WO2022183319A1

WO2022183319A1 - Monitoring pathogen infection

Info

Publication number: WO2022183319A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/078475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chiao-Yi Huang
Original assignee: Roche Diagnostics Gmbh; Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag
Priority date: 2021-03-01
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2022-09-09

Abstract

An apparatus(210) for monitoring pathogen infection. The apparatus(210) comprises a ventilator(220) adapted to be coupled to a mask(130). The apparatus(210) comprises a monitoring component(230) coupled to the ventilator(220). The monitoring component(230) is configured to detect a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user(150) wearing the mask(130) and generate information concerning the detection of the pathogen. The apparatus(210) comprises a communication component(240) coupled to the monitoring component(230). The communication component(240) is configured to transmit the generated information to a device(110).

Description

MONITORING PATHOGEN INFECTION

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of medical science and technology and in particular, to an apparatus, a mask, methods, devices, and computer program products for monitoring pathogen infection.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory diseases are common diseases for human. The respiratory diseases are usually caused by infection of a pathogen, such as a virus, a bacterium and so on. Such a pathogen can be spread through the air. During pandemic of a respiratory disease, people usually wear masks for protection. An individual infected by the pathogen can be identified only after the individual has developed related symptoms, such as fever, cough. However, it is known that the infected individual may be infectious before onset of the related symptoms, for example, during the incubation period. Therefore, it is desired to identify an individual potentially infected by the pathogen as early as possible to alleviate the pandemic of the respiratory disease.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for monitoring pathogen infection.

In a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a ventilator adapted to be coupled to a mask. The apparatus comprises a monitoring component coupled to the ventilator. The monitoring component is configured to detect a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing the mask and generate information concerning the detection of the pathogen. The apparatus comprises a communication component coupled to the monitoring component. The communication component is configured to transmit the generated information to a device.

In a second aspect, there is provided a mask. The mask comprises an apparatus as described in the first aspect.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring pathogen infection. The method comprises receiving information concerning a detection of a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing a mask. The method also comprises determining a concentration level of the detected pathogen for the user based on the received information. The method further comprises presenting an indication of the concentration level to the user.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring pathogen infection. The method comprises obtaining aggregated information concerning a plurality of users wearing masks. For each of the plurality of users, the aggregated information indicates a position of the user and a detected concentration level of a pathogen. The method also comprises determining, based on the aggregated information, a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region. The method further comprises transmitting risk information indicating the probability to a device associated with a target user located in the geographical region.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an electronic device. The electronic device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of the method in the third aspect described above.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an electronic device. The electronic device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of the method in the fourth aspect described above.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product. The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods in the third aspect described above.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer program product. The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods in the fourth aspect described above.

It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where:

Fig. 1 illustrates an example environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example process for monitoring pathogen infection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of presenting concentration level and risk information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of tracking multiple users according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for monitoring pathogen infection for an individual user according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for monitoring pathogen infection for multiple users according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing system/device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

As briefly mentioned above, a respiratory disease is usually caused by infection of a pathogen. The pandemic of the respiratory disease greatly impacts daily life. For example, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has changed fashions of life and work. It is known that the infected individual may be infectious before onset of the related symptoms and some infected individual which never develops the related symptoms may even be infectious. However, in conventional solutions, the infected individual can be identified only after the individual has developed the related symptoms. Therefore, it will be beneficial to identify an individual potentially infected by the pathogen as early as possible in order to alleviate the pandemic of the respiratory disease and even to avoid outbreak of the respiratory disease.

According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is proposed a solution for monitoring pathogen infection. In this solution, a mask comprises or is coupled with an apparatus for monitoring pathogen infection. The apparatus detects a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing the mask and generates information concerning the detection of the pathogen. A concentration level of the detected pathogen is determined from the information and presented to the user. The concentration level of the pathogen is tracked for a plurality of users wearing masks. Accordingly, the users are informed of a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region.

According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, an individual potentially infected by the pathogen can be identified as early as possible, for example, before onset of the related symptoms. In this way, the pandemic of the respiratory disease can be alleviated and even outbreak of the respiratory disease can be avoided.

