Rapid testing mechanism and method for respiratory viral pathogens

Abstract

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. At least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is individuated by the filter material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens, including:
 a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract;   wherein at least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane;   wherein, when the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur:
 when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and 
 when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The rapid testing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the filter material includes multiple layers. 
     
     
         3 . The rapid testing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the sulfated cellulose membrane is positioned between two layers of multiple layers of the filter material. 
     
     
         4 . The rapid testing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the respiratory viral pathogens include ribonucleic acid viruses. 
     
     
         5 . The rapid testing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the filter material is a face mask covering a nose and mouth of a wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The rapid testing mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a housing structure for the filter may be packaged in porous polymeric membrane polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . A method of testing for respiratory viral pathogens, including steps of:
 providing at least a portion of a filter material with a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane;   capturing exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract with the filter material;   indicating, by the filter material, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent reacts; and   indicating, by the filter material, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further including:
 providing the filter material with multiple layers.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the respiratory viral pathogens
 include ribonucleic acid viruses.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including:
 providing a face mask including the filter material configured for covering a nose and mouth of a wearer.   
     
     
         11 . A standalone detection device for respiratory viral pathogens, including:
 a filter material supported by the standalone detection device;   wherein the standalone detection device is configured and positioned for detection of proximate exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal;   wherein at least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent;   wherein, when the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur:
 when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and 
 when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material. 
   
     
     
         12 . The standalone detection device of  claim 11 , wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is heparin sepharose or a sulfated cellulose membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The standalone detection device of  claim 12 , wherein the filter material is impregnated with greater than 0.2 mL of the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. 
     
     
         14 . The standalone detection device of  claim 12 , including a porous sealed packet containing the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. 
     
     
         15 . A standalone detection system for respiratory viral pathogens, including:
 a filter material supported by the standalone detection system;   wherein the standalone detection system is configured and positioned for detection of proximate exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal;   wherein at least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent;   wherein, when the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur:
 when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material using a first color; and 
 when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material using a second color; and 
   a photodetector positioned to detect the first color or the second color and transmit an indication of the positive test or the negative test based on the detected first color or second color.   
     
     
         16 . The standalone detection system of  claim 15 , wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is heparin sepharose or a sulfated cellulose membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The standalone detection system of  claim 16 , wherein the filter material is impregnated with greater than 0.2 mL of the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. 
     
     
         18 . The standalone detection system of  claim 16 , including a porous sealed packet containing the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. 
     
     
         19 . A standalone detection system for respiratory viral pathogens, including:
 a filter material supported by the standalone detection system;   wherein the standalone detection system is configured and positioned for detection of proximate exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal;   wherein at least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is heparin sepharose or a sulfated cellulose membrane;   wherein, when the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur:
 when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material using a first barcode configuration; and 
 when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material using a second barcode configuration; and 
   an optical scanner positioned to detect the first barcode configuration or the second barcode configuration and transmit an indication of the positive test or the negative test based on the first barcode configuration or the second barcode configuration.   
     
     
         20 . The standalone detection device of  claim 19 , wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is heparin sepharose or a sulfated cellulose membrane.