Excreta-sampling and chilling toilet

An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of health data collection devices, and more specifically to utilizing a toilet to collect excreta for analysis.

BACKGROUND

Health data is collected by healthcare professionals and patients for the purpose of understanding and improving patients' health. It is common for physicians to collect this data in clinics and hospitals; however, when necessary, samples of blood, urine, mucus, feces, etc. are collected and sent to a laboratory for further analysis and data collection.

One problem with data collection is that it can be tedious, requiring a patient's time and the time of his or her physician. When a sample is required to be sent to a laboratory, sample collection can be inconvenient for a patient as he or she may need to travel to give the sample. In addition, fecal samples can be unsanitary and/or repulsive to collect and handle. Another problem is that a sample which is collected at one moment in time may be representative of only that moment. In general, when a patient is out of a care facility, data and/or sample collection may not be as frequent or as regular as would be desired to obtain more comprehensive health data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed that overcomes or improves upon the limitations discussed above. In general, the excreta-sampling toilet includes a sewer isolation valve, a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis.

The general embodiment described above saves time and may be more convenient for patients and physicians, because the solid excreta sample may be collected automatically in the homes and care facilities of the patients. Due to solid excreta samples being automatically processed and stored in containers, patients and physicians need not collect nor handle the samples directly, making the sample collection more sanitary. Patients with excreta-sampling toilets located in their residences may have the added benefit of more frequent and regular excreta samples, resulting in more comprehensive health data. Additionally, the invention described above cools excreta samples so that they can be reliably tested even after relatively long amounts of time.

In one embodiment, an excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a sewer isolation valve, a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl receives excreta, in which liquid excreta is separated from solid excreta. The processing apparatus includes one or more containers. The processing apparatus processes a metered amount of a solid excreta sample and stores the solid excreta sample in one or more of the containers. The chiller chills the solid excreta sample for disposition and analysis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

In some instances, features represented by numerical values, such as dimensions, mass, quantities, and other properties that can be represented numerically, are stated as approximations. Unless otherwise stated, an approximate value means “correct to within 50% of the stated value.” Thus, a length of approximately 1 inch should be read “1 inch+/−0.5 inch.” In the case of temperature, approximately means “correct to within 1° C. of the stated temperature.”

FIG. 1AandFIG. 1Bdepict a cross-sectional side view of an excreta-sampling toilet. Excreta-sampling toilet100includes sewer isolation valve102, bowl104, processing apparatus106, and chiller108. Bowl104receives excreta. Liquid excreta110is separated from solid excreta112in bowl104. Processing apparatus106includes one or more containers114. Processing apparatus106processes a metered amount of solid excreta sample116and stores solid excreta sample116in the one or more containers114. Chiller108chills solid excreta sample116for disposition and analysis. Solid excreta112is moved from bowl104to processing apparatus106. After solid excreta112is processed, it may be metered based on volume or weight into a separate constituent. For purposes of this description, the separate constituent of solid excreta112described above is defined as solid excreta sample116. Any solid excreta112in excess of the metered amount of solid excreta sample116may be removed from processing apparatus106through sewer isolation valve102and into a sewage waste pipe. Similarly, liquid excreta110may be removed from bowl104through pipes or tubes, through sewer isolation valve102, and into the sewage waste pipe to be carried to a waste treatment facility, septic tank, leach field, etc.

In some embodiments, processing apparatus106includes a rotating rack holding containers114which may be coupled to a rotary encoder or other motorized mechanism which automatically rotates the rack when a metered amount of solid excreta sample116is stored in one or more of containers114. In some other embodiments, processing apparatus106includes a magazine holding containers114, which may automatically detach containers114when they are ready with samples and put new containers114in their place.

Solid excreta sample116is stored inside containers114. Any containers114storing solid excreta sample116, from a current or previous disposition of excreta, may be stored at a temperature lower than room temperature (room temperature meaning approximately 21° C. or 73° F.) within chiller108. Chiller108may be powered by any of a variety of means, including batteries, power from a power outlet, solar panels, a biogas recovery system, etc. When excreta is newly deposited in bowl104of toilet100, it may have a temperature that is much higher than that of room temperature due to its origin from a body. Freshly excreted excreta may be vital to any laboratory test conducted, because the excreta may not have changed significantly due to bacterial action. This being said, cooling or chilling excreta such as solid excreta sample116may significantly limit bacterial growth such that solid excreta sample116may be useful for testing in a laboratory.

