HK1177257A - Nonvisual indication of an unwanted chemical in an ingestible substance - Google Patents

Description

Non-visual indication of unwanted chemicals in ingestible substances

Cross reference to related applications

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/253,048 entitled Methods and Systems for Performing a centralized Test to a centralized presentation of an Unwanted Drug in a beacon, filed 10, 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, in accordance with 35u.s.c. § 119 (e).

Background

The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting and indicating the presence of undesirable substances in ingestible items such as food or beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for non-visually and covertly indicating and detecting the presence of unwanted or undesirable drugs in beverages and/or food products.

Certain drugs, sometimes referred to as "date rape drugs", have been used to facilitate sexual assault in absentless victims. Often, the medication is stolen into the intended victim's beverage or food. This is a relatively easy approach because such drugs typically have little or no evidence of presence, with little or no change in color, detectable odor, or taste of the administered substance that may be perceived by the intended victim. Once taken, the medications often used for this purpose can be debilitating, confusing and/or unconscious for the victim, who often have no memory of what is happening after being taken. Some of these drugs may show more pronounced sedative effects when ingested with alcohol.

When the victim is unconscious or unconscious, the person administering the medication may be sexually offending, stolen, or otherwise harmed.

Some of the drugs used as rape-dating drugs include flunitrazepam (trade name ROHYPNOL, colloquially known as "roofie"), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (or GHB), and ketamine (ketamine). Similarly acting drugs may also be used as rape-killing drugs, such as clonazepam (marketed under the US name KLONOPIN and RIVOTRIL in Mexico), alprazolam (marketed under the name XANAX), and other benzodiazepines, including temazepam (marketed under the name RESTORIL) and midazolam (midazolam).

Currently available testing for such drugs has focused on the manufacture of visual indicators that indicate the presence of the drug. Selected detection methods and systems are described in: (a) U.S. patent nos. 4,992,296, 5,457,054, 6,153,147, 6,703,216, 6,713,306 and 7,238,533, (b) U.S. patent application nos. US2001/0046710, US2003/0026731, US2003/0224474, US2004/0146429, US2007/0065338, US2007/0099300, US2008/0006600, US2008/0102482 and US2009/0196675, (c) PCT patent application No. wo2005/059541, and (d) british patent No.2436362, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The above detection types are characterized in that they comprise a detection means which, when exposed to a liquid, shows a visible colour change if the drug of interest is present in the liquid. See, for example, U.S. patent No.7,238,533, which discloses a color change in a coated nail polish; U.S. patent application publication No.2004/0146429, which discloses a so-called colorimetric indicator embedded in a porous material used as a cocktail napkin, coaster, tray mat, menu, cardboard match, beverage holder, leaflet, coupon, personal kit, or business card; and U.S. patent application publication No.2007/0099300, which discloses a color change on a straw. However, these tests may not be easy to perform blindly, as each test requires visual analysis to determine the test results. Thus, the opportunity for detection may be limited in social situations and in the presence of suspects who have placed unwanted medications in the beverage.

There is a need for a detection system that can verify the presence or absence of a target drug in a food or beverage without visual assessment, and therefore people suspected of doing hands and feet with food or beverage are completely unaware that they are suspected.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, the invention includes a method of non-visual verification comprising selecting an ingestible item, applying a detector to the selected ingestible item, and non-visually indicating the presence or absence of a target substance in the ingestible item.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of non-visual verification comprising selecting an ingestible item, making a detector for non-visual display of the presence or absence of a target substance in the selected ingestible item; the detector is operated and non-visually indicates whether a target substance is present in the ingestible item.

In another embodiment, the invention features a non-visual verification system that includes a non-visual sensing mechanism configured to verify the presence of a target drug in an ingestible item by generating a non-visual indication that is understandable by a user.

In another embodiment, the invention features a non-visual verification device that includes a non-visual sensing component configured to verify the presence of a target drug in an ingestible item by generating a non-visual indication that is understandable by a user.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting a non-visual verification method according to a selected embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart depicting a non-visual verification method in accordance with another selected embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic depiction of a non-visual verification system according to another selected embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention includes systems and methods for performing non-visual tests to determine the presence of a target substance in an ingestible substance. In particular, the present invention includes systems and methods for performing non-visual tests to determine the presence of a target substance in an ingestible item, wherein the target substance can be indicated non-visually and covertly.

One embodiment of the process of the present invention is depicted as flow diagram 10 in fig. 1. The method includes selecting an ingestible item 12; using a detector 14 for the selected ingestible substance; and non-visually indicating whether the target substance 16 is present in the ingestible item.

Another embodiment of the method of the present invention is depicted as flow diagram 18 in fig. 2. The method of fig. 2 includes selecting an ingestible item 20; preparing a detector 22 for non-visually indicating the presence or absence of a target substance in a selected ingestible substance; and operating the detector to non-visually indicate the presence of the target substance 24 in the ingestible item.

