectional side view of an excreta-sampling toilet; -
FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added diverter valve; -
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 2 with added sensors; -
FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B depict an excreta-sampling toilet utilizing a centrifuge; -
FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with added sealing and labeling mechanisms; -
FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added seat; -
FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added controller and transceiver; -
FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added dryer; -
FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added light transmitters and receivers; -
FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added cleaning solution sprayer. - A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.
- In some instances, features represented by numerical values, such as dimensions, mass, quantities, and other properties that can be represented numerically, are stated as approximations. Unless otherwise stated, an approximate value means “correct to within 50% of the stated value.” Thus, a length of approximately 1 inch should be read “1 inch+/−0.5 inch.” In the case of temperature, approximately means “correct to within 1° C. of the stated temperature.”
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FIG. 1A andFIG. 1B depict a cross-sectional side view of an excreta-sampling toilet. Excreta-sampling toilet 100 includessewer isolation valve 102,bowl 104,processing apparatus 106, andchiller 108.Bowl 104 receives excreta.Liquid excreta 110 is separated fromsolid excreta 112 inbowl 104.Processing apparatus 106 includes one ormore containers 114.Processing apparatus 106 processes a metered amount ofsolid excreta sample 116 and storessolid excreta sample 116 in the one ormore containers 114. Chiller 108 chillssolid excreta sample 116 for disposition and analysis.Solid excreta 112 is moved frombowl 104 toprocessing apparatus 106. Aftersolid excreta 112 is processed, it may be metered based on volume or weight into a separate constituent. For purposes of this description, the separate constituent ofsolid excreta 112 described above is defined assolid excreta sample 116. Anysolid excreta 112 in excess of the metered amount ofsolid excreta sample 116 may be removed from processingapparatus 106 throughsewer isolation valve 102 and into a sewage waste pipe. Similarly,liquid excreta 110 may be removed frombowl 104 through pipes or tubes, throughsewer isolation valve 102, and into the sewage waste pipe to be carried to a waste treatment facility, septic tank, leach field, etc. - In some embodiments,
processing apparatus 106 includes a rotatingrack holding containers 114 which may be coupled to a rotary encoder or other motorized mechanism which automatically rotates the rack when a metered amount ofsolid excreta sample 116 is stored in one or more ofcontainers 114. In some other embodiments,processing apparatus 106 includes amagazine holding containers 114, which may automatically detachcontainers 114 when they are ready with samples and putnew containers 114 in their place. -
Solid excreta sample 116 is stored insidecontainers 114. Anycontainers 114 storingsolid excreta sample 116, from a current or previous disposition of excreta, may be stored at a temperature lower than room temperature (room temperature meaning approximately 21° C. or 73° F.) withinchiller 108.Chiller 108 may be powered by any of a variety of means, including batteries, power from a power outlet, solar panels, a biogas recovery system, etc. When excreta is newly deposited inbowl 104 oftoilet 100, it may have a temperature that is much higher than that of room temperature due to its origin from a body. Freshly excreted excreta may be vital to any laboratory test conducted, because the excreta may not have changed significantly due to bacterial action. This being said, cooling or chilling excreta such assolid excreta sample 116 may significantly limit bacterial growth such thatsolid excreta sample 116 may be useful for testing in a laboratory. - In some embodiments, for example,
chiller 108 is a refrigerator which maintains an interior temperature of approximately 0° C. A user may usetoilet 100 to deposit excreta inbowl 104 several times a day. In each instance of disposition of excreta,toilet 100 may storesolid excreta sample 116 in one or more containers. At some time each day, or at one or more pickup times each week, allsolid excreta samples 116 inside theirrespective containers 114 may be taken to a laboratory by a messenger such as the user, an assistant, a health care provider, a courier service, etc.Solid excreta samples 116 may then be analyzed and any information regardingsolid excreta samples 116 or health of the user may be sent to the user's physician directly, an internet accessible database, the user, a family member or guardian of the user, etc. In cases in which the data is sent to an internet accessible database, the database may be accessed via a peripheral device of the user including a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a personal computer, etc. In cases wherein the data is sent to the user's physician, the physician may subsequently make plans for treatment and/or perform further analysis. In some embodiments, the user is a homo sapiens. In some other further embodiments, the user is any of a variety of animals including a dog, a cat, a bird, a rodent, a reptile, etc. In these embodiments, a top portion ofbowl 104 may include a grate or slats for the user to be placed on while depositing excreta inbowl 104. - In some embodiments,
