WATER CONTROLLED CONSUMPTION AND SAMPLING DEVICE

AND METHODS OF USE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a water sampling, testing and filtering device and kit, suitable for (but not limited to) determining whether water in a reservoir is drinkable, and/or determining how much a person is allowed to drink therefrom. In addition, the invention provides means within the device for considering different variables, e.g. surrounding conditions (such as temperature, humidity, etc.) and physical conditions (such as body weight, work load, etc.) for assessing the tolerable drinking amount per a predetermined time intervals, without intoxication or severe side effects.

Background of the Invention

A human being can survive an average of three to five days without drinking water, assuming environmental conditions are favorable (such as sea-level altitude, room-temperature and comfort humidity). However, in other than favorable conditions, e.g. colder or warmer temperatures, or dry weather, the need for water rises. The need for water also increases with exercise.

A typical person loses about two to four liters of water per day under ordinary conditions, and more in hot, dry, or cold weather. Accordingly, a typical person requires four to six liters of water each day in the wilderness to avoid dehydration and to keep the body functioning properly.

There are many known techniques to gather water and rendering it safer for consumption, such as boiling, filtering, using chemicals, solar radiating / heating, and distillation. The most critical logistic element in today's modern combat arenas is the ability to provide troops with fresh drinking water. Food can be packed in small, light, high-energy packages, which can be consumed over weeks, and/or be delivered in various ways, e.g. via air-drops, smart-packages, etc. However, water cannot be compressed, or packed in reduced weight, nor can it be easily delivered by, e.g. air-drop.

Nowadays, the standard classical army vs. army confrontation is almost extinct. Many military confrontations today are held in small units versus unseen enemy, which often use civilian facilities, houses, and population as de-facto guardians and camouflage. In addition, most of the times there is more than just one combat zone: for example, US troops are engaged today in combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, and Yemen. In addition, there are many other peace-time situations and humanitarian missions (e.g. Japan and Haiti) which require small rescue teams operating all alone with no logistical support.

Standard techniques of delivering water are often slow, costly and ineffective. Many times they are also dangerous or even impossible: water convoys are often easy subjects of enemy attack (see e.g. the US army in Afghanistan and Israeli Defense Forces in Lebanon in 2006); or destruction of drinking water infrastructure and blockage of roads due to earthquakes (Haiti) or other catastrophes (e.g. hurricane Katarina in New-Orleans, 2005), makes it impossible to supply water to the population as well as to the rescue units therein.

However, in most populated areas, there are water reservoirs, such as wells, roof-tops reservoirs, boilers, swimming pools, lakes, rivers, bottles, containers, tap water, etc. The problem facing the dehydrated person is whether the water is suitable for drinking or not. Therefore, there is a need to provide troops, (civilians) rescue units, travelers, people in places without water infrastructure, and any other person in need of drinking water, with tools to self-sustain even in hostile environment as long as possible. Enabling access to verified safe drinking water is a key element for this goal.

The key issue when locating a water reservoir is to detect in a fast and simple manner if the water are toxic or not. In addition, there is a need to provide means and devices to filter and/or purify the water, and then consume them in a secure manner. Though look simple in the first glance, consumption is not simply a "go/no go" question, but has different levels and considerations, that should be embedded in the device's operation method.

Each of the foregoing publications is hereby incorporated herein by reference:

US 6,010,626 describes a pump operated small filter, using coal and ceramic filters. The filtration of US 6,010,626 comprises two filter stages, which can, depending on the application, guide the water through one or both filter stages. Also, the activated charcoal filter can selectively be used, thus increasing its life span.

WO 97/06879 relates to portable multi-stage filter unit for purifying water, which can selectively channel the water via different filters, or via different order of filters, thus enabling adapting the filter unit to the quality of the water being purified and to make the charcoal filter last longer. US 4,267,455 refers to a UV purification device. However, US 4,267,455 assumes that the purified water are suitable for consumption and therefore does not address any controlled consumption issues.