Example Environment

Fig. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 in which some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In general, the environment 100 includes a plurality of users 150-1, 150-2, …, 150-n, a plurality of masks 130-1, 130-2, …, 130-n, a plurality of client devices 120-1, 120-2, …, 120-n and a server 110, where n is a positive integral. In the following, the plurality of users 150-1, 150-2, …, 150-n are collectively referred to as users 150 or individually referred to as a user 150; the plurality of masks 130-1, 130-2, …, 130-n are collectively referred to as masks 130 or individually referred to as a mask 130; and the plurality of client devices 120-1, 120-2, …, 120-n are collectively referred to as client devices 120 or individually referred to as a client device 120.

As shown in Fig. 1, the mask 130 is worn by the user 150. The mask 130 comprises or is coupled with a monitoring component. The monitoring component is configured to detect a pathogen in substances exhaled by the user 150 wearing the mask 130 and generate information concerning the detection of the pathogen. The monitoring component may be configured to detect any pathogen of interest, for example, any virus or bacterium existing in the substances exhaled by the user 150. As an example, the monitoring component may be configured to detect the virus causing COVID-19. In the following, the pathogen to be detected by the monitoring component is also referred to as the “target pathogen” and the information generated by the monitoring component is also referred to as “testing information” for purpose of discussion.

In the example environment 100, the mask 130 is in communication with the client device 120. To this end, the mask 130 further comprises or is coupled with a communication component. The communication component is coupled to the monitoring component and configured to transmit the testing information to the client device 120. The communication with the client device 120 may conform to any suitable wireless interface standards. Alternatively, or in addition, the mask 130 may be in communication with the server 110. In this case, the testing information may be transmitted to the server 110 directly.

The client device 120 may be any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of the client device 120 include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE) , personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , portable computers, tablets, internet of things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices. For example, the client device 120 may be a mobile phone of the user 150, as shown in Fig. 1. An application (APP) for use with the mask 130 may run on the client device 120 so as to monitor pathogen infection. The APP and the mask 130 can be provided by a same provider.

The client device 120 may receive the testing information from the mask 130 and determine a concentration level of the target pathogen for the user 150. The client device 120 may present the concentration level to the user 150. The client device 120 is in communication with the server 110 and can transmit the concentration level determined for the user 150 to the server 110.

As such, the server 110 collects concentration levels of the target pathogen from the plurality of users 150. The server 110 is associated with the mask 130 and can track and manage infection situations for the plurality of users 150. For example, the server 110 may be a server of the APP for use with the mask 130.

It is to be understood that the number of users, client devices and/or masks is provided for illustration purpose only without suggesting any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. The environment 100 may include any suitable number of users, client devices and/or masks adapted for implementing the present disclosure. Some example embodiments are now described in detail with reference to Figs. 2-7.

Example Mask and Related Components

Reference is made to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram 200 of an example mask 130 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the mask 130 is coupled with an apparatus 210 for monitoring pathogen infection. The apparatus 210 includes a ventilator 220 which is adapted to be coupled to the mask 130. To this end, the mask 130 includes an aperture 250 which is adapted to receive the ventilator 220.

Any suitable connection mechanism may be employed to couple the ventilator 220 to the aperture 250. For example, in some embodiments, a structure with screw threads may be formed around the aperture 250. In this case, the ventilator 220 is coupled to the mask 130 by screwing onto the structure. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a connection between the ventilator 220 and the aperture 250 may be implemented by a bayonet type connector.

By means of the connection mechanism, the apparatus 210 can be easily attached to or detached from the mask 130. In this way, the mask 130 can be replaced by a new one daily, weekly or as needed, while the apparatus 210 which is relatively expensive can be reused. Moreover, a variety of adaptors can be designed for the ventilator 250 such that the apparatus 210 can be used with different types of masks.

In some embodiments, the ventilator 250 may include a fan. The fan can facilitate to expel gas exhaled by the user 150.