chiller 108 holdscontainers 114 which already havesolid excreta samples 116. In addition,chiller 108 may be removable, having a power supply to keepsolid excreta samples 116 cool. In this way,solid excreta samples 116 may be transported over larger time periods to a laboratory to be analyzed. In some further embodiments, after afirst chiller 108 is removed to be taken to a laboratory withsolid excreta samples 116 insidefirst chiller 108, a second chiller is installed in the place offirst chiller 108. In yet some other further embodiments, the connections between allchillers 108 andprocessing apparatus 106 may be such that removing and replacingchillers 108 may take less time than one minute. - In some embodiments,
chiller 108 is a freezer which maintains an interior temperature of −10° C. (14° F.) or less. In some further embodiments,chiller 108 is a thermoelectric cooler. In some other embodiments,chiller 108 is an evacuated freezer. - In some embodiments, heat which is pumped from an interior of
chiller 108 may be pumped in part or completely to coils within a toilet seat included intoilet 100. In this way, althoughchiller 108 may be kept at a low temperature relative to room temperature, the toilet seat oftoilet 100 may be warmed. - In some embodiments,
processing apparatus 106 includespiston 118.Piston 118 may displacesolid excreta 112 withinprocessing apparatus 106.Piston 118 may include a power source such as batteries, connection to a power outlet, solar panels, etc. In some further embodiments,processing apparatus 106 further includes a cylinder has a closed end.Piston 118 is positioned inside the cylinder and is oriented coaxial with the cylinder, and its sides are positioned coincident with interior walls of the cylinder.Piston 118 is positioned such that it may slide along its axis, which is shared with the cylinder, while maintaining a fluid seal.Piston 118 may exert a force onsolid excreta 112 aspiston 118 slides from one end of the cylinder to another. Whenpiston 118 pushessolid excreta 112 against the closed end of the cylinder,solid excreta 112 may deform until a certain volume of it is extruded into one or more ofcontainers 114. The rest ofsolid excreta 112 may be forced throughvalve 102 and into a sewage waste pipe. In this way, the volume insidecontainers 114 may determine the volume ofsolid excreta sample 116. - In some embodiments,
processing apparatus 106 processessolid excreta sample 116 by chopping, extruding, pulverizing, shearing, smearing or stirring. In some embodiments, for example,processing apparatus 106 includes one or more blades which may be actuated to chop or stirsolid excreta 112. In some other embodiments, for example,processing apparatus 106 includes a macerator which may be actuated to pulverizesolid excreta 112. In some other embodiments, for example,processing apparatus 106 includes a straight cutting blade which trimssolid excreta 112. In some yet other embodiments, for example,processing apparatus 106 includes a punch and die set which blanks a metered amount ofsolid excreta sample 116 fromsolid excreta 112. - In some embodiments,
solid excreta sample 116 is metered by weight. In some of these embodiments,processing apparatus 106 includes one or more scales. A first scale may be positioned supporting one or more ofcontainers 114 which will receivesolid excreta sample 116. A weight difference between empty and partially or completely filledcontainers 114 may verify a correct weight ofsolid excreta sample 116 to be stored. A second scale may be positioned underneath wheresolid excreta 112 may be positioned inprocessing apparatus 106, such that the second scale may verify a least weight ofsolid excrement 112 required. If, for example,solid excrement 112 does not have sufficient mass to meet the required weight, the second scale may send signals to a controller, which is coupled to the second scale. The controller may send a signal to a valve or gate contained withinprocessing apparatus 106 to close such that no solid excreta may enter any ofcontainers 114. - In some embodiments,
bowl 104 includes a means for separating liquid excreta from solid excreta. Solid excreta and liquid excreta may be separated from each other by means of apartition 120 which separatesliquid excreta 110 fromsolid excreta 112. Thepartition 120 may be a moveable partition. Thepartition 120 may be connected to a motor and a thermal imaging system which is able to detect and identify solid excreta from liquid excreta and movepartition 120 in order to separate solid excreta from liquid excreta. Additionally, or alternatively, sieve may be used to separate solid excreta from liquid excreta. A user seated ontoilet 100 deposits excreta (solid excreta 112 and liquid excreta 110) intobowl 104.Partition 120 may deflectliquid excreta 110 toward a front portion ofbowl 104, andpartition 120 may also deflectsolid excreta 112 toward a back portion ofbowl 104.Partition 120 may be positioned such that it is at a midpoint between a user's anus and urethra, for the purpose of separating the user'sliquid excreta 110 from his or hersolid excreta 112. In some embodiments, the user's anus and urethra are close together.Partition 120 may extend sufficiently close to the user to facilitate separation ofliquid excreta 110 fromsolid excreta 112. - In some further embodiments,