Although all the above references relate to filtering or purifying means, they have nothing to do with sampling methods, with testing means and processes, and controlled consumption, in any of the filtering stages, as claimed in the present invention. In addition, no prior art document deals with testing the water quality at any stage, or refer to combination of purification means and activation of such purification means in accordance with the test results.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a personal and/or a group water filtering device or kit, and its components, and methods of use thereof.

It is also within the scope of the invention to address all the steps involved, i.e. from the water acquisition stage, to its final consummation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device providing detailed data regarding the allowed amount of water and the desired time frames of drinking.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable device for advising a user in the field with respect to the usability of tested water, which comprises: i. at least one detection means for detecting contaminants;

ii. sampling means for obtaining a water sample; and iii. analyzing means for:

- determining the type and/or amount of contamination within said water sample; and

- calculating an allowed capacity and rate of water consumption for the device's user based on: user data, environmental conditions, and said determined type and/or amount of contamination.

The present invention also relates to a portable device for advising a user in the field with respect to the usability of tested water, which comprises: i. at least one database which comprises a list of contaminants, and their biological effect(s) on various types of users;

ii. sampling means for obtaining a water sample; and

iii. analyzing means for:

- determining the type and/or amount of contamination within said water sample; and

- calculating an allowed capacity and rate of water consumption for the device's user based on: user data, environmental conditions, said determined type and amount of contamination, and said contaminants data from said database.

The device of the invention may further comprise at least one filtering and/or purifying means, wherein said at least one filtering and/or purifying means may be optionally controlled by the user of the device or by a computer program, in such a manner that based on a pre-testing process of the water for contaminants, only selected filters and/or purifiers are activated.

The present invention further relates to a method for advising a user regarding the usability of tested water, which comprises the steps of:

i. sampling a water source; ii. determining the type and/or amount of contamination within said water sample; and

iii. calculating an allowed capacity and rate of water consumption for the device's user based on: user data, environmental conditions, and said determined type and/or amount of contamination, and optionally said contaminants data from said database.

The method of the invention may further comprise at least one filtering and/or purifying step, which is performed prior to said calculation step. The method of the invention may further comprise at least one additional filtering and/or purifying step, which is performed after said calculation step, and further comprise an additional calculation step, which is performed after said additional filtering and/or purifying step.

In another embodiment, said filtering and/or purifying steps in the method of the invention may be controlled by the user of the device or by a computer program, in such a manner that based on a pre-testing process of the water for contaminants, only selected filters and/or purifiers are activated.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said user data is selected from one or more of the following: age, weight, height, blood pressure, overall physical condition, diseases, and previous and expected physical activities. According to another embodiment of the invention said environmental conditions are selected from one or more of the following: water and surrounding temperatures, atmospheric pressure, humidity, altitude, and wind. According to yet another embodiment of the invention said contamination is selected from: toxins, biological substances, various organisms, chemical substances, radiation, radioactive substances, and nano-particles. Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 illustrate a manual Water Clearness/Transparency device;

- Figure 2 illustrates a configuration of a sample box/container/bag, with a detection chip inside;

- Figure 3 illustrates one possible Smart Tube configuration ;

- Figure 4 illustrates one mechanism to control the length of the Smart Tube;

- Figure 5 represents one possible configuration of a sampling tube having two parallel sampling containers;

Figure 6 illustrates a sampling spike;

- Figure 7 represents one possible configuration of the water controlled consumption device (WCCD) of the invention;

- Figure 8 illustrates a possible user interface indications and instructions, reflecting the methods and parameters described herewith;

- Figures 9-11 show in a flow diagram form possible water processing methods of using the WCCD of the invention;

- Figure 12 shows a schematic view of the components of the WCCD of the invention;

Detailed Description of the Invention

As noted above, the operational conditions under which a need to test water arises, has significant implication regarding the toxicity device design and features, which have been taken into consideration in the device of the invention.