The disclosed method may be implemented using a non-visual verification architecture 26, as schematically depicted in FIG. 3. The non-visual verification architecture includes a sensing component 28, and an indicator component 32. The non-visual verification architecture optionally further includes a processor 30, as will be discussed below.

The non-visual verification system may be used to detect one or more specific target substances in an ingestible substance prior to ingestion. The target substance(s) is (are) typically an unwanted or undesirable substance, such as a drug or toxin. More specifically, the target substance may be a substance intended to cause confusion or sedation of the ingester. Selected embodiments of the target substance include, but are not limited to, flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, ketamine, clonazepam, alprazolam, hydroxydiazepam, and midazolam.

The non-visual verification system is typically configured such that the target substance in the ingestible item can be covertly tested. As used herein, a test is performed covertly, and a target substance in an ingestible substance can be tested without alerting bystanders or fellows that the test has been performed, or displaying the test result.

The non-visual verification system includes a sensing component, wherein the selected ingestible item interacts with the system. The sensing component may be as simple as a molecule or array of molecules having one or more binding sites complementary to the target substance such that binding to the target substance produces a non-visual response, directly or indirectly.

The ingestible substance to be tested may be any solid, semi-solid or liquid to be ingested. The ingestible item may also be a food or beverage. In one aspect of the invention, the ingestible substance is a liquid or semi-liquid to facilitate detection of the target substance by chemical or physical interaction. The ingestible items may also include chewing gum, toothpaste, and other substances that may be placed in the mouth but not swallowed.

The non-visual verification system generally includes an indicator member capable of indicating the presence of a selected target substance by a non-visual indication. In one embodiment, the indicator means is directly associated with the sensing means, for example by molecular recognition, wherein binding to the target substance causes a molecular change, producing the desired non-visual indication, for example by a change in taste, smell or mouthfeel.

In one embodiment, the non-visual verification system may be an indicator substance (sensing means) having a selective reactivity with a target substance, producing a compound (indicating means) having a discernible taste in the presence of the target substance. Preferably, the substance reacts with the desired target substance, both selectively and specifically, to avoid false positives. For example, the interaction between the indicator substance and the target substance may be similar to the interaction of a specific binding pair. The indicator substance may be designed such that binding to the target substance induces a molecular rearrangement of the indicator substance, resulting in a significant taste change. Alternatively or in addition, binding to the target substance may trigger the release of one or more small molecules, which may then be detected by taste or smell.

The indicator substance may be utilized by placement in the mouth of a user, or by placing in the mouth of a user a component of the non-visual verification system that includes the indicator substance. Selected embodiments of the indicator substance can produce a bitter or other discernible taste to the user. The indicator substance may comprise more than one constituent element and may correspond to any composition, element, material, reagent or solution, or combination thereof, suitable for producing such a discernible taste or bitter taste upon reaction with the target substance. In one embodiment, the non-visually verification system includes a plurality of indicator substances, each for selectively reacting with one or more target substances to produce a range of individually identifiable tastes. Such multi-target systems can be used to simultaneously detect multiple targets of interest.

If the indicator means is intended to produce a non-visual indication as a taste, the indicator means may be present on a strip of paper, a band of soluble material, a saliva soluble material or a chewing gum type material, which the user may put into his mouth before ingesting the ingestible substance. The substance may also be formulated as a liquid additive packaged in a small container with a dispenser (e.g., dropper/pipette) so that a user can place a drop of the liquid additive into a beverage or onto a food product, respectively.

When the indicator substance formulated to produce a discernible taste or bitterness comes into contact with the target substance, it can be delivered to the user in any suitable form, such as by a pill, a quick-dissolving tablet, or by a liquid solution. The indicator substance may also be-or be impregnated into-any chewable or edible item, similar to a conventional beverage or foodstuff, such as a strip or a piece of chewing gum, mint (breath mint), mint, candy, such as those sold under the federally registered trademark TIC, TAC, etc. Thus, the substance can be used in a manner that does not alert others that the user is detecting the presence of an unwanted drug in the beverage or food. Alternatively, the substance may be added to the beverage or food itself to produce a discernible taste and/or bitterness.

In some embodiments, the test may include the user placing a detector substance into their mouth and then drinking a suspect beverage or eating a suspect food product. The detector substance can provide the user with a pre-selected indicator taste. For example, a user may place a strip of soluble material into their mouth to wet and/or dissolve the strip, thereby releasing the substance. The substance may then coat the inside of the user's mouth or coat a portion thereof, including taste buds, so that the test may be conducted by subsequently sipping, ingesting or tasting a small portion of the suspected beverage or food. The test results are therefore completely concealed by others and known only to the taster.

