MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCE TESTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mind-altering substance testing unit. The unit includes a display module for displaying an indication of a drug or alcohol. A sensor module is releasably fastened to the display module and includes sensors for sensing the drug and alcohol. The unit also includes a sample cartridge for receiving a sample and for releasably fastening to the sensor module so that the sensor module can sense the drug. Advantageously, the same testing unit can be used to sense alcohol and the drug avoiding the need for separate testing units.

Claims

1. A mind-altering substance testing unit including: a display module for displaying an indication of a mind-altering substance; a sensor module for releasably fastening to the display module and including a sensor for sensing the mind-altering substance; and a sample cartridge for receiving a sample and for releasably fastening to the sensor module so that the sensor module can sense the mind-altering substance.

2. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a swab including the sample and for fastening to the cartridge.

3. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sample is saliva.

4. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mind-altering substance is a drug, and the sensor module includes a lateral flow sensor.

5. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge is disposable.

6. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge includes an electronic memory for storing information.

7. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the information relates to the age of the cartridge or batch parameters of the cartridge.

8. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the sensor module compensates sensing in accordance with the stored information for improved accuracy.

9. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mind-altering substance is alcohol and the sensor module includes an electro-chemical fuel cell sensor blood alcohol content (BAC).

10. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor module includes a mouthpiece for releasably fastening to the sensor module in place of the sample cartridge.

11. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unit is hand-held.

12. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor is wholly enclosed within the sensor module.

13. A mind-altering substance testing unit including: a display module for displaying an indication of a drug or alcohol; a sensor module for releasably fastening to the display module and including sensors for sensing the drug and alcohol; and a sample cartridge for receiving a sample and for releasably fastening to the sensor module so that the sensor module can sense the drug.

14. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 13, further including a swab including the sample and for fastening to the cartridge, the sample being saliva.

15. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the sensor module includes a mouthpiece for releasably fastening to the sensor module in place of the sample cartridge.

16. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the sensor module includes a lateral flow sensor for sensing the drug and an electro-chemical fuel cell for sensing the alcohol.

17. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the cartridge is disposable.

18. A mind-altering substance testing unit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the cartridge includes an electronic memory for storing information.

19. A mind-altering substance testing unit including: a sample cartridge for receiving a sample and for releasably fastening to a sensor so that the sensor can sense the mind-altering substance.

20. A sample cartridge for a mind-altering substance testing unit, the sample cartridge configured to be releasably fastened to a sensor module so that the sensor module can sense the mind-altering substance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0071] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held random breath test (RBT) unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] FIGS. 2a-2c show a sequence of steps associated with a method of assembling the hand-held RBT unit of FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the hand-held RBT unit of FIG. 1; and

[0074] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of assembling the hand-held RBT unit of FIG. 1; and

[0075] FIG. 5 is a front view of the unit of FIG. 1 with a drug sample cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hand-held random breath test (RBT) unit 2 as shown in FIG. 1. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the modular RBT unit 2 includes a display module 4 for displaying an indication of blood alcohol content (BAC) and a sensor module 6 for releasably fastening to the display module 4. The sensor module 6 includes a BAC sensor for sensing the BAC and can be released from the display module 4 for calibration. The exposed sensor module 6 houses the BAC sensor so that damage to the sensor or the compromising of its calibration is impeded. Accordingly, the integrity of the RBT unit 2 is improved when compared with other RBT units having exposed releasable BAC sensors.

[0077] The BAC sensor is completely contained or encapsulated within the sensor module 6 and cannot be accessed with a finger. The BAC sensor is also fluidically sealed in an air-tight and water-tight manner within the sensor module 6 to impede exposure of the sensor to the elements when the RBT unit 2 is used in the rain or dropped in a puddle, for example. The sensor module 6 can be either reusable, or disposable whereby it includes relatively inexpensive parts when compared with the display module 4. A detailed description of the RBT unit 2 is provided below.