Water sources can differ greatly, and may include e.g. wells and wells- alike, various containers, pipes, rivers, lakes, water reservoirs, large water tanks, and heating boilers. Each water source is exposed to potential water contamination, either deliberately (e.g. poisoning by an enemy, and chemical warfare) or naturally (e.g. rotten pipes, bacteria contamination, dead animals, etc.).

In many cases, water toxicity will result in symptoms similar to food poisoning, i.e. vomiting and diarrhea. Though the person may not die, he will however require medical evacuation or medical treatment, effectively creating a larger burden on the other unit members (if present), as well as on the surrounding logistics units (if present). Moreover, without proper treatment, and constant supply of drinking water, said person would eventually die of dehydration. In addition, under certain conditions, such as under combat, or prolong fasting and advanced dehydration, a person might not be sufficiently clear minded to operate a sophisticated device.

Hence, the invention provides a Water Controlled Consumption Device (hereinafter "WCCD"), and methods of use.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention is a water sampling portable device, which enables rapid analysis of sampled water, and optionally quick filtering when needed.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a portable, small and robust water controlled consumption device, optionally having detachable and replaceable parts, for water sampling acquisition, testing thereof for toxicity and other contaminants, and/or adequacy for drinking, wherein said device may comprise a program and/or algorithm which can translate all available data into an allowed consumption regime of contaminated water, even without specific substance identification.

An embodiment of the invention also relates to a program and/or algorithm which can combine all available data, such as presence of water contaminants and their concentration, water- and surrounding- temperatures, atmospheric pressure, humidity, user's health, user's activities (prior and after), medical exposure considerations, etc., into an allowed consumption regime of contaminated water, even without specific substance identification, wherein said program and/or algorithm is used by the device of the invention, or by any other device for sampling and/or analyzing and/or filtering and/or purifying water.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a method of sampling water and filtering and/or purifying the same, said method uses the device of the invention and optionally the program and/or algorithm of the invention, wherein said method comprises:

i. obtaining a liquid sample;

ii. determining which contaminants are present, if any, and concentration thereof;

iii. determining which filters and/or purifiers should be used, if any; iv. passing the water through the selected filters and/or purifiers; and v. drinking the water,

wherein said method may optionally comprise at least one of the following steps:

- determining whether the sample is water or not;

- obtaining additional data from the surrounding, and/or the user's physical condition;

determining the concentration of contaminants after the filtration and/or purification step;

- calculating the amount of water which is allowed for consumption in a defined time interval; and

informing the user, and optionally other units or users.

Another embodiment of the invention is an "idiot-proof device, which is very simple and requires basic operation and minimal actions, and with clear and basic indications, like whether the tested liquid is indeed water; whether it is toxic or not; etc.

In another embodiment, the device of the invention is capable of marking the location of a tested spot for other nearby units, indicating the time and date of the test and outcome.

It is the intention of this invention to provide a portable, small, robust, low-cost, with detachable and replaceable parts device, referred hereinafter as WCCD. The WCCD may be used by an individual user for personal consumption, or by a group. The WCCD may include all or part of the elements and/or components and/or devices described herein for water sampling acquisition and testing for toxicity and/or other. Such elements may be coupled and/or connected and/or integrated into the WCCD.

The WCCD of the invention is a modular device, in which at least one component can be replaced with other similar and/or different component. Each component of the WCCD, if not integrated into the body of the WCCD, can be disconnected and replaced.

The WCCD of the invention may include at least one type of water filter, which may be positioned in a row layout, i.e. to let the water flow from one filter to another. Said filters may be marked by different colors, to simplify usage and/or maintenance. Said filters may be controlled by the user of the device or by a computer program, in such a manner that based on a pre-testing process of the water for toxicity and/or contaminants, only selected filters are activated. The sequence of the filters activation may also be determined in advance based on the testing results. The sequence of the filters activation may also be determined according to previous tests performed by other devices, and/or by remote control from a central unit or headquarters. The WCCD of the invention may include at least one detection means selected from: toxicity detection means and/or biology contamination detection means and/or chemical substances detection/identification means and/or radiation detection means. Said means may be activated in different stages of the filtering and/or purification process. For example, but not limited to:

- The water may initially be tested to determine whether there is any contamination and type thereof, and/or identification of the actual contaminating substance;

- After the filtering process, an additional test may take place;

- Said test may use all, part, or other detection means;

- After the purification process, if required, an additional test may take place. Said test may use all, part, or other detection means.