Cross sections of the ventilator 220 and the aperture 250 may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the cross sections have a shape of circle. Alternatively, the cross sections may have a shape of square. The apparatus 210 may be coupled to the mask 130 at any suitable position of the mask 130. In the example as shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 210 is coupled to the mask 130 on the right side of the mask 130. In another example, the apparatus 210 may be coupled to the mask 130 on the front of the mask 130. In a further example, the apparatus 210 may be coupled to the mask 130 on the left side of the mask 130. In some embodiments, more than one apparatus 210 may be coupled to the mask 130. For example, two such apparatuses may be coupled to the mask 130 on the left side and right side of the mask 130, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 210 further includes a monitoring component 230. The monitoring component 230 is coupled to the ventilator 220. For example, the monitoring component 230 may be at least partially disposed within a chamber of the ventilator 220.

The monitoring component 230 is configured to detect the target pathogen in substances exhaled by the user 150 wearing the mask 130 and generate testing information concerning the detection of the pathogen. The monitoring component 230 may incorporate any suitable diagnostic means or testing means for detecting the target pathogen. For example, the monitoring component 230 may collect the substances exhaled by the user 150 and detect the target pathogen through a specific reaction. The substances exhaled by the user 150 may be in a state of gas initially and converted into a state of liquid (for example, moisture) after collected by the monitoring component 230, which facilitates the reaction.

In the embodiments where the monitoring component 230 is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the ventilator 220, the monitoring component 230 can collect as much gas exhaled by the user as possible since the gas is expelled through the ventilator 220. In such embodiments, detection of the target pathogen is facilitated.

Different concentration levels of the target pathogen cause different degrees of reaction. As such, the degree of reaction can reflect the concentration level of the target pathogen. In some embodiments, the testing information generated by the monitoring component may comprise information concerning the degree of reaction. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the testing information may comprise the concentration level of the target pathogen as determined by the monitoring component 230.

As shown in Fig. 2, in some embodiments, the monitoring component 230 may comprise a test strip 231 and a camera 232. The test strip 231 may be disposed within the chamber of the ventilator 220. A portion 235 of the test strip 231 in contact with the target pathogen has a color corresponding to the concentration level of the target pathogen. As an example, a red color of the portion 235 may correspond to a high concentration level, a yellow color of the portion 235 may correspond to a medium concentration level, a green color of the portion 235 may correspond to a low concentration level and a blue color of the portion 235 may correspond to absence of the target pathogen. As another example, a first color of the portion 235 may correspond to a concentration level exceeding a threshold and a second color different from the first color may correspond to a concentration level below the threshold.

In use, the gas exhaled by the user 150 is expelled through the ventilator 220 and the target pathogen (if any) contained in the gas thus contacts the test strip 231 which is disposed inside the ventilator 220. The color of the portion 235 may vary according to the concentration level of the target pathogen contained in the gas.

The test strip 231 may have any shape, including but not limited to, circle, ring, rectangular or square. In some embodiments, the test strip 231 may have a shape fitted to the cross section of the ventilator 220. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the test strip 235 has a shape of circle. In this way, the test strip 235 can collect as many substances exhaled by the user 150 as possible.

The camera 232 is configured to at least capture an image of the portion 235 of the test strip 231. The camera 232 is oriented with respect to the test strip 235 such that the camera 232 can focus on the portion 235. Given the limited space, the camera 232 may be implemented as a micro-camera.

n some embodiments, the image captured by the camera 232 may be used as the testing information. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the camera 232 is further configured to analyze the image to identify the color of the portion 235 and determine the concentration level of the target pathogen based on the identified color. In such embodiments, the concentration level determined by the camera 232 may be used as the testing information.

As shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 210 further comprises a communication component 240. The communication component 240 is coupled to the monitoring component 230 and configured to transmit the testing information to a device, for example at least one of the client device 120 and the server 110. In the example as shown in Fig. 2, the communication component 240 is communicatively coupled to the camera 232.

In some embodiments, the communication component 240 may be integrated with the monitoring component 210. For example, the communication component 240 may be a chip integrated into the camera 232. Alternatively, the communication component 240 may be physically separated from the monitoring component 210.