partition 120 may translate to different positions depending on a position of a seated user. Data indicating the position of the user's anus and urethra may be obtained by any of a variety of means including user input, photo sensors placed insidebowl 104, ultrasonic sensors, gas sensors, thermal sensors, force sensors, etc. For example, in some embodiments, a user may be seated ontoilet 100.Bowl 104 includes one or more infrared sensors, which collect data about a heat distribution of the user, as seen from insidebowl 104. The infrared sensors may collect this data and send it to a controller, which analyzes the data to determine the locations of highest and lowest heat. Based on this information, the controller may send instructions to partition 120 to move forward, move backward, rotate, and/or change elevation ofpartition 120 for optimum positioning. - In some embodiments,
toilet 100 includes one or more thermal sensors which collect heat data from a user. The heat data may then be used to estimate an internal temperature of the user. Heat data may be stored in a database, internal memory of a controller, a peripheral device, etc. for use by the user and/or his or her physician. - In some embodiments,
toilet 100 includes a vacuum assisted flush system. In some other embodiments,toilet 100 includes a ventilation system for venting gases along with a negative pressure gradient to keep noxious gases from exiting into a room viabowl 104. -
Sewer isolation valve 102 may keep sewer gases from entering through piping into any other portion oftoilet 100.Sewer isolation valve 102 is any of a variety of isolation valves including pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or electro-hydraulic types. In some embodiments,sewer isolation valve 102 is a one-way valve with a flapper or disc. -
FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added diverter valve. Excreta-sampling toilet 200 includessewer isolation valve 202,bowl 204,processing apparatus 206,diverter valve 220, andchiller 208.Processing apparatus 206 includes one ormore containers 214.Diverter valve 220 fluidly communicates with at least one ofcontainers 214,bowl 204, andsewer isolation valve 202. At least one ofcontainers 214 receives a metered amount ofliquid excreta 210, viadiverter valve 220, stored asliquid excreta sample 222. When a user depositsliquid excreta 210 intobowl 204,liquid excreta 210 may be gravitationally accelerated and travel through pipes or tubes todiverter valve 220.Diverter valve 220 may allow a metered volume ofliquid excreta sample 222 to flow into one ofcontainers 214. After one ofcontainers 214 is full ofliquid excreta sample 222,diverter valve 220 may allow any remainingliquid excreta 210 to flow throughsewer isolation valve 202.Sewer isolation valve 202 may subsequently allow remainingliquid excreta 210 to flow into a sewer waste pipe to be disposed of. -
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 2 with added sensors. Excreta-sampling toilet 300 includesprocessing apparatus 306,chiller 308, and one ormore sensors 324.Processing apparatus 306 includes one ormore containers 314. The one ormore sensors 324 may be used to analyzesolid excreta 312 andliquid excreta 310. For example, in some embodiments,sensors 324 are sets of capacitive plates which may be positioned around the entrances tocontainers 314. Capacitances between each set of plates may vary with density and conductive properties ofsolid excreta 312 orliquid excreta 310. The capacitive plates may be coupled to circuitry including a controller. The controller may record the values of the capacitances. In some other embodiments,sensors 324 may include chemical composition test strips. The test strips may check for pregnancy in a female user by testingliquid excreta 310 for the presence of a beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG can be detected in urine or blood after implantation, which occurs six to twelve days after fertilization. In some further embodiments, if the test strips included insensors 324 test positive for hCG, a controller coupled tosensors 324 may send a notification via a wireless transceiver to a peripheral device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. - In some embodiments,
sensors 324 indicate receipt ofsolid excreta sample 316 orliquid excreta sample 322 intocontainers 314.Sensors 324 may be any of a variety of sensors including active optical proximity sensors, gas sensors, impedance sensors, load sensors, temperature sensors, or ultrasonic proximity sensors. -
FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B depict an excreta-sampling toilet utilizing a centrifuge.Toilet 400 includesbowl 404,processing apparatus 406, andchiller 408.Processing apparatus 406 includes a centrifuge, one ormore containers 414,piston 418, andpiston housing 428. The centrifuge includes a centrifugalperforated basket 426 and a centrifugal motor (not shown).Piston 418 may start in a downward position, as shown inFIG. 4A , when excrement is deposited intobowl 404; this is so that excreta cannot entercontainers 414 prior to processing. The centrifugal motor may subsequently be actuated, which spinsbasket 426. As shown inFIG. 4A ,piston housing 428 is resting onbasket 426 such that friction betweenpiston housing 428 andbasket 426 causespiston housing 428 to spin in the same rotational direction asbasket 426. Due topiston housing 428 andbasket 426 spinning, the deposited excreta may move toward sides ofbasket 426. Continued spinning ofbasket 426 may separate liquid excreta, as it moves through perforations inbasket 426, from solid excreta, as it cannot pass through the perforations. After the solid and liquid excreta are separated from each other, the liquid excreta may flow into a sewer pipe andpiston 418 may lift to allow solid excreta below it, as shown inFIG. 4B . Subsequently,piston 418 may press the solid excreta against a bottom portion ofprocessing apparatus 406 such that a metered amount of the solid excreta sample is pressed into one or more ofcontainers 414. Aspiston 418 continues to press the solid excreta, any solid excreta in excess of the solid excreta sample may be pushed out ofprocessing apparatus 406 into the sewer pipe. The solid excreta sample and its one ormore containers 414 may be cooled bychiller 408 to preserve the solid excreta sample. -
FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with added sealing and labeling mechanisms. Excreta-sampling toilet 500 includesbowl 504,processing apparatus 506, andchiller 508.Processing apparatus 506 includes one ormore containers 514,labeler 530, andsealing mechanism 532.Labeler 530 includes labels. When processingapparatus 506 processessolid excreta sample 516, fromsolid excreta 512 deposited inbowl 504,processing apparatus 506 may then storesolid excreta sample 516 in one ormore containers 514. Whensolid excreta sample 516 is stored in one ofcontainers 514,labeler 530 may automatically label thecorresponding container 514 andsealing mechanism 532 may automatically seal thecorresponding container 514. For example, in some embodiments,labeler 530 includes partially or completely preprinted labels.Labeler 530 may place one of the labels on each ofcontainers 514 when it hassolid excreta sample 516 stored in it. In some further embodiments,labeler 530 may print a date, a time, a QR code, and/or other information related tosolid excreta sample 516 on a label which may have been placed on one ofcontainers 514. For example, in a further embodiment,toilet 500 includes sensors which may receive user identifying data and a controller which may send commands tolabeler 530 to print a corresponding user's name on a label to be placed on one ofcontainers 514.Respective container 514 may storesolid excreta sample 516 derived from the corresponding user. In some embodiments,processing apparatus 506 includes sensors, which may be located inchiller 508, which detect whensolid excreta sample 516 is received. These may signallabeler 530 andsealing mechanism 532 to actuate. - In some embodiments,
sealing mechanism 532 includes any of a variety of plugs including rubber plugs, plastic caps, wax plugs, etc. In some other embodiments,sealing mechanism 532 includes a heat sealer, whereincontainers 514 are plastic bags which are heat sealable. -
FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added seat.Toilet 600 includesbowl 604 andseat 634.Seat 634 has one ormore force sensors 636.Seat 634 may be positioned onbowl 604.Force sensors 636 may be positioned at intervals aroundseat 634 such that force concentration information may be gathered. For example, in some other embodiments,bowl 604 includespartition 620, whereinpartition 620 may move automatically depending on stress concentration information about a user seated onseat 634. Stress concentration information may indicate a user's position onseat 634. In some embodiments,force sensors 636 may measure a user's weight for tracking purposes, and his or her weight may be stored in a database, internal memory of a controller, a peripheral device, etc. -
FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added controller and transceiver. Excreta-sampling toilet 700 includescontroller 738,wireless transceiver 740,processing apparatus 706, andchiller 708.Processing apparatus 706 includes one ormore containers 714.Controller 738 may store and send instructions toprocessing apparatus 706 to direct it to actuate and to change its processes and settings at different times. For example, in some embodiments,toilet 700 includes sensors for analyzing liquid and solid excreta. One of the sensors may detect hGC (described above) in liquid excreta deposited by a user.Controller 738 may store instructions to only check for hGC at certain times of day or for specific users.Controller 738 may receive instructions viatransceiver 740 from a peripheral device of a user or her physician. This may save power, time, and resources, such as chemical test strips, when the sensor is instructed not to actuate or test for hGC. This may similarly be done with other sensors. In some further embodiments, the one or more sensors include chemical test strips. - In some embodiments,