In some embodiments, for example, chiller108is a refrigerator which maintains an interior temperature of approximately 0° C. A user may use toilet100to deposit excreta in bowl104several times a day. In each instance of disposition of excreta, toilet100may store solid excreta sample116in one or more containers. At some time each day, or at one or more pickup times each week, all solid excreta samples116inside their respective containers114may be taken to a laboratory by a messenger such as the user, an assistant, a health care provider, a courier service, etc. Solid excreta samples116may then be analyzed and any information regarding solid excreta samples116or health of the user may be sent to the user's physician directly, an internet accessible database, the user, a family member or guardian of the user, etc. In cases in which the data is sent to an internet accessible database, the database may be accessed via a peripheral device of the user including a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a personal computer, etc. In cases wherein the data is sent to the user's physician, the physician may subsequently make plans for treatment and/or perform further analysis. In some embodiments, the user is ahomo sapiens. In some other further embodiments, the user is any of a variety of animals including a dog, a cat, a bird, a rodent, a reptile, etc. In these embodiments, a top portion of bowl104may include a grate or slats for the user to be placed on while depositing excreta in bowl104.

In some embodiments, chiller108holds containers114which already have solid excreta samples116. In addition, chiller108may be removable, having a power supply to keep solid excreta samples116cool. In this way, solid excreta samples116may be transported over larger time periods to a laboratory to be analyzed. In some further embodiments, after a first chiller108is removed to be taken to a laboratory with solid excreta samples116inside first chiller108, a second chiller is installed in the place of first chiller108. In yet some other further embodiments, the connections between all chillers108and processing apparatus106may be such that removing and replacing chillers108may take less time than one minute.

In some embodiments, chiller108is a freezer which maintains an interior temperature of −10° C. (14° F.) or less. In some further embodiments, chiller108is a thermoelectric cooler. In some other embodiments, chiller108is an evacuated freezer.

In some embodiments, heat which is pumped from an interior of chiller108may be pumped in part or completely to coils within a toilet seat included in toilet100. In this way, although chiller108may be kept at a low temperature relative to room temperature, the toilet seat of toilet100may be warmed.

In some embodiments, processing apparatus106includes piston118. Piston118may displace solid excreta112within processing apparatus106. Piston118may include a power source such as batteries, connection to a power outlet, solar panels, etc. In some further embodiments, processing apparatus106further includes a cylinder has a closed end. Piston118is positioned inside the cylinder and is oriented coaxial with the cylinder, and its sides are positioned coincident with interior walls of the cylinder. Piston118is positioned such that it may slide along its axis, which is shared with the cylinder, while maintaining a fluid seal. Piston118may exert a force on solid excreta112as piston118slides from one end of the cylinder to another. When piston118pushes solid excreta112against the closed end of the cylinder, solid excreta112may deform until a certain volume of it is extruded into one or more of containers114. The rest of solid excreta112may be forced through valve102and into a sewage waste pipe. In this way, the volume inside containers114may determine the volume of solid excreta sample116.

In some embodiments, processing apparatus106processes solid excreta sample116by chopping, extruding, pulverizing, shearing, smearing or stirring. In some embodiments, for example, processing apparatus106includes one or more blades which may be actuated to chop or stir solid excreta112. In some other embodiments, for example, processing apparatus106includes a macerator which may be actuated to pulverize solid excreta112. In some other embodiments, for example, processing apparatus106includes a straight cutting blade which trims solid excreta112. In some yet other embodiments, for example, processing apparatus106includes a punch and die set which blanks a metered amount of solid excreta sample116from solid excreta112.

In some embodiments, solid excreta sample116is metered by weight. In some of these embodiments, processing apparatus106includes one or more scales. A first scale may be positioned supporting one or more of containers114which will receive solid excreta sample116. A weight difference between empty and partially or completely filled containers114may verify a correct weight of solid excreta sample116to be stored. A second scale may be positioned underneath where solid excreta112may be positioned in processing apparatus106, such that the second scale may verify a least weight of solid excrement112required. If, for example, solid excrement112does not have sufficient mass to meet the required weight, the second scale may send signals to a controller, which is coupled to the second scale. The controller may send a signal to a valve or gate contained within processing apparatus106to close such that no solid excreta may enter any of containers114.

