USE OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE REPRESENTATIVE OF A PASSENGER CABIN ON AN AIRCRAFT TO IDENTIFY ALL KNOWN MICROORGANISMS AND NON-DESCRIBED EMERGING PATHOGENS

Abstract

A method for collecting and testing particulates from aircraft air is disclosed. The method includes capturing particulates in at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path with a collector over a period of time, removing the collector from at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for testing, concentrating the collected sample, conducting a test on at least one particulate captured in the collector, relaying a result of the test to a central data center to store the results, and identifying a previously non-described emerging pathogens within the results.

Claims

1. A method for collecting particulates from aircraft air comprising: capturing particulates with an aircraft cabin air with a collector for a period of time; removing the collector from for testing; conducting a test on at least one particulate captured in the collector; relaying a result of the test to a central data center to store the results; and identifying all previously known pathogens and non-described emerging microrganisms within the results.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising aggregating a plurality of tests to develop a pattern of genetic sequences

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an alarm to aggregate a particular type of result. A type of genetic sequence

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the test includes phylogenetic analysis, symptom comparison, or identification of new biological lineages.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating test results to corresponding health authorities.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating test results aggregates to corresponding health authorities.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the test includes a pathogen/contaminant diagnostic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the test includes a chemical or irritant detector.

9. A system for monitoring aircraft air comprising: a collector for collecting particulate samples positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path; at least one of an outflow valve positioned in the outlet flow path downstream from the collector or a HEPA filter positioned in the recirculation flow path downstream from the collector; and a storage unit or database for storing collected samples or analyzed sample materials of previously non-described emerging pathogens within the results.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the collector includes a filter material, buffer-cyclonic current

11. The system of claim 9, the storage unit is at a remote location with respect to the aircraft.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the samples include particles and droplets exhaled from passengers throughout a duration of a flight.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the collector includes an adaptor and a filter material operatively connected to the adaptor.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the database includes DNA and RNA sequences.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the database includes DNA and RNA sequences with previously unassigned identifiers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a method for collecting and analyzing an aircraft air sample.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a method monitoring aircraft air in accordance with the disclosure showing a collector within a cabin of an aircraft is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. The systems and methods described herein can be used to provide multiple options for monitoring aircraft air. The embodiments of the system for monitoring aircraft air of the present disclosure provide a means for testing air in any enclosed space such as inside an aircraft, and allows for the identification and detection of a virus or other contaminant, such as a previously undescribed contaminant.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a method 100 for collecting and testing particulates from aircraft air is disclosed. The method 100 includes capturing 102 particulates in at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path with a collector over a period of time, removing the collector 104 from at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for testing, concentrating the collected sample 106, conducting a test 108 on at least one particulate captured in the collector, relaying a result 110 of the test to a central data center to store the results, and identifying 112 a previously non-described emerging pathogens within the results. The test can includes a pathogen detector, such as a Pathogen/contaminant diagnostic tester, such as a PCR test, something biological that includes RNA or DNA, or a chemical or irritant that is produced by machinery.

[0015] The method 100 also requires include aggregating a plurality of tests from various flight around the world or from a particular destination to develop a pattern of pathogens or irritants. The method can also include receiving an alarm or signal from a central health authority, from a flight operator, or an airport to aggregate a particular type of result and provide a pattern, to predict whether a new strain of a disease is emerging. The test can include doing phylogenetic analysis on the collected samples.

[0016] The method 100 can include communicating the individual test results to corresponding health authorities of a particular country or region or communicating test results aggregates to corresponding health authorities. This communication can be requested by the authorities themselves when cases at a local hospital exceed some threshold. The tests can also be collected and stored without testing, and can then be tested when a specific pattern or pathogen needs to be linked to a disease that is spreading across a particular region. It is also considered that the collected samples can be tested for a new DNA and/or RNA strain that has not been linked to a disease previously.

[0017] A system for monitoring aircraft air and doing the tests described above is also disclosed. The system includes a collector for collecting samples containing particles from the air, positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path, at least one of an outflow valve positioned in the outlet flow path downstream from the collector or a HEPA filter positioned in the recirculation flow path downstream from the collector, a storage unit or database for storing collected samples or analyzed sample materials of previously non-described emerging pathogens within the results. The collectors can be analyzed in various ways, including removing a portion of the collector, scrubbing the collectors to remove the bio sample, or using a buffer containing reagents to capture the sample. Once the samples are collected the samples can be stored within a storage (−20° C.) unit indefinitely until they are required to be tested. The storage unit can be at a remote location with respect to the aircraft, alternatively, the samples can be analyzed, by PCR and sequencing, with the results being stored at a remote database for pattern analysis at a later date.

[0018] The samples can include particles and droplets exhaled from passengers throughout a duration of a flight. The collector can include an adaptor and a filter material operatively connected to the adaptor, buffer-ciclonic, etc. The database can include DNA and RNA sequences corresponding to all known taxa, and more specifically DNA and RNA sequences not corresponding to any of all known pathogens.

[0019] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for air sample data collection system and method with superior properties. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.