The communication component 240 may be implemented to communicate with the client device 120 or the server 110 using any suitable communication technology. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the communication component 240 is implemented using Bluetooth and thus is communicatively connected to the client device 120 via a Bluetooth component of the client device 120. For another example, communication between the communication component 240 and the client device 120 may be implemented using near field communication (NFC) technology. The communication between the communication component 240 and the server 110 may be implemented using radio access technology (RAT) or other remote communication technology.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 210 may further comprise a positioning component coupled to the communication component 240. The positioning component is configured to obtain position information of the user 150. For example, the positioning component may be configured to determine a position of the user 150 using Global Positioning System (GPS) . In such embodiments, the communication component 240 is further configured to transmit the position information to at least one of the client device 120 and the server 110.

Example Process

Reference is now made to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates an example process 300 for monitoring pathogen infection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The process 300 may involve the mask 130, the client device 120 and the server 110 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the process 300, the mask 130 transmits 305 to the client device 120 the testing information concerning the detection of the target pathogen in substances exhaled by the respective user 150 wearing the mask 130. Specifically, the communication component 240 transmits the testing information generated by the monitoring component 230 to the client device 120. For example, the communication component 240 of the mask 130-1 transmits the testing information to the client device 120-1.

In some embodiments, the mask 130 may transmit the testing information to the client device 120 if the user 150 has worn the mask 130 for a period of time, for example, an hour, two hours or longer. In some embodiments, the mask 130 may transmit the testing information to the client device 120 at a predetermined time of a day. In some embodiments, the mask 130 may transmit the testing information to the client device 120 in response to receiving a request for the testing information from the client device 120.

The client device 120 determines 310 a concentration level of the target pathogen for the user 150 based on the testing information. In the embodiments where the testing information comprises the concentration level determined by the monitoring component 230, the client device 120 may read the concentration level directly from the testing information. In the embodiments where the testing information comprises information concerning the degree of reaction, the client device 120 may determine the concentration level by analyzing the information concerning the degree of reaction.

In the embodiments where the monitoring component 230 comprises the camera 232 and the test strip 231, the testing information may comprise the image of the portion 235 of the test strip 231. In such embodiments, the client device 120 may identify from the image a color of the portion 235 of the test strip 231 and determine the concentration level based on the identified color. As an example, if the identified color is red, a high concentration level is determined for the user 150; if the identified color is yellow, a medium concentration level is determined for the user 150; if the identified color is green, a low concentration level is determined for the user 150; and if the identified color is blue, absence of the target pathogen is determined for the user 150. As another example, if the identified color is a first color, a concentration level exceeding a threshold is determined for the user 150; and if the identified color is a second color different from the first color, a concentration level below the threshold is determined for the user 150.

The client device 120 then presents 320 an indication of the concentration level to the user 150. In some embodiments, the indication of the concentration level may be an explicit indication. For example, the explicit indication may notify the user 150 that the user 150 has a low concentration level of the target pathogen. In some embodiments, the indication of the concentration level may be an implicit indication. For example, the implicit indication may notify the user 150 that the user 150 is fine with regard to the target pathogen.

In some embodiments, the indication of the concentration level may be a voice prompt. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication of the concentration level may be a visual representation displayed on a user interface of the client device 120. Reference is now made to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram 400 of presenting concentration level and risk information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The visual representation 410 displayed on the user interface of the client device 120 indicates that the user 150 is OK with regard to the target pathogen. The word reflecting the concentration level (which is “OK” in this example) may be displayed in a specific color, for example, in green. In this way, the user 150 can be provided with information on the concentration level intuitively.

In some embodiments, if the concentration level exceeds a threshold level, which means that the user 150 is potentially infected by the target pathogen, the client device 120 may additionally present a recommendation to the user 150. As an example, the client device 120 may present a recommendation of staying at home for several days. As another example, client device 120 may present a recommendation of visiting a hospital for further diagnosis.

Reference is made back to Fig. 3. In some embodiments, after determining the concentration level, the client device 120 may store the concentration level for tracking a change in the concentration level over time. For example, the concentration level may be stored in terms of day such that the change in the concentration level is tracked from day to day.

For an individual user, a mask enhanced with the function of detecting the target pathogen is used together with a client device. By the combination of the enhanced mask and the client device, progression of personal infection state can be tracked before onset of related symptoms. In this way, the individual user can be aware of his/her infection state timely.