[0078] Turning to FIG. 2, the display module 4 includes a display module housing 8, and the sensor module 6 includes a sensor module housing 10 for housing the sensor. The sensor module housing 10 has a removable mouthpiece attachment 12 with inlet through which a breath sample can be provided. The modules 4, 6 include exposed electrical interfaces 14 which connect when the housings 4,6 are fastened together. With reference to FIG. 2b, the sensor module housing 10 is translated relative to the display module housing 8 when fastening the housings 8, 10 together to connect the electrical interfaces 14. Upon fastening the housings 8, 10 together, the electrical interfaces 14 are no longer exposed and the RBT unit 2 defines a continuous body as shown in FIG. 2c.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 2a, the display module housing 8 defines a docking bay 16 in which the sensor module housing 10 can be slid. The sensor module housing 10 defines a pair of opposed protruding rails 18 for being received within a pair of elongate recesses 20 defined by the display module housing 8. The sensor module housing 10 also defines a threaded fastening hole 22 which can be placed in register with a fastening hole 24 of the display module housing 8. As shown in FIG. 2c, the holes 22, 24 can receive a threaded screw 26 (i.e. fastener) to fasten the housings 8, 10 together.

[0080] Turning to FIG. 3, the electrical interfaces 14 of the display module 4 and sensor module 6 are power and communications interfaces. In addition, the display module 4 further includes another electrical interface 28 through which power is supplied to a battery and charging system 30 and for communications with a personal computer (PC).

[0081] The display module 4 includes display module controller circuitry 32 within the display module housing 8 and that is used to control the display module 4. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 34 is coupled to the display module controller circuitry 32 and displays the indication of BAC in the form of a numeric reading. Turning briefly to FIG. 1, a user interface 36 is also coupled to the display module controller circuitry 32 and enables a user to operate the RBT unit 2.

[0082] Returning to FIG. 3, the display module controller circuitry 32 includes a processor arrangement 36 for executing software in the form of computer readable instructions to operate the display module 4. The display module controller circuitry 32 also includes the exposed display module electrical interface 14 coupled to the processor arrangement 36 and for facilitating powering of and communication with the sensor module 6. The internal battery and charging system 30 is suitable for powering the processor arrangement 36 and charging an internal battery using power supplied through the interface 28. A blue tooth communication transceiver module 38 can be used to download a calibration record stored by the processor arrangement 36 from the RBT unit 2 and can interface with external devices. The display module controller circuitry 32 also includes a global positioning system module 40 for sensing the position of the RBT unit 2 to be stored by the processor arrangement 36 during testing.

[0083] The sensor module 6 includes a processor arrangement 42 for executing software in the form of computer readable instructions to operate the sensor module 6. The processor arrangement 42 includes non-volatile memory for storing a unique identifier in the form of a serial number corresponding to the sensor module 6. Further, the sensor module 6 includes the exposed sensor module electrical interface 14 coupled to the processor arrangement 42 and for facilitating receipt of power from and communication with the display module 4. The internal BAC sensor 44 is an electro-chemical fuel cell sensor for sensing BAC and is coupled to the processor arrangement 42. The sensor module 6 further includes a backup battery 46 for providing auxiliary power to the processor arrangement 42.

[0084] The sensor module 6 further includes known components to facilitate the breath test. In particular, the sensor module 6 includes a pressure sensor 48 for measuring the breath volume delivered to the sensor module 6 during the test and during calibration of the 44. The sensor module 6 further includes a pump and solenoid 50 coupled to the mouthpiece attachment point and inlet 12 through which the breath sample is provided during testing.

[0085] A method 60 of assembling the hand-held random breath test (RBT) unit 2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0086] Initially, the display module 4 and the sensor module 6 are separated as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0087] At step 62, the sensor module 6 is releasably fastened relative to the display module 4. Elaborating further, the sensor module 6 is translated or slid relative to the display module 4 as shown in FIG. 2b. The sensor module 6 is translated so that exposed electrical interfaces 14 of the modules 4, 6 connect and are, in turn, no longer exposed as shown in FIG. 2c. The screw 26 is then received by the modules 4, 6 to impede their separation.

