SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

• US 20110144515A1
• Filed: 02/16/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Jones, Mark Lehi, Hendry, Robert James, Bayer, Charlene Warres
• Application Number:
  US12/867,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144515A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0871 Peak expiratory flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath

Abstract

The present invention describes systems and methods for providing portable environment monitoring systems. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable environment monitoring system comprising a sensor enabled to sense an airborne analyte. The portable environment monitoring system also includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor and enabled to process information received from the sensor. Additionally, the portable environment monitoring system includes a memory device in communication with the microprocessor and enabled to store information received from the microprocessor. Furthermore, a user is enabled to ambulate with the portable environment monitoring system.

Claims

1. A portable environment monitoring system comprising:

a sensor enabled to sense an airborne analyte;

a respiratory monitoring device;

a microprocessor in communication with the sensor and enabled to process information received from the sensor and information received from the respiratory monitoring device;

a memory device in communication with the microprocessor and enabled to store information received from the microprocessor; and

wherein a user is enabled to ambulate with the system.

3. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the respiratory monitoring device is enabled to provide data regarding a pulmonary function of the user.

4. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the respiratory monitoring device is enabled to identify a reduction in the pulmonary function of the user.

5. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor, the microprocessor, and the memory device are contained within a housing and, together with the housing, have a total specific weight of less than five pounds.

8. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a volatile organic compound sensor.

9. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 8, further comprising a carbon dioxide sensor, nitrogen dioxide sensor, an ozone sensor, and a formaldehyde sensor.

2. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the housing containing the sensor, the microprocessor, and the memory device has a specific total weight of less than one pound.

10. A method for determining a respiratory deficiency trigger comprising:

providing a user with a portable environment monitoring system comprising a sensor, a microprocessor, a memory device, and a respiratory monitoring device;

collecting a plurality of data from the sensor and the respiratory monitoring device with the user in a plurality of environments;

analyzing the plurality of data received from the sensor and the respiratory monitoring device; and

determining whether a relationship exists between the exposure of the user to an airborne analyte and a deficient pulmonary function by the user.

11. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 10, wherein the user is enabled to ambulate with the portable environment monitoring system.

12. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 10, wherein the deficient pulmonary function by the user corresponds to asthmatic reaction.

13. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 12, further comprising establishing an asthmatic trigger based on the determination of the relationship between the exposure of the user to the airborne analyte and the deficient pulmonary function by the user.

14. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 10, wherein the collecting of a plurality of data from the sensor is automatically performed by the portable environment monitoring system.

15. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 14, wherein the collecting of the plurality of data from the sensor is done at regular intervals.

16. The method for determining an asthmatic trigger of claim 15, wherein the analyzing of the plurality of data from the sensor is executed by an external computer independent of the portable environment monitoring system.

17. A portable environment monitoring system comprising:

a garment enabled to be worn by a user comprising,

a sensor enabled to sense an airborne analyte;

a respiratory monitoring device;

a microprocessor in communication with the sensor and enabled to process information received from the sensor and information received from the respiratory monitoring device;

a memory device in communication with the microprocessor and enabled to store information received from the microprocessor; and

wherein a user is enabled to ambulate while wearing the garment.

19. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the respiratory monitoring device is enabled to provide data regarding a pulmonary function of the user.

20. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the sensor is a volatile organic compound sensor.

21. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 20, further comprising a carbon dioxide sensor, nitrogen dioxide sensor, an ozone sensor, and a formaldehyde sensor.

22. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the sensors, the microprocessor, and the memory device are contained within a housing.

23. The portable environment monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the housing containing the sensors, the microprocessor, and the memory device has a specific total weight of less than two pounds.

18. (canceled)