In some embodiments, bowl104includes a means for separating liquid excreta from solid excreta. Solid excreta and liquid excreta may be separated from each other by means of a partition120which separates liquid excreta110from solid excreta112. The partition120may be a moveable partition. The partition120may be connected to a motor and a thermal imaging system which is able to detect and identify solid excreta from liquid excreta and move partition120in order to separate solid excreta from liquid excreta. Additionally, or alternatively, sieve may be used to separate solid excreta from liquid excreta. A user seated on toilet100deposits excreta (solid excreta112and liquid excreta110) into bowl104. Partition120may deflect liquid excreta110toward a front portion of bowl104, and partition120may also deflect solid excreta112toward a back portion of bowl104. Partition120may be positioned such that it is at a midpoint between a user's anus and urethra, for the purpose of separating the user's liquid excreta110from his or her solid excreta112. In some embodiments, the user's anus and urethra are close together. Partition120may extend sufficiently close to the user to facilitate separation of liquid excreta110from solid excreta112.

In some further embodiments, partition120may translate to different positions depending on a position of a seated user. Data indicating the position of the user's anus and urethra may be obtained by any of a variety of means including user input, photo sensors placed inside bowl104, ultrasonic sensors, gas sensors, thermal sensors, force sensors, etc. For example, in some embodiments, a user may be seated on toilet100. Bowl104includes one or more infrared sensors, which collect data about a heat distribution of the user, as seen from inside bowl104. The infrared sensors may collect this data and send it to a controller, which analyzes the data to determine the locations of highest and lowest heat. Based on this information, the controller may send instructions to partition120to move forward, move backward, rotate, and/or change elevation of partition120for optimum positioning.

In some embodiments, toilet100includes one or more thermal sensors which collect heat data from a user. The heat data may then be used to estimate an internal temperature of the user. Heat data may be stored in a database, internal memory of a controller, a peripheral device, etc. for use by the user and/or his or her physician.

In some embodiments, toilet100includes a vacuum assisted flush system. In some other embodiments, toilet100includes a ventilation system for venting gases along with a negative pressure gradient to keep noxious gases from exiting into a room via bowl104.

Sewer isolation valve102may keep sewer gases from entering through piping into any other portion of toilet100. Sewer isolation valve102is any of a variety of isolation valves including pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or electro-hydraulic types. In some embodiments, sewer isolation valve102is a one-way valve with a flapper or disc.

FIG. 2depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith an added diverter valve. Excreta-sampling toilet200includes sewer isolation valve202, bowl204, processing apparatus206, diverter valve220, and chiller208. Processing apparatus206includes one or more containers214. Diverter valve220fluidly communicates with at least one of containers214, bowl204, and sewer isolation valve202. At least one of containers214receives a metered amount of liquid excreta210, via diverter valve220, stored as liquid excreta sample222. When a user deposits liquid excreta210into bowl204, liquid excreta210may be gravitationally accelerated and travel through pipes or tubes to diverter valve220. Diverter valve220may allow a metered volume of liquid excreta sample222to flow into one of containers214. After one of containers214is full of liquid excreta sample222, diverter valve220may allow any remaining liquid excreta210to flow through sewer isolation valve202. Sewer isolation valve202may subsequently allow remaining liquid excreta210to flow into a sewer waste pipe to be disposed of.

FIG. 3depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 2with added sensors. Excreta-sampling toilet300includes processing apparatus306, chiller308, and one or more sensors324. Processing apparatus306includes one or more containers314. The one or more sensors324may be used to analyze solid excreta312and liquid excreta310. For example, in some embodiments, sensors324are sets of capacitive plates which may be positioned around the entrances to containers314. Capacitances between each set of plates may vary with density and conductive properties of solid excreta312or liquid excreta310. The capacitive plates may be coupled to circuitry including a controller. The controller may record the values of the capacitances. In some other embodiments, sensors324may include chemical composition test strips. The test strips may check for pregnancy in a female user by testing liquid excreta310for the presence of a beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG can be detected in urine or blood after implantation, which occurs six to twelve days after fertilization. In some further embodiments, if the test strips included in sensors324test positive for hCG, a controller coupled to sensors324may send a notification via a wireless transceiver to a peripheral device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