[0088] At step 64, the user interface 36 of the display module 4 is actuated by pressing any actuator.

[0089] At step 66 and responsive to actuating the user interface 36 at step 64, calibration settings of the sensor module 6 are verified with the display module 4. This step of verifying involves comparing stored calibration settings in the processor arrangement 42 of the sensor module 6 with predetermined acceptable limits stored in the processor arrangement 36 of the display module 4. This step of verifying also involves: the display module 4 determining whether the unique identifier stored in the processor arrangement 42 of sensor module 6 is valid; the display module 4 determining whether a model number stored in the processor arrangement 42 of sensor module 6 is valid; and the display module 4 determining whether the firmware of the sensor module 6 is valid.

[0090] At step 68, a calibration record is stored that forms a traceable record which can be used in the event of a legal challenge to the integrity of RBT unit 2. The calibration record is stored in the processor arrangement 36 of the display module 4 and includes: unique serial numbers of both the display module 4 and sensor module 6; firmware version numbers of both the display module 4 and sensor module 6; the date and time of actuating the user interface 36 in step 64, and verification confirmation of calibration settings of the sensor module 6 by the display module 4 performed at step 66.

[0091] At query step 70, the display module 4 polls the user interface 14 to determine when the sensor module 6 is unfastened from the display module 4. If the sensor module 6 is not unfastened from the display module 4, the method 60 remains at step 70 and the RBT unit 2 can operate normally to perform RBTs.

[0092] If the sensor module 6 is unfastened from the display module 4, the method 60 returns to step 62 where the sensor module 6 can be replaced with another sensor module during offsite calibration of the sensor module 6. During this procedure, the threaded fastener 26 is removed and the sensor module 6 is slid from the display module 8 to unfasten the sensor module 6 from the display module 4.

[0093] In conjunction with the method 60 described above, the RBT unit 2 also performs the background steps of:

[0094] monitoring the time elapsed relative to a last calibration date stored in the sensor module; and

[0095] issuing warning notifications to the user on the LCD 34 both immediately prior to and upon the time elapsed exceeding a predetermined non-calibration period.

[0096] In conjunction with the method 60 described above, the RBT unit 2 also performs the background steps of:

[0097] tracking the date and time independently in each module 4, 6; and

[0098] responsive to detecting a difference in the tracked dates or times, setting the date and time of the display module 4 to that of the sensor module 6.

[0099] The assembly and disassembly of the RBT unit 2 described above in relation to method 60 is straightforward and can be readily conducted by police officers without the need for any formal training. In addition, the method 60 can be conducted in poor weather conditions without fear of damaging or affecting calibration of the internal BAC sensor 44.

[0100] Turning to FIG. 5, the hand-held RBT unit 2 is a mind-altering substance testing unit 2 for testing for a drug as well as alcohol. In particular, the mouthpiece 12 of the sensor module 6 can be removed and a drug sample cartridge 100 docked to the sensor module 6 in its place. Advantageously, the same testing unit 2 can be used to sense alcohol and the drug avoiding the need for separate testing units.

[0101] The sample cartridge 100 receives a saliva sample and is releasably fastened to the sensor module 6 so that the sensor module 6 can sense the mind-altering drug. The unit 2 further includes a swab 102 including the saliva sample. The swab 102 is fastened to the cartridge 100 by inserting a sample end 104 in a cartridge sample dock 106.

[0102] The sensor module 6 includes a lateral flow sensor for sensing the drug and wholly enclosed within the sensor module 6. The single-use cartridge 100 is disposable, yet includes an onboard electronic memory for storing information. The stored information relates to the age of the cartridge 100 or batch parameters of the cartridge 100. The sensor module 6 compensates sensing in accordance with the stored information for improved accuracy.

[0103] The display module 4 and sensor module 6 drug functionality is the same as that of the alcohol functionality previously described.

[0104] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[0105] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0106] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.