As shown in Fig. 3, the client device 120 transmits 325 to the server 110 the concentration level and position information of the user 150. The position information of the user 150 may indicate a change of the position of the user 150 over time. In some embodiments, the position information of the user 150 may be obtained by a positioning module (for example, a GPS module) of the client device 120. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the position information may be obtained by the positioning component of the apparatus 210 as described above with reference to Fig. 2.

In some embodiments, the concentration level and the position information transmitted to the server 110 may be anonymized to protect personal privacy. To this end, the user 150 may be identified by an identifier allocated by the server 110 when the user 150 is registered to the server 110. Alternatively, or in addition, the user 150 may be identified by an identifier of the apparatus 210.

By receiving the concentration level and position information from each of the client devices 120, the server 110 aggregates information concerning the plurality of users 150 wearing the masks 130. For each of the plurality of users 150, the aggregated information indicates a position of the respective user and the concentration level of the target pathogen. For each of the plurality of users 150, the aggregated information may further indicate a change in the position and a change in the concentration level over time. In other words, the server 110 tracks the position and the concentration level of the target pathogen for each of the plurality of users 150.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of tracking multiple users according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. An example plot 510 represents part of the aggregated information. The

curves

511, 512 and 513 represent a change of the concentration level of the target pathogen over time (e.g., in terms of day) for the users 150-1, 150-2 and 150-n, respectively. Although not shown, it is to be understood that the aggregated information also comprises position information of the users 150-1, 150-2 and 150-n.

Reference is made back to Fig. 3. Based on the aggregated information, the server 110 determines 330 a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the target pathogen in a geographical region. A particular user for which the concentration level exceeds a concentration threshold is considered as an individual potentially infected by the target pathogen, which is also referred to as a “potential infected individual” . The probability may be determined based on the number of the potential infected individuals or a density of the potential infected individuals in the geographical region.

The server 110 transmits 335 risk information indicating the probability to a client device 120 associated with a target user 150 located in the geographical region. In some embodiments, the geographical region may be divided into sub-regions, and the risk information may indicate probabilities of contacting a potential infected individual in these sub-regions. These sub-regions may include a sub-region where the user 150 is currently located in, a sub-region which the user 150 is in interest of, a sub-region where the user 150 visits frequently, and the like.

The client device 120 presents 340 the risk information to the user 150. For example, the client device 120 may generate a voice prompt of the risk information. Alternatively, or in addition, the client device 120 may display the risk information on the user interface of the client device 120.

In some embodiments, the client device 120 may display the risk information superimposed on a map of the geographical region. Reference is made to Fig. 4. In the example as shown in Fig. 4, the risk information is related to

sub-regions

401, 402, 403 and 404. In the sub-region 401 which is marked as “no risk” , the probability of contacting the potential infected individual is extremely low. In the sub-region 402 which is marked as “low risk” , the probability of contacting the potential infected individual is low. In the sub-region 403 which is marked as “medium risk” , the probability of contacting the potential infected individual is medium. In the sub-region 404 which is marked as “high risk” , the probability of contacting the potential infected individual is high. Specific thresholds for classifying the probability as extremely low, low, medium and high may be predetermined based on difference factors, for example, influence, infectivity of the disease caused by the target pathogen.

By presenting the risk information, the user can easily know where is relatively safe and where is relatively dangerous. This may help to prevent the user 150 from visiting a dangerous region.

Reference is now made back to Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the server 110 may further identify potential infected users and risky users based on the aggregated information. If the concentration level for a first user exceeds a concentration threshold, the server 110 may identify 345 the first user as a potential infected user. Then, based on the aggregated information, the server 110 may determine 350 whether a distance between the first user and a second user at a historical time point is below a threshold distance, e.g., 10 m, 5m, 1m. The historical time point may be any time point within a period of time (for example, a week, two weeks) before the time when the concentration level for the first user exceeds the concentration threshold.

If the position information of the first and second users indicates that the distance between the first and second users at a certain historical time point is below the threshold distance, the server 110 may identify 355 the second user as a risky user. Information concerning the potential infected user and the risky user may be provided to an administrative department for preventing and controlling spread of the disease.