In some embodiments, sensors324indicate receipt of solid excreta sample316or liquid excreta sample322into containers314. Sensors324may be any of a variety of sensors including active optical proximity sensors, gas sensors, impedance sensors, load sensors, temperature sensors, or ultrasonic proximity sensors.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bdepict an excreta-sampling toilet utilizing a centrifuge. Toilet400includes bowl404, processing apparatus406, and chiller408. Processing apparatus406includes a centrifuge, one or more containers414, piston418, and piston housing428. The centrifuge includes a centrifugal perforated basket426and a centrifugal motor (not shown). Piston418may start in a downward position, as shown inFIG. 4A, when excrement is deposited into bowl404; this is so that excreta cannot enter containers414prior to processing. The centrifugal motor may subsequently be actuated, which spins basket426. As shown inFIG. 4A, piston housing428is resting on basket426such that friction between piston housing428and basket426causes piston housing428to spin in the same rotational direction as basket426. Due to piston housing428and basket426spinning, the deposited excreta may move toward sides of basket426. Continued spinning of basket426may separate liquid excreta, as it moves through perforations in basket426, from solid excreta, as it cannot pass through the perforations. After the solid and liquid excreta are separated from each other, the liquid excreta may flow into a sewer pipe and piston418may lift to allow solid excreta below it, as shown inFIG. 4B. Subsequently, piston418may press the solid excreta against a bottom portion of processing apparatus406such that a metered amount of the solid excreta sample is pressed into one or more of containers414. As piston418continues to press the solid excreta, any solid excreta in excess of the solid excreta sample may be pushed out of processing apparatus406into the sewer pipe. The solid excreta sample and its one or more containers414may be cooled by chiller408to preserve the solid excreta sample.

FIG. 5depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1with added sealing and labeling mechanisms. Excreta-sampling toilet500includes bowl504, processing apparatus506, and chiller508. Processing apparatus506includes one or more containers514, labeler530, and sealing mechanism532. Labeler530includes labels. When processing apparatus506processes solid excreta sample516, from solid excreta512deposited in bowl504, processing apparatus506may then store solid excreta sample516in one or more containers514. When solid excreta sample516is stored in one of containers514, labeler530may automatically label the corresponding container514and sealing mechanism532may automatically seal the corresponding container514. For example, in some embodiments, labeler530includes partially or completely preprinted labels. Labeler530may place one of the labels on each of containers514when it has solid excreta sample516stored in it. In some further embodiments, labeler530may print a date, a time, a QR code, and/or other information related to solid excreta sample516on a label which may have been placed on one of containers514. For example, in a further embodiment, toilet500includes sensors which may receive user identifying data and a controller which may send commands to labeler530to print a corresponding user's name on a label to be placed on one of containers514. Respective container514may store solid excreta sample516derived from the corresponding user. In some embodiments, processing apparatus506includes sensors, which may be located in chiller508, which detect when solid excreta sample516is received. These may signal labeler530and sealing mechanism532to actuate.

In some embodiments, sealing mechanism532includes any of a variety of plugs including rubber plugs, plastic caps, wax plugs, etc. In some other embodiments, sealing mechanism532includes a heat sealer, wherein containers514are plastic bags which are heat sealable.

FIG. 6depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith an added seat. Toilet600includes bowl604and seat634. Seat634has one or more force sensors636. Seat634may be positioned on bowl604. Force sensors636may be positioned at intervals around seat634such that force concentration information may be gathered. For example, in some other embodiments, bowl604includes partition620, wherein partition620may move automatically depending on stress concentration information about a user seated on seat634. Stress concentration information may indicate a user's position on seat634. In some embodiments, force sensors636may measure a user's weight for tracking purposes, and his or her weight may be stored in a database, internal memory of a controller, a peripheral device, etc.

FIG. 7depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith added controller and transceiver. Excreta-sampling toilet700includes controller738, wireless transceiver740, processing apparatus706, and chiller708. Processing apparatus706includes one or more containers714. Controller738may store and send instructions to processing apparatus706to direct it to actuate and to change its processes and settings at different times. For example, in some embodiments, toilet700includes sensors for analyzing liquid and solid excreta. One of the sensors may detect hGC (described above) in liquid excreta deposited by a user. Controller738may store instructions to only check for hGC at certain times of day or for specific users. Controller738may receive instructions via transceiver740from a peripheral device of a user or her physician. This may save power, time, and resources, such as chemical test strips, when the sensor is instructed not to actuate or test for hGC. This may similarly be done with other sensors. In some further embodiments, the one or more sensors include chemical test strips.

