System and method for detecting pathogens in an environment

Abstract

One variation of a method for detecting pathogens in an environment includes, during a first sampling period: triggering collection of a pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment by an air sampler; and tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection subsystem integrated within the air sampler, the first organic load representative of a first amount of organic matter present in the first pathogen sample. In response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment, the method further includes: interpreting presence of a set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and, in response to detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample, transmitting a notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment to a user associated with the environment.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting pathogens in an environment comprising:
 during a first sampling period of a target duration:
 triggering collection of a first pathogen sample by an air sampler located in the environment and configured to draw ambient air from the environment through an inlet of the air sampler and onto a sampling medium within the air sampler for collection of pathogen samples; and 
 tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a first detection module integrated within the air sampler and configured to detect organic matter present in pathogen samples; and 
   in response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment:
 flagging the first pathogen sample for further investigation; 
 triggering activation of a second detection module, within the air sampler, configured to detect presence of the set of pathogens in the first pathogen sample via genetic analysis; 
 accessing a set of pathogen data comprising results of genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample via the second detection module; 
 interpreting presence of the set of pathogens in the environment during the first sampling period based on the set of pathogen data; and 
 based on detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample:
 generating a first notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment; and 
 transmitting the first notification to a set of users associated with the environment. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for detecting pathogens in an environment comprising:
 during a first sampling period of a first target duration:
 triggering collection of a first pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment at an air sampler configured to draw ambient air from the environment, through an inlet of the air sampler, and onto a sampling medium loaded in the air sampler for collection of pathogen samples; 
 tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection module integrated within the air sampler; and 
 in response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment prior to expiration of the first target duration:
 terminating the first sampling period; and 
 detecting presence of a first pathogen, in a set of pathogens, in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and 
 
   during a second sampling period succeeding the first sampling period and of a second target duration:
 in response to detecting presence of the first pathogen in the environment during the first sampling period, triggering collection of a second pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment at the air sampler; 
 tracking a second organic load of the second pathogen sample; 
 in response to the second organic load remaining below the threshold organic load prior to expiration of the second target duration, continuing to trigger collection of the second pathogen sample; and 
 in response to expiration of the second target duration:
 terminating the second sampling period; and 
 interpreting presence of the set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the second pathogen sample.