Systems and methods for pathogen detection and response

• US 20080103746A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward, Leuthardt, Eric, Malamud, Mark, Lord, Robert, Levien, Royce, Rinaldo, John, Wood, Lowell
• Application Number:
  US11/900,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103746A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/11
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5302 Apparatus specially adapted for immunological test procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54326 Magnetic particles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/569 for microorganisms, e.g. protozoa, bacteria, viruses
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems that may be used for detection of one or more pathogens and determining one or more agents in response to pathogen detection.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips;

accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained; and

determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips comprises:

processing the one or more samples with the one or more microfluidic chips to facilitate analysis of one or more pathogen indicators associated with the one or more samples.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips comprises:

analyzing one or more pathogen indicators with one or more analysis units that are configured to operably associate with the one or more microfluidic chips.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained comprises:

accepting input associated with one or more parameters related to the individual.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens comprises:

identifying one or more chemical agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of the at least one of the one or more pathogens that are identified.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens comprises:

identifying the one or more agents that are not contraindicated by one or more substances used by the individual.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens comprises:

identifying the one or more agents in response to one or more parameters associated with the individual.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying information associated with the one or more agents.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying an identity of the one or more agents.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying dosage information associated with the one or more agents.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying instructions associated with use of the one or more agents.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying information associated with cost of the one or more agents.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying information associated with insurance coverage related to the one or more agents.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

displaying one or more contraindications associated with the one or more agents.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the identity of one or more agents.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the individual.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals through use of a secure connection.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more pathogens.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with one or more locations of the individual.

2. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

8-9. -9. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

13-14. -14. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

29. A system comprising:

a signal-bearing medium bearing;

one or more instructions for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips;

one or more instructions for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained; and

one or more instructions for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

one or more instructions for displaying information associated with the one or more agents.

31. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

one or more instructions for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a computer-readable medium.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a recordable medium.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a communications medium.

35. A system comprising:

means for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips;

means for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained; and

means for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens responsive to the means for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips and the means for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

means for displaying information associated with the one or more agents.

37. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

means for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents.

38. A system comprising:

circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips;

circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained; and

circuitry for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens responsive to the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips and the circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips comprises:

circuitry for processing the one or more samples with the one or more microfluidic chips to facilitate analysis of one or more pathogen indicators associated with the one or more samples.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips comprises:

circuitry for analyzing one or more pathogen indicators with one or more analysis units that are configured to operably associate with the one or more microfluidic chips.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained comprises:

circuitry for accepting input associated with one or more parameters related to the individual.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens responsive to the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips and the circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained comprises:

circuitry for identifying one or more chemical agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of the at least one of the one or more pathogens that are identified.

47. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens responsive to the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips and the circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained comprises:

circuitry for identifying the one or more agents that are not contraindicated by one or more substances used by the individual.

49. The system of claim 38, wherein the circuitry for determining one or more agents that can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of at least one of the one or more pathogens responsive to the circuitry for identifying one or more pathogens present within one or more samples obtained from an individual through use of one or more microfluidic chips and the circuitry for accepting input associated with the individual from whom the one or more samples were obtained comprises:

circuitry for identifying the one or more agents in response to one or more parameters associated with the individual.

52. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying an identity of the one or more agents.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying dosage information associated with the one or more agents.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying instructions associated with use of the one or more agents.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying information associated with cost of the one or more agents.

57. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying information associated with insurance coverage related to the one or more agents.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the circuitry for displaying information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for displaying one or more contraindications associated with the one or more agents.

59. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the identity of the one or more agents.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the individual.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein the circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for transmitting the one or more signals through use of a secure connection.

63. The system of claim 59, wherein the circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more pathogens.

65. The system of claim 59, wherein the circuitry for transmitting one or more signals that include information associated with the one or more agents comprises:

circuitry for transmitting the one or more signals that include information associated with one or more locations of the individual.

39. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

45-46. -46. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

50-51. -51. (canceled)

64. (canceled)