Method for preventing infection by a virus

• US 10,045,742 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2016
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nohands, LLC, Seed Health, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nohands, LLC
• Inventors: Kovarik, Katherine Rose, Kovarik, Joseph E., Zarouri, Mourad
• Primary Examiner(s): Downey, John R
• Assistant Examiner(s): JIAN, SHIRLEY XUEYING
• Application Number:
  US15/195,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20160302739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0038 Devices for taking faeces samples; Faecal examination devices anal receptacles A61F5/451
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0257 Proximity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0026 characterised by the transmission medium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15 Devices for taking samples of blood hypodermic syringes A61M5/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 : Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0003 : Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/075 : Adenoviridae
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2469/20 : Detection of antibodies in sample from host which are directed against antigens from microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/044 : Hyperlipemia or hypolipemia, e.g. dyslipidaemia, obesity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56983 : Viruses

Abstract

A method for preventing infection by a virus includes obtaining a sample from a person, assaying the sample to determine whether the person has been previously infected with a predetermined virus, and if the person has not been previously infected with the virus, providing the person with a sensor positioned to detect when a person'"'"'s hand approaches a predetermined distance from the person'"'"'s face. By warning the person of undesired hand-to-face contacts, the person is able to reduce the incidence of related viral infections.

Claims

1. A kit for preventing infection by a virus, comprising:

a container for assaying an agent indicating the presence of antibodies to a predetermined virus, said agent present in a biological sample selected from the group consisting of a body fluid, feces, blood, and saliva, at least one sensor positioned near a person'"'"'s face;

a signal generating device that employs a signal operatively associated with said at least one sensor;

a semiconductor device programmed to select one of a plurality of predetermined distances of proximity so that a person'"'"'s hand triggers the signal generating device to warn a person that their hand is in the proximity of their face; and

a transmitter for communicating from the sensor to a recording device the occurrence of said signal, said recording device recording the occurrence of said signal to indicate the number of hand-to-face contacts by said person, thereby reducing the risk that virus related infections will be acquired by said person.

2. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is focused to achieve directional sensing.

3. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor includes two spaced sensors.

4. The kit as set forth in claim 1, whereby said semiconductor device is adapted to monitor movement of a hand of a person within at least 12 inches from the face of the person.

5. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said agent indicating the presence of antibodies to a predetermined virus detects the presence of an antibody to said virus in the biological sample from the person, and wherein the kit comprises a receptacle for containing the biological sample from the person;

and instructions for using the agent to detect the presence of the antibody-to the predetermined virus in the biological sample.

6. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal generating device is adjustable with respect to one or more of the following:

duration of signal and intensity of signal.

7. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is incorporated into one of a writing instrument, a shirt collar, a button, a collar stay, and a closure mechanism for clothing.

8. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor has one of an IR emitter, an IR receiver, a signal generating device, and a semiconductor device programmed to select a predetermined distance of proximity.

9. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biological sample is feces.

10. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biological sample is saliva.

11. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal generating device is adjustable with respect to an intensity of the signal.

12. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of feces and saliva.

13. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein either immunoanalytical or nucleic-acid based techniques are employed to detect the presence of the predetermined virus.

14. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal operatively associated with said at least one sensor produces a signal consisting of an electric shock.

15. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal operatively associated with said at least one sensor produces a signal selected from the group consisting of a sound, light and an electric shock.

16. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal operatively associated with said at least one sensor produces a signal selected from the group consisting of a sound and light.

17. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is incorporated into a button.

18. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said recording device comprises a cell phone.

19. The kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is incorporated into one of a shirt collar, a button and a collar stay.

20. A kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is incorporated into one of a bill of a baseball cap, eye glasses, a button and a collar stay.

21. A kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is incorporated into a bill of a baseball cap.