All of the compositions, materials, and methods disclosed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions, materials, and methods of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions/materials and in the steps and in the sequence of steps of the method described in this disclosure without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the disclosure. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the disclosure.

In another embodiment, the non-visual verification system may be a device comprising a sensing component and an indicating component. In this embodiment, the sensing component may comprise a sample chamber or receptacle (receptacle) into which an ingestible item to be detected may be inserted for detection. Alternatively, the sensing component may be configured to be inserted into an ingestible item, such as a test strip (dipstick), test strip, or capillary tube. In one embodiment, the sensing component may include a removable sample collector configured to be removed from the non-visual verification system for collecting a copy of the ingestible item of interest. The sample collector may then be reattached or reinserted into the non-visual verification system for analysis. Alternatively, the non-visual verification system may include one or more sample processing stages, for example by adding water or other solvent, one or more reagents; and optionally including maceration or mixing to facilitate detection of the target substance.

The sensing component may include any of a variety of chemical sensors, electrochemical sensors, spectrometric sensors, pH sensors, and the like. Highly selective detection can be achieved by using an enzyme that specifically binds to the selected target substance in conjunction with an antibody, and then generating a detectable response by an enzymatic reaction (such as that used in an ELISA assay). The sensing component may include only one type of chemical sensor, or may include multiple chemical sensors to detect more than one target substance.

Alternatively, the sensing component may use one or more microfluidic systems to analyze the target substance in the ingestible item. Microfluidic technology can utilize microfluidic channels on the order of about 100nm to several hundred μm in diameter to process extremely small volumes of analyte. Microfluidic methods include a number of analytical methods, such that microfluidic methods are described as 'lab-on-a-chips'.

If the non-visual verification architecture includes different sensing and indicating components, the non-visual verification architecture may also include a processor 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The processor, which may be one or more chips, transistors, and processing units, is configured to receive data derived from the sensing component, evaluate the sensed data, and trigger the indicator component to generate a suitable non-visual indication.

If the indicating means comprises a physical indicator responsive to a command from the processor, the indicating means may produce any of a number of possible non-visual indications, including olfactory, tactile and audible. For example, the indicator member may be configured to release a suitable scent when a particular target substance is detected. Alternatively, the indicator member may comprise a tactile indicator portion attached to the non-visual verification system or configured for remote use. The tactile indicator may be configured to alert the user, for example, by vibrating, applying a slight shock to the user's skin, or applying localized heating. When used remotely, the tactile indicator may take the form of a patch or an adhesive button that is removably attached to the user's skin, such as under clothing, and then activated by a non-visual verification system. Remote communication between the non-visual verification system and the tactile indicator may be accomplished using radio transmission and other methods. An audible indicator responsive to, for example, a chemical reaction may also be used to indicate the presence of the target substance in the ingestible item by emitting a sound.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (33)

1. A non-visual verification method, comprising:

selecting an ingestible item;

applying a detector to the selected ingestible item;

the non-visual indication of the presence or absence of the target substance in the ingestible item.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said indicating step is a non-visual and covert indication of the presence or absence of the target substance in the ingestible substance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said using step comprises using a taste detector.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said using step comprises using a taste detector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said using step comprises using a tactile detector.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said using step comprises using a tactile detector.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said using step comprises using a smell detector.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said using step comprises using an auditory detector.

9. A non-visual verification method, comprising:

selecting an ingestible item;

preparing a detector to non-visually indicate the presence or absence of the target substance in the selected ingestible substance;

the detector is operated to indicate non-visually whether the target substance is present in the ingestible item.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a detector for non-visually and blindly indicating the presence or absence of the target substance in the selected ingestible substance.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said operating and indicating steps include operating a detector and non-visually and blindly indicating whether the target substance is present in the ingestible item.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a taste detector.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a taste detector.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a tactile detector.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a tactile detector.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a smell detector.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein said preparing step comprises preparing a hearing detector.

18. A non-visual verification system comprising:

a non-visual sensing mechanism configured to verify the presence of the target drug in the ingestible item by generating a non-visual indication that is understandable to the user.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensing mechanism is also constructed to be covert such that a user can limit the indication from being observed by others.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce a taste indication to the user.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce a taste indication to the user.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce a tactile indication to the user.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce a tactile indication to the user.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce an olfactory indication to the user.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensing mechanism is configured to produce an audible indication to a user.

26. A non-visual verification apparatus comprising:

a non-visual sensing component is configured to verify the presence of a target drug in an ingestible item by generating a non-visual indication that can be understood by a user.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said sensing member is also constructed to be concealed so that a user can restrict said indication from being viewed by others.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce a taste indication to the user.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce a taste indication to the user.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce a tactile indication to a user.

31. The device of claim 27, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce a tactile indication to a user.

32. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce an olfactory indication to the user.

33. The device of claim 27, wherein the sensing component is configured to produce an audible indication to a user.