For multiple users, the combination of the enhanced mask, the client device and the server is used. By such combination, progression of infection states of the multiple users can be tracked before onset of related symptoms. In this way, high risk contact can be flagged, which can assist the prevention and control on the spread of the disease.

An example of tracking progression of multiple users to identify the potential infected user and the risky user is illustrated in Fig. 5. As shown by the curve 511, the concentration level tracked for the user 150-1 exceeds the concentration threshold on day 501. Accordingly, the user 150-1 is identified as the potential infected user. The position information 520 for day 502 which is before day 501 shows a position 521 of the user 150-1, a position 522 of the user 150-2, and a position 523 of the user 150-n. Based on the position information 520, the server 110 may determine that a distance between the user 150-1 and the user 150-2 is below the threshold distance on day 502. Accordingly, the user 150-2 is identified as a risky user. In contrast, the distance between the user 150-1 and the user 150-n is always above the threshold distance during a period of time (e.g., a week, two weeks) before day 501. Accordingly, the user 150-n is not identified as a risky user.

Reference is now made back to Fig. 3. The server 110 may transmit 360 warning information to the client device 120 of the second user. For the example shown in Fig. 5, the server 110 may transmit the warning information to the client device 120-2. The warning information indicates a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the target pathogen. The client device 120-2 may present 365 the warning information to the user 120-2.

By means of the warning information, a risky user can know the historical contact with the potential infected user. In this way, the risky user can take special attention to her/his health state, especially the related symptoms caused by the target pathogen.

It is to be understood that the process 300 is an example process for monitoring pathogen infection. In some embodiments, the mask 130 may transmit the testing information to the server 110 directly and the server 110 may determine the concentration level of the target pathogen based on the testing information. In other words, in such embodiments, the server 110 may collect information concerning detection of the target pathogen directly from the masks 130.

An example process for monitoring pathogen infection is described above. As can be seen from the example process, both progression of personal infection state and progression of infection states of the multiple users can be tracked before onset of related symptoms. As such, an individual potentially infected by the pathogen can be identified as early as possible, for example, before onset of the related symptoms. In this way, the pandemic of the respiratory disease can be alleviated and even outbreak of the respiratory disease can be avoided.

Example Methods

Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 600 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 can be implemented by the client device 120 in Fig. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

At block 610, the client device 120 receives information concerning a detection of a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user 150 wearing a mask 130. At block 620, the client device 120 determines a concentration level of the detected pathogen for the user 150 based on the received information.

In some embodiments, the client device 120 may identify, from an image included in the received information, a color of a portion of a test strip. The client device 120 may determine the concentration level based on the identified color.

At block 630, the client device 120 presents an indication of the concentration level to the user 150. The indication may be presented in an audible manner or a visual manner.

In some embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: transmitting, to a server 110 associated with the mask 130, the concentration level and position information of the user 150; receiving, from the server 110, risk information indicating a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region where the user 150 is located; and presenting the risk information. In some embodiments, the client device 120 may display the risk information superimposed on a map of the geographical region.

In some embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: receiving, from the server 110, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen; and presenting the warning information.

In some embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: storing the concentration level for tracking a change in the concentration level over time.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 700 can be implemented by the server 110 in Fig. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

At block 710, the server 110 obtains aggregated information concerning a plurality of users wearing masks. The aggregated information for each of the plurality of users indicates a position of the user and a detected concentration level of a pathogen. At block 720, the server 110 determines, based on the aggregated information, a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region. At block 730, the server 110 transmits risk information indicating the probability to a device associated with a target user located in the geographical region.

In some embodiments, the aggregated information for each of the plurality of users further indicates a change of the position of the user over time and a change of the concentration level of the detected pathogen over time.

In some embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the concentration level for a first user exceeds a concentration threshold, identifying the first user as a potential infected user; determining, based on the aggregated information, whether a distance between the first user and a second user at a historical time point is below a threshold distance; and in accordance with a determination that the distance is below the threshold distance, identifying the second user as a risky user.

In some embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: transmitting, to a device associated with the second user, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen.