In some embodiments, processing apparatus706includes sensors which may send signals to controller738when a solid excreta sample is received by one of containers714. Controller738may send instructions via transceiver740to a courier service and a laboratory technician to alert them that the sample is ready to be retrieved and tested.

FIG. 8depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith an added dryer. Excreta-sampling toilet800includes processing apparatus806, bowl804, and chiller808. Processing apparatus806includes one or more containers814and dryer842. Bowl804receives excreta, wherein solid excreta812is separated from liquid excreta810. Processing apparatus806receives solid excreta812. Dryer842removes further undesired liquid excreta810from solid excreta812and may dispose of undesired liquid excreta810in a sewage pipe. In some embodiments, dryer842includes a permeable membrane. Processing apparatus806may apply pressure against solid excreta812, pressing it up against the permeable membrane, so that the permeable membrane may remove excess moisture. In some other embodiments, dryer842includes a centrifuge which spins solid excreta812to remove excess moisture. In some other embodiments, dryer842includes a vacuum system positioned partially or completely inside chiller808. The vacuum system may evacuate a space containing solid excreta812within processing apparatus806while chiller808freezes solid excreta812simultaneously. When solid excreta812is frozen, with the vacuum system still actuated, solid excreta812may be allowed to warm up. While it warms, solid excreta812may release moisture into the evacuated space. The vacuum system may remove the additional moisture. In this way, dryer842may “freeze dry” solid excreta812, and processing apparatus806may subsequently process a metered amount of a solid excreta sample and store it in one or more of containers814.

FIG. 9depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith added light transmitters and receivers. Excreta-sampling toilet900includes bowl904, processing apparatus906, one or more light transmitters944, and one or more light receivers946. Bowl904receives excreta, wherein liquid excreta910is separated from solid excreta912. Light transmitters944may emit wavelengths of light that partially sanitize and impede bacterial growth, such as ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma wavelengths of light. Light receivers946may meter bacterial growth by receiving light wavelengths corresponding to light emitted from a chemical reaction with adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that may be found in and around living cells, and it may give a direct measure of biological concentration. ATP may be quantified by measuring light produced through its reaction with a naturally occurring firefly enzyme, luciferase, using light receivers946. An amount of light produced may be directly proportional to an amount of ATP present. In some embodiments, an amount of bacterial growth detected via light receivers946may be directly proportional to an intensity of light emitted by light transmitters944to further impede bacterial growth. In some other embodiments, toilet900includes a light emitter which is coupled to light transmitters944, wherein light transmitters944are optical fiber cables. In some embodiments, luciferase is injected into toilet900in order to measure light produced through its reaction with ATP.

FIG. 10depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1Awith added cleaning solution sprayer. Excreta-sampling toilet1000includes sewer isolation valve1002, bowl1004, processing apparatus1006, and cleaning sprayer1048. Toilet1000may need to be sanitized regularly in order to collect good samples of solid excreta1012and liquid excreta1010. Cleaning sprayer1048injects a super-heated cleaning solution to clean toilet1000. In the depicted embodiment, cleaning sprayer1048includes multiple nozzles1050. Nozzles1050may be positioned on interior walls of bowl1004and processing apparatus1006. When actuated, cleaning sprayer1048injects the super-heated cleaning solution via nozzles1050. After toilet1000is sufficiently cleaned, any remaining cleaning solution which has not already exited toilet1000via sewer isolation valve1002into a sewage waste pipe is removed from the system by any of a variety of means including a vacuum, a desiccating agent, a heated or non-heated air pump, or a rinse of heated potable water via nozzles1050.

In some embodiments, nozzles1050are rotary nozzles such that every surface within bowl1004and processing apparatus1006may be impinged upon with cleaning solution. In some embodiments, toilet1000includes a lid which covers bowl1004such that no cleaning solution may exit toilet1000while cleaning sprayer1048may be cleaning it.

In some other embodiments, sewer isolation valve1002remains closed while toilet1000is being cleaned, and sewer isolation valve1002may open afterwards. In some further embodiments, when sewer isolation valve1002opens, fluids containing cleaning solution, solid excreta1012, and liquid excreta1010within toilet1000may empty through sewer isolation valve1002. The draining of this fluid all at once may result in siphon action.