The WCCD of the invention may include a screen that can provide indications and/or instructions. In addition, it may include a quantity per time indicator displaying the remaining time per process (for example, per filtering, per testing, per purification, etc.). Said indicator may use changing colors for different processes (for example, blue color for purification process, brown color for filtering, etc.). In addition, said indicator may use blinking light and/or vibration to indicate the end of a process, thus enabling the user to see and/or feel that a process was completed. In a specific embodiment, the blinking light and/or vibration may use specific sequences for each end of stage.

The WCCD of the invention may be composed from a foldable material, such as plastic, cardboard, carton, etc., enabling smaller form-factor volume when packaged, i.e., as it can be folded, the packaged WCCD may be flat, thus easier to carry and fit into the backpack or any other carrier means. Said foldable material may include the filters and/or other elements of the device within the layers of material composing the device. For example, it is the intention of this invention to integrate into the layers composing the WCCD body at lease one of the following: the water tubes (9,17,36); at least one filter; at least one sensor; at least one indicator (3,4,8); at least one purification mean; and at least one add-on mean. The WCCD may also provide indications regarding the recommended mean, the sequence of applied means, etc.

Said at least one purification mean may for example be at least one of UV; IR; RF (27); and/or heating element, and may be in the form of a pill (ion for example) and/or powder. Said means may be applied automatically via the control program, or manually by the user. As the WCCD may include at least one of the above mentioned means in the layers of its body, the body may include a marking on it to show the location and type of mean. Said marking may use different color or symbol. The user may apply a recommended mean by simply pressing the marking on the WCCD body, for example, in one specific embodiment of the invention, ion pills may be released into the filtered water container, by the user, by pressing a collapsible separating membrane in the wall of the water container.

The WCCD of the invention may include at least one add-on mean. Said mean may be medicine; salt(s); mineral(s); vitamin(s); flavor-enhancer(s); or any other required mean. Said mean may be in the form of a pill (antibiotic for example) and/or powder, and/or liquid, and may be applied automatically via the control program, or manually by the user. In addition, the WCCD may provide indications regarding the recommended mean, the sequence of applied means, etc. As the WCCD may include at least one of such means in the layers of its body, the body may include a marking on it to show the location and type of the mean. Said marking may use different color or symbol, and the user may apply a recommended mean by simply pressing the marking on the WCCD body. For example, antibiotic pills may be release into the filtered water container, by the user, by pressing a collapsible separating membrane in the wall of the water container.

The WCCD of the invention may be connected to at least one more WCCD, to combine their abilities. When connecting at least 2 WCCD devices, a control program may conduct a review of the state and/or condition of the various components in each WCCD, and based on this review, the operation process shall be determined.

The WCCD may include a CPU and/or memory and/or any other required hardware to enable the operation of computer programs, such as, but not limited to, GPS, wired communication, wireless communications, instructions, indications, process determination, controlled consumption determination, etc.

The WCCD of the invention may include a communication module. Said module may be wired (i.e. via cable) and/or wireless, wherein said wireless may include short wireless communication means (such as, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, P2P, etc.) and/or long range wireless communication means (such as, but not limited to, cellular communication). The WCCD may optionally include at least one data encryption mean and/or module.

The WCCD may include at least one internal power source, such as, but not limited to, a battery, wherein said battery may be a rechargeable battery. In addition, the WCCD may include a wired connection mean to receive power from other electronic devices, such as, but not limited to, smartphone, PDA, tablets, etc., or include a wireless electricity charging mean (such as the one used to wirelessly charge small electronic devices such as smartphones, by placing them on a charging pad, without any wire connection). Additionally, the WCCD may include a solar panel for immediate energy and for charging a battery.