Example Device

Fig. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing system/device 800 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The system/device 800 can be implemented as or implemented in the client device 120 and/or the server 110 of Fig. 1. The system/device 800 may be a general-purpose computer, a physical computing device, or a portable electronic device, or may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communication network. The system/device 800 can be used to implement the method 600 of Fig. 6 and/or the method 700 of Fig. 7.

As depicted, the system/device 800 includes a processor 801 which is capable of performing various processes according to a program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 802 or a program loaded from a storage unit 808 to a random access memory (RAM) 803. In the RAM 803, data required when the processor 801 performs the various processes or the like is also stored as required. The processor 801, the ROM 802 and the RAM 803 are connected to one another via a bus 804. An input/output (I/O) interface 805 is also connected to the bus 804.

The processor 801 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) , graphic processing unit (GPU) , co-processors, and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The system/device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

A plurality of components in the system/device 800 are connected to the I/O interface 805, including an input unit 806, such as keyboard, a mouse, or the like; an output unit 807 including a display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) , a liquid crystal display (LCD) , or the like, and a loudspeaker or the like; the storage unit 808, such as disk and optical disk, and the like; and a communication unit 809, such as a network card, a modem, a wireless transceiver, or the like. The communication unit 809 allows the system/device 800 to exchange information/data with other devices via a communication network, such as the Internet, various telecommunication networks, and/or the like.

The methods and processes described above, such as the method 600 and/or method 700, can also be performed by the processor 801. In some embodiments, the method 600 and/or method 700 can be implemented as a computer software program or a computer program product tangibly included in the computer readable medium, e.g., storage unit 808. In some embodiments, the computer program can be partially or fully loaded and/or embodied to the system/device 800 via ROM 802 and/or communication unit 809. The computer program includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 801. When the computer program is loaded to RAM 803 and executed by the PROCESSOR 801, one or more acts of the process 900 and/or process 1000 described above can be implemented. Alternatively, PROCESSOR 801 can be configured via any other suitable manners (e.g., by means of firmware) to execute the method 600 and/or method 700 in other embodiments.

Enumerated Example Embodiments

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in any of the forms described herein. For example, the following enumerated example embodiments describe some structures, features, and functionalities of some aspects of the present disclosure disclosed herein.

In a first aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a ventilator adapted to be coupled to a mask; a monitoring component coupled to the ventilator and configured to: detect a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing the mask; and generate information concerning the detection of the pathogen; and a communication component coupled to the monitoring component and configured to transmit the generated information to a device.

In some embodiments, the monitoring component comprises: a test strip, wherein a portion of the test strip in contact with the detected pathogen has a color corresponding to a concentration level of the detected pathogen; and a camera configured to capture an image of the portion of the test strip as at least part of the information.

In some embodiments, the test strip has a shape fitted to a cross section of the ventilator.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a positioning component coupled to the communication component and configured to obtain position information of the user, and wherein the communication component is further configured to transmit the position information to the device.

In a second aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask. The mask comprise an apparatus described in the first aspect.

In a third aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of monitoring pathogen infection. The method comprises receiving information concerning a detection of a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing a mask; determining a concentration level of the detected pathogen for the user based on the received information; and presenting an indication of the concentration level to the user.

In some embodiments, determining the concentration level comprises: identifying, from an image included in the received information, a color of a portion of a test strip; and determining the concentration level based on the identified color.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting, to a server associated with the mask, the concentration level and position information of the user; receiving, from the server, risk information indicating a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region where the user is located; and presenting the risk information.

In some embodiments, presenting the risk information comprises: displaying the risk information superimposed on a map of the geographical region.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, from the server, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen; and presenting the warning information.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: storing the concentration level for tracking a change in the concentration level over time.

In a fourth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of monitoring pathogen infection. The method comprises obtaining aggregated information concerning a plurality of users wearing masks, wherein the aggregated information for each of the plurality of users indicates a position of the user and a detected concentration level of a pathogen; determining, based on the aggregated information, a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region; and transmitting risk information indicating the probability to a device associated with a target user located in the geographical region.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the concentration level for a first user exceeds a concentration threshold, identifying the first user as a potential infected user; determining, based on the aggregated information, whether a distance between the first user and a second user at a historical time point is below a threshold distance; and in accordance with a determination that the distance is below the threshold distance, identifying the second user as a risky user.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting, to a device associated with the second user, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen.

