Graph database for outbreak tracking and management
Inventors
Randall, Paul • Smith, Ian • Haynes, Jonathan • Wilkinson, Sam
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12712085-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A graph database for outbreak tracking and management is disclosed. In an example embodiment, an outbreak management system includes a memory device storing instructions that define a graph database for disease outbreak tracking. The instructions specify for a given host that a host node is created and an episode node is connected to the host node via a ‘case’ link. The episode node is associated with episode parameters that are related to a disease classification of the host. In addition, the instructions specify that an outbreak node is connected to the episode node via a ‘part of’ link to indicate that the host has become part of an outbreak of the disease. The outbreak node is connected to a definition node via a ‘defined as’ link. The definition node specifies disease parameters of the disease for outbreak tracking.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an outbreak management apparatus with an outbreak tracking graph database for a disease. The database links an outbreak node to a definition node specifying disease parameters, an episode node indicating an occurrence of the disease, and a host node representing a patient associated with the outbreak when patient data matches at least some disease parameters. Stay and location nodes record where and when a host was present.
The apparatus uses location data and the graph database to determine other patients who were within proximity of a particular location during a date and/or time, and displays information indicative of those potential hosts. A further configuration creates stay nodes and a separate location node and displays the patient's particular locations and corresponding dates and/or times. The problem solved is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are claims 1 and 12, reciting an outbreak management apparatus comprising two inventive features.
Identification of potential hosts by location and time
Claim 1 recites an outbreak tracking graph database linking disease parameters, an outbreak, an episode, and a host node, receiving or determining location data, creating a stay node linked to the host node and a location node linked to the stay node, determining other patients who were within proximity of the particular location during the specified date and/or time using the database, and displaying information indicative of those potential hosts.
Display of a patient's locations and times of presence
Claim 12 recites an outbreak tracking graph database linking disease parameters, an outbreak, an episode, and a host node, creating stay nodes linked to the host node and a separate location node linked to each stay node, and displaying information indicative of the particular locations and the dates and/or times that the patient was at those locations.
The independent claims cover a graph-based representation of outbreaks, disease episodes, hosts, stays, and locations to identify and display potential hosts or display location histories.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Outbreak management using an outbreak tracking graph database to represent disease outbreaks, episodes, hosts, stays, and locations.
Identifying and displaying other patients who may have been within proximity of a particular location during a specified date and/or time.
Displaying a patient's particular locations and the dates and/or times the patient was present at those locations.
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