The WCCD may include a clean water container, which may include at least one one-way in or out outlet. Said outlets may be used to channel the water, or part of, in various stages. For example, a small sample may be taken from the water after purification, to test it again for toxicity. Said container may be composed from transparent material, and visible to the user. Said container may be detachable, in order to be replaced with different sizes of container (for example, when one WCCD is used for more than one user at the same time). Said replaceable container is build in such a manner that the parts inserted and connected to the WCCD are the same (to enable operation of all elements of the WCCD), and the extra size is out of the WCCD. Said container may by coated in the internal parts (wherein the clean water are accumulated) with different means, such as, but not limited to, purification means, add-on means, anti-bacterial elements, etc.

The WCCD of the invention may include a cooling element (26) to cool the sample and/or the filtered water, in all or in part. Said cooling element (26) may be used to cool a sample of the water so it can be tested with a hot-sensitive toxicity detection mean. Said cooling element (26) may be used to cool the water for consumption. Notably, extreme heat conditions (common in third world countries) might rise the sampled water temperature to over 50°C (equivalent to about 122°F), which has to be taken into consideration when analyzing the sample.

The WCCD may include at least one sensor, such as, but not limited to: a water temperature sensor; an atmosphere sensor; a humidity sensor; a pedometer and/or accelerometer and/or gyroscope and/or any other type of movement sensor. Said sensors may be used to collect data regarding the user's activities prior to his usage of the WCCD (for example, a pedometer may be used to gather the distance he walk or ran from the last time the device was used; this data can be later on used as part of the algorithms described in detail hereunder. Said sensor can be used to verify that the device was positioned correctly to enable optimal performance. For example, such gyro sensor can be used to verify that the WCCD is truly positioned vertically, so that gravity can be used to flow the water inside the water tubes of the device. Notably, a vacuum or a pump may also be used to move water in the WCCD.

The WCCD may include a straw, which can be used by the user to punch a hole directly in the clean water container to consume the water.

Table 1 below exemplifies step-by-step analysis of various operational scenarios under combat conditions, and it should be understood that such scenarios may vary under different conditions:

Table 1

1 Night/dark Not to emit light but still - Visible indications in dark to see conditions

- Minimal actions

2 Detecting a liquid Finding a possible water

source source

3 Detecting the liquid Finding the hatch or - Reducing exposure under access point port or other mean to hostile conditions;

gain visibility to the

- Reaching deep places.

liquid and sample

capture

4 Analyzing the water The nature of the water Effects exposure, sampling

source source will effect next method, and consumption later steps on

5 Visual/smell first To get a visual of the - Taking a sample if no visual impressions liquid is possible;

- Use of particle counter to measure clearness (when dark and no good visual available) 6 Capture a sample If water can be tested as Providing a sample capture is, with no sample container in the device's kit capture - better

7 Determine if the No point in waiting if a To have sensor capable of

sample is water at liquid is not water determining if a liquid is water all or not

8 Prepare sample for To prepare sample (filter - Filtering must be done

toxicity test and temperature) automatically when sample is captured;

- Temperature control means;

- Minimal time, if at all (or as part of the test time) to prepare the bio-chip

9 Prepare bio-chip for Verifying that the chip - Indication on chip;

sampling temperature is in

- Providing a sealed controlled approved range

storage environment for each chip

10 If water - run test To text for toxicity Automatic, clear indications (22)

11 Mark results To mark results for Visual means to mark tested others spot for time/date of test and result (safe/ not safe)

12 Analyze results to To enable the user to - To include an algorithm to recommend action consume from the water, calculate allowed exposure to even if toxic, based on the water, based on the test guided consumption results - by quantity and time intervals;

- To include indications mean;