In a fifth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device. The electronic device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of the method in the third aspect described above.

In a sixth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device. The electronic device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of the method in the fourth aspect described above.

In a seventh aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods in the third aspect described above.

In an eighth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods in the fourth aspect described above.

In a ninth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method in the third aspect described above. The computer readable medium may be a non-transitory computer readable medium in some embodiments.

In a tenth aspect, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method in the fourth aspect described above. The computer readable medium may be a non-transitory computer readable medium in some embodiments.

Generally, various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of the example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it will be appreciated that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods/processes as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Computer-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but is not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out methods disclosed herein may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a computer, partly on the computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. The program code may be distributed on specially-programmed devices which may be generally referred to herein as “modules” . Software component portions of the modules may be written in any computer language and may be a portion of a monolithic code base, or may be developed in more discrete code portions, such as is typical in object-oriented computer languages. In addition, the modules may be distributed across a plurality of computer platforms, servers, terminals, mobile devices and the like. A given module may even be implemented such that the described functions are performed by separate processors and/or computing hardware platforms.

While operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

An apparatus comprising:

a ventilator adapted to be coupled to a mask;

a monitoring component coupled to the ventilator and configured to:

detect a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing the mask; and

generate information concerning the detection of the pathogen; and

a communication component coupled to the monitoring component and configured to transmit the generated information to a device.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitoring component comprises:

a test strip, wherein a portion of the test strip in contact with the detected pathogen has a color corresponding to a concentration level of the detected pathogen; and

a camera configured to capture an image of the portion of the test strip as at least part of the information.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the test strip has a shape fitted to a cross section of the ventilator.
The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, further comprising:

a positioning component coupled to the communication component and configured to obtain position information of the user, and

wherein the communication component is further configured to transmit the position information to the device.
A mask comprising an apparatus according to any of claims 1-4.
A method of monitoring pathogen infection comprising:

receiving information concerning a detection of a pathogen in substances exhaled by a user wearing a mask;

determining a concentration level of the detected pathogen for the user based on the received information; and

presenting an indication of the concentration level to the user.
The method of claim 6, wherein determining the concentration level comprises:

identifying, from an image included in the received information, a color of a portion of a test strip; and

determining the concentration level based on the identified color.
The method of claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

transmitting, to a server associated with the mask, the concentration level and position information of the user;

receiving, from the server, risk information indicating a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region where the user is located; and

presenting the risk information.
The method of claim 8, wherein presenting the risk information comprises:

displaying the risk information superimposed on a map of the geographical region.
The method of any of claims 8 to 9, further comprising:

receiving, from the server, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen; and

presenting the warning information.
The method of any of claims 6 to 10, further comprising:

storing the concentration level for tracking a change in the concentration level over time.
A method of monitoring pathogen infection comprising:

obtaining aggregated information concerning a plurality of users wearing masks, wherein the aggregated information for each of the plurality of users indicates a position of the user and a detected concentration level of a pathogen;

determining, based on the aggregated information, a probability of contacting an individual potentially infected by the pathogen in a geographical region; and

transmitting risk information indicating the probability to a device associated with a target user located in the geographical region.
The method of claim 12, wherein the aggregated information for each of the plurality of users further indicates a change of the position of the user over time and a change of the concentration level of the detected pathogen over time.
The method of claim 13, further comprising:

in accordance with a determination that the concentration level for a first user exceeds a concentration threshold, identifying the first user as a potential infected user;

determining, based on the aggregated information, whether a distance between the first user and a second user at a historical time point is below a threshold distance; and

in accordance with a determination that the distance is below the threshold distance, identifying the second user as a risky user.
The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting, to a device associated with the second user, warning information indicating a historical contact with an individual potentially infected by the pathogen.
An electronic device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of any one of the methods according to claims 6 to 11.
An electronic device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the steps of any one of the methods according to claims 12 to 15.
A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods according to claims 6 to 11.
A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of the methods according to claims 12 to 15.