processing apparatus 706 includes sensors which may send signals tocontroller 738 when a solid excreta sample is received by one ofcontainers 714.Controller 738 may send instructions viatransceiver 740 to a courier service and a laboratory technician to alert them that the sample is ready to be retrieved and tested. -
FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with an added dryer. Excreta-sampling toilet 800 includesprocessing apparatus 806,bowl 804, andchiller 808.Processing apparatus 806 includes one ormore containers 814 anddryer 842.Bowl 804 receives excreta, whereinsolid excreta 812 is separated from liquid excreta 810.Processing apparatus 806 receivessolid excreta 812.Dryer 842 removes further undesired liquid excreta 810 fromsolid excreta 812 and may dispose of undesired liquid excreta 810 in a sewage pipe. In some embodiments,dryer 842 includes a permeable membrane.Processing apparatus 806 may apply pressure againstsolid excreta 812, pressing it up against the permeable membrane, so that the permeable membrane may remove excess moisture. In some other embodiments,dryer 842 includes a centrifuge which spinssolid excreta 812 to remove excess moisture. In some other embodiments,dryer 842 includes a vacuum system positioned partially or completely insidechiller 808. The vacuum system may evacuate a space containingsolid excreta 812 withinprocessing apparatus 806 whilechiller 808 freezessolid excreta 812 simultaneously. Whensolid excreta 812 is frozen, with the vacuum system still actuated,solid excreta 812 may be allowed to warm up. While it warms,solid excreta 812 may release moisture into the evacuated space. The vacuum system may remove the additional moisture. In this way,dryer 842 may “freeze dry”solid excreta 812, andprocessing apparatus 806 may subsequently process a metered amount of a solid excreta sample and store it in one or more ofcontainers 814. -
FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added light transmitters and receivers. Excreta-sampling toilet 900 includesbowl 904,processing apparatus 906, one or morelight transmitters 944, and one or morelight receivers 946.Bowl 904 receives excreta, whereinliquid excreta 910 is separated fromsolid excreta 912.Light transmitters 944 may emit wavelengths of light that partially sanitize and impede bacterial growth, such as ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma wavelengths of light.Light receivers 946 may meter bacterial growth by receiving light wavelengths corresponding to light emitted from a chemical reaction with adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that may be found in and around living cells, and it may give a direct measure of biological concentration. ATP may be quantified by measuring light produced through its reaction with a naturally occurring firefly enzyme, luciferase, usinglight receivers 946. An amount of light produced may be directly proportional to an amount of ATP present. In some embodiments, an amount of bacterial growth detected vialight receivers 946 may be directly proportional to an intensity of light emitted bylight transmitters 944 to further impede bacterial growth. In some other embodiments,toilet 900 includes a light emitter which is coupled tolight transmitters 944, whereinlight transmitters 944 are optical fiber cables. In some embodiments, luciferase is injected intotoilet 900 in order to measure light produced through its reaction with ATP. -
FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1A with added cleaning solution sprayer. Excreta-sampling toilet 1000 includessewer isolation valve 1002,bowl 1004,processing apparatus 1006, and cleaning sprayer 1048.Toilet 1000 may need to be sanitized regularly in order to collect good samples ofsolid excreta 1012 andliquid excreta 1010. Cleaning sprayer 1048 injects a super-heated cleaning solution to cleantoilet 1000. In the depicted embodiment, cleaning sprayer 1048 includesmultiple nozzles 1050.Nozzles 1050 may be positioned on interior walls ofbowl 1004 andprocessing apparatus 1006. When actuated, cleaning sprayer 1048 injects the super-heated cleaning solution vianozzles 1050. Aftertoilet 1000 is sufficiently cleaned, any remaining cleaning solution which has not already exitedtoilet 1000 viasewer isolation valve 1002 into a sewage waste pipe is removed from the system by any of a variety of means including a vacuum, a desiccating agent, a heated or non-heated air pump, or a rinse of heated potable water vianozzles 1050. - In some embodiments,
nozzles 1050 are rotary nozzles such that every surface withinbowl 1004 andprocessing apparatus 1006 may be impinged upon with cleaning solution. In some embodiments,toilet 1000 includes a lid which coversbowl 1004 such that no cleaning solution may exittoilet 1000 while cleaning sprayer 1048 may be cleaning it. - In some other embodiments,
sewer isolation valve 1002 remains closed whiletoilet 1000 is being cleaned, andsewer isolation valve 1002 may open afterwards. In some further embodiments, whensewer isolation valve 1002 opens, fluids containing cleaning solution,solid excreta 1012, andliquid excreta 1010 withintoilet 1000 may empty throughsewer isolation valve 1002. The draining of this fluid all at once may result in siphon action.
Claims (19)
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