Excreta sampling toilet and inline specimen analysis system and method
Inventors
Grego, Sonia • Hawkins, Brian T. • Sellgren, Katelyn L • Stoner, Brian R.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12339200-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
2041-02-19
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Abstract
An excreta sample capture device includes a primary influent pipe that receives influent from a toilet(s) and includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The excreta sample capture device also includes a first valve positioned at the downstream end of the primary influent pipe, and a second valve positioned between the upstream end and the downstream end of the primary influent pipe. In some cases, an excreta sample capture device further includes spray jet positioned above the second valve and a sample extraction vessel located downstream from the second valve. A method of using an excreta sample capture device includes receiving influent in the primary influent pipe, initiating a closing of the first valve, opening the second valve, and capturing a sample of the excreta.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an excreta sample capture device and system that enables the collection and analysis of human excreta, such as feces, directly from toilet flushes without any user handling. The device comprises a primary influent pipe connected to a toilet, a first valve at the downstream end of the pipe, a second valve situated between the upstream and downstream ends, a spray jet above the second valve, an optical imaging sensor or camera, and a sample extraction vessel located downstream of the second valve. A controller operates these components based on instructions stored in associated media.
This invention addresses the problem of underutilization of excreta sampling due to the invasive and disliked nature of current manual collection methods, as well as barriers due to user discomfort and reluctance to track or handle excreta. The device enables fully automated sample capture during normal toilet use, eliminating the need for any manual intervention or handling by users. Analysis of captured samples can provide individualized and community-level health and wellness data.
The automated capture process involves receiving influent from the toilet, closing the first valve, capturing an image of the influent, determining the Bristol scale value of excreta, adjusting the spray jet pressure accordingly, liquifying the excreta, and collecting the sample in the extraction vessel. Sensors such as optical, gas, acoustic, and turbidity can be incorporated for additional analysis and process control. Sample collection can be tuned for specific assay requirements, and may include inline or downstream analysis. The system supports integration with on-site or remote data repositories and laboratory analyses.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes four independent claims with several inventive features relating to apparatus, method, and storage media aspects of the excreta sample capture device.
Automated excreta sampling device with image-based consistency assessment and spray jet liquification
An excreta sample capture device includes: - A primary influent pipe receiving influent from one or more toilets - A first valve at the downstream end of the pipe - A second valve positioned underneath and between the upstream end and downstream end of the primary influent pipe - An optical imaging sensor or camera - A sample extraction vessel downstream of the second valve - A spray jet positioned above the second valve - A controller with stored instructions to: 1. Initiate closing of the first valve 2. Capture an image of the influent 3. Determine the Bristol scale value of excreta from the captured image 4. Adjust the pressure of the spray jet based on the Bristol scale value 5. Liquify excreta using the pressure-adjusted spray jet 6. Collect the liquified excreta sample via the extraction vessel.
Automated excreta sample capture and analysis method including image-driven jet adjustment and sample collection
A method using the excreta sample capture device comprises: 1. Receiving influent in a primary influent pipe 2. Initiating closing of a first valve at the downstream end 3. Capturing an image of the influent via an optical imaging sensor or camera 4. Determining Bristol scale value of excreta from the image 5. Adjusting the pressure of a spray jet based on the Bristol scale value 6. Providing the pressure-adjusted jet of liquid via the spray jet to liquify the excreta 7. Opening the second valve between the upstream and downstream ends 8. Collecting the liquified excreta sample in a vessel downstream of the second valve
Computer-readable storage media with instructions for automated excreta sample capture and analysis
One or more non-transitory storage media have instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the system to: - In response to receiving influent in a primary influent pipe, close a first valve at the downstream end - Capture an image of the influent via an optical imaging sensor or camera - Determine the Bristol scale value of excreta from the image - Adjust the spray jet pressure based on the Bristol scale value - Open the second valve under and between the pipe ends - Provide the pressure-adjusted spray jet to liquify excreta - Collect, via a sample extraction vessel, the liquified excreta sample
In summary, the inventive features focus on automated, image-assisted excreta sample collection, pressure-adjusted liquification using a spray jet based on stool consistency, and integrated sample extraction, supported by both apparatus and method claims as well as software instructions on non-transitory storage media.
Stated Advantages
Provides a way to collect valuable health and wellness information for individuals and populations without requiring any handling of excreta by the user.
Enables automated sample capture simply from flushing a toilet, integrating naturally into normal restroom behavior.
Facilitates individualized and/or community-level data collection for health and well-being analysis.
Automated sample capture supports diagnostic evaluation, monitoring of treatment regimens, and information not typically collected from excreta samples, such as uniform optical imaging and gas detection.
Reduces user reluctance and the burden associated with traditional excreta collection methods.
Smell or odor is not increased by use of the device.
Permits sample collection and quality adjustment to meet assay requirements via controllable spray jet pressure.
Supports onsite and central laboratory workflows for flexible analysis options.
Documented Applications
Analysis of human excreta for health and wellness data for individuals and populations, including gastrointestinal condition diagnosis (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, cancer, Crohn's Disease) and gut microbiota analysis.
Detection of community-level exposure to alcohol, pharmaceuticals, illicit drug use, and environmental pollutants.
Detection of infectious disease outbreaks, including SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Onsite diagnostic analysis or collection and shipment to a central laboratory for further analysis.
Automated and consistent execution of diagnostic assays such as the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for occult blood, protein assays, and microbiome molecular tests.
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