13 Share results To rely data to other - GPS;

units/NBC units/

- Secure communication means command/intelligence

14 Get the water Means to retrieve water - Pump;

from it's container

- Hole making tools

15 Purify water Even if water not toxic, Purification means

always best to purify

from bio-hazards

16 Drink

Table 2 below exemplifies indications of the steps in Table 1 above. All indications can be provided in any type of graphical mean, such as, but not limited to, colors, icons, symbols, text, and/or audio, recorded speech, and/or vibrations, etc. Table 2

Device

- "water clearness is

X%":

- Indications can be

in different color or

on a color bar/range

Go/no-go indication - the liquid is water

- Sample too cold/hot

for biochip;

- Sample is within

the proper temp

range;

- Sample is filtered

- Bio-chip is too hot - discard it;

- Bio-chip too cold - heat it;

- Bio-chip is within the

proper temp range.

- Test in process: time remain;

- Test completed;

- Test failed.

Safe/Not safe to drink.

- Drinking instructions based on test results: for example:

X canteens/ liters per man every X time only; or

- Conduct another test in x time from now;

- Countdown tool to monitor consumption based on instructions.

Show location on map Use of the WCCD of the invention for different purposes and/or for different consumption requirements:

Many devices and techniques are used to analyze substances and drinking water, and most, if not all, are designed to determine if the water is safe for consumption or not. However, parameters may vary for the definition of "safe", as it can move from acute and immediate threat to the person's health, to long-term medical effects. For example, there is a big difference if the tested water is to be used for direct consumption, or for cooking, cleaning, washing, medical treatment, etc. Each type of use has a different implication on the filtering and purification means and methods to be applied.

In addition, the filtering and purification methods applied have by themselves implications regarding the water composites, and this effect should also be considered in the consumption process. For example, some purification methods remove all the salts from the water. However, these salts need to be returned to the water to make them safe for consumption. On the other hand, if the water is used for medical purposes, than maybe extra purification is required.

Therefore, the definition of "safe" is the outcome of relating specific substance(s) concentration to their potential harm. In addition, "harm" is defined by the substance(s) concentration levels, its nature, exposure periods, etc. Accordingly, the detection tools vary to offer different sensitivities, different response time, and different detected substances. In addition, the WCCD of the invention provides an educated drinking regime of the filtered/purified water, based on their purification level, the person's health condition, and the surrounding conditions.

However, decision making is not done in any of the known devices, i.e., all known devices are only analytical/measurement tools. The data is analyzed and addressed by people, who then issue instructions regarding whether it is allowed or not to drink the tested water (i.e. a go/no-go indication). On the other hand, there is a difference between the data gathered by the detection devices of the invention, and the final decisions made based on said data. The decisions are medical by nature, and are not a simple go/no-go indication. This means, that even though a toxic substance can be found in the water, the WCCD of the invention may indicate that water consumption can continue based on medical exposure/consumption restrictions.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention is to provide a program and/or algorithm which can translate all available data (including water contaminants and their concentration, environmental conditions, the user's health and physical burden, and medical exposure consideration) into an acceptable consumption regime of contaminated water. Such an algorithm can consider not only the detection of specific chemicals, but also the classification of toxicants, without specific substance identification.

Such an algorithm can also calculate allowed contaminated water consumption based on consumption time intervals and/or consumption quantity intervals. For example, a user may use any detection device to detect if the water includes toxic chemicals and/or biological contaminants or not. If the answer is positive, the user may avoid drinking the water at all, even if he is in need for it. However, by using the decision making algorithm according to the invention, the toxicity result may be analyzed and drinking instructions may be calculated and presented to the user, for example: "you can drink up to 1 liter every 2.15 hours". In addition, purification instructions can be provided (mostly in the case of biological hazards), e.g., "boil 1 full canteen for no less than 18 minutes". Said algorithm can be integrated in every type of detection device, including the device of the invention, and may include different parameters, based on different substances.

Said algorithm may further take into consideration data regarding water purification filters. For example, it is known that reverse osmosis purification systems have limited time and/or water volume capability. After that, the filters themselves can release toxic chemicals into the water. The method of the invention can be used to reduce or increase the time intervals of consumption, thus enabling longer usage of the filter. This is highly important when logistics is problematic (for example in combat or catastrophe zones), and there is a need to enable better and more efficient use of supply, without risking the health of the user.

Said algorithm may also include environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, etc., when calculating the consumption instructions. Said algorithm may also include parameters such as detected minerals in the tested water, before and/or after purification.

Said algorithm may include parameters such as amount of available drinking water left (not from the tested water source). For example, a user may have one full canteen and an empty one. By calculating the dilution ratio of the contaminated water with the available drinking water, a different consumption ration may result versus a consumption ration based on contaminated water only.

Said algorithm may include medical symptoms indications, based on calculated consumption. For example, a user may receive an alert after a certain time of controlled consumption to be alert for the appearances of specific medical symptoms, and instructions what to do if and when they appear {"If you experience an X symptom, stop drinking from this water source for Y period of time').

Said algorithm may further include data regarding recent physical activity of the user (for example, running climbing, etc.) to take into consideration when calculating the required water consumption. In addition, said algorithm may include data regarding future physical activity of the user (for example, running climbing, etc.) when calculating the required consumption.

The algorithm of the invention may include the medical test results of the user, and may provide instructions to conduct additional medical tests, when to do them, and/or their nature (based on water consumption).

Said algorithm may be used to monitor the state and/or condition of the filters and/or purifiers, to alert when a filter and/or a purifier needs to be replaced or refill. Said algorithm may be used to monitor the state and/or condition of the hazardous substance detection means.

Such a method is especially important for field conditions. For example, today, troops that must consume water from local hostile houses due to limited water supply either consume the water as is, or purify them automatically (against biological threats only) without checking whether it is needed. A detection device that would inform only that the water is not safe will not prevent that.

Therefore, as water is highly critical for outdoor survival, mainly in a very hot environment, a controlled consumption tool must be provided, and not just a device providing a "go/ no-go" answer. The WCCD of the invention may further include a user interface to select a desired application and/or other parameters implemented therein (for example, selection buttons).

It is also within the intention of this invention to cover an electronic device and/or kit and/or system for controlled consumption of contaminated water. Said device (WCCD) may include processor and algorithms (all or in part) as described hereinabove to calculate allowed consumption quantities and/or time intervals of contaminated water.

Said WCCD may include mineral measurement devices or components, and may include environment temperature and/or humidity measurement de vice s/se nsor s .

Said WCCD may share location-based controlled consumption data with at least one other electronic device. For example, a trooper may send his command post and/or a NBC unit the controlled consumption instructions provided by his device.

Said WCCD may include any type of toxicity detection and/or bio-hazards detection and/or chemical substances detection devices or may be connected to such devices, or may communicate with such devices, or may send/receive data from such devices. Although the user may sent the detection results to a relevant decision making entity, in most scenarios this is not applicable, e.g. due to lack of communication or due to the need to keep wireless communication to a minimum (like for troops behind enemy lines). Therefore, it needs to self-maintain as much as possible.

This invention aims to cover toxicity detection and/or bio-hazards detection and/or chemical substances detection devices using controlled consumption algorithms as described here in details, and the methods to use said algorithms to provide indications and/or instructions to the user of such devices.

The WCCD of the invention may include means and/or algorithms and/or computer program and/or decision-making module ("Decision-making Module") to provide a decision-factors matrix. An exemplary example of a possible Decision-making process is illustrated in Figure 8. Examples for the various decision-factors matrixes can be found in the following list. There are obviously more factors that can be introduced, but this invention calls for including at least one or more, in all or in part, of those factors in the decision-making algorithms in the device. In addition, different scoring can be allocated to each factor, and this scoring can change based on the required result and/or based on applied circumstances (for example, for different usability application, time limitation, absence of components, etc.) (hereinafter "Decision-factors"):

Contamination type ;

Contamination concentration level;

- Known Contaminating substances;

- Tested water temperature;

- Desired clean-water usability application (for example, drinking, cooking, washing, etc.);

- Available filtering methods;

- Available purification methods;

- Estimated time to clean 1 liter of water;

Filter and/or purifier condition;

Filter usage life (i.e., the recommended time to use a filter until it needs to be replaced or not used anymore, based on contamination concentrations, contamination types, etc.)

Required add-ons (salts, minerals, medications, etc.);

Recommended controlled consumption per environmental condition and user activity type; Time constrains;

- User medical data;

User activities history before;

- User anticipated activities after; and

Measured environmental conditions.

It is clearly stated that additional parameters can be included in this list.

The WCCD may be connected to a medical monitoring device, wherein said medical device may be used to determine the medical condition of the user before initiating the water process with the WCCD; the condition (such as, but not limited to, body heat, saliva test, blood test, etc.) may be taken into consideration as part of the Decision-factors, and may have influence on the selected process (for example, based on the medical test results, it might be determined that extra minerals or vitamins are required to be added to the clean-water container).

It should be explicitly understood and stated that the problems, solutions and inventions described hereunder and hereabove are relevant, under the required differences, to any sort of applications which utilize any type of chemical substances detection techniques and/or biological substances detection technique and/or radiation detection technique and/or identification of said chemical/biological/radiation substances (hereinafter- "Detection device").

It should also be explicitly stated and understood that the term "Sampling means" refers to any type of application and/or technique and/or technology which is applied to capture liquid of any sort. Said Sampling device may include in addition any type of sample preparation technology and/or device, utilized to prepare the captured sample for the Detection device, e.g. the "Wet spike" and "Wet hook" of the invention. It is also hereby stated that the term "filtering" means removing of at least one material and/or contaminant from water, and includes any type of filter, and/or filtering technique and/or filtering means and/or technology, and may refer to either one or a combination of different filters.

It is also hereby stated that the term "sensor" refers to any type of sensor, biosensor or chemo-sensor, and/or detection technique, or detection means and/or technology, and may refer to either one or a combination of different sensors. Said sensors may be used for example to identify any, or all, of the following parameters: light, temperature, magnetic fields, humidity, pressure, and any other physical aspects of the external environment, motion of an organism, electrical fields, environmental molecules, including toxins, nutrients, and proteins.

It is hereby stated that the term "purification" refers to any type of technology and/or technique and/or methods and/or means that can be used to clean the water to a desired level, based on a selected application. In addition, such applications may differ for drinking, cooking, cleaning, shower, medical needs, pharmacology, chemical needs, industrial applications, etc. In general, the purification methods used include physical processes, e.g. filtration and sedimentation; biological processes, e.g. slow sand filters or activated sludge; chemical processes, e.g. flocculation and chlorination; and electromagnetic radiation, e.g. ultraviolet light (UV). The purification process may reduce, or even completely remove, the concentration of particulate matter including suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi; and a range of dissolved and particulate material.

It is hereby clearly stated that any of the elements (either selectively or together, in all or in parts) described hereunder and hereinabove shall apply to any of the configurations of a Detection device in the articles described herein, even without saying so specifically.

It is hereby clearly stated that any of the elements (either selectively or together, in all or in parts) described herein relating to the sampling device, can be integrated in a detection device, i.e. the sampling device can be integrated in a Detection device and/or coupled and/or connected thereto.

For the convenience of this patent application, water is used as the subject liquid. However, it is explicitly stated that it is within the intention of this invention to cover the sampling of other liquids as well.

The drawing and illustrations provided herewith are meant to use as descriptive tools, and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

The following elements and/or components and/or devices can be integrated and/or coupled and/or connected to the detection device or kit of the invention, in all or in part, each on separately or as a group:

1. A personal unit assigned to each user - not just to medical or NBC personnel;

2. Small form-factor - fits to standard backpack or combat vest ammunition pouch - no need for special cases;

3. Short-range wireless secured communication (e.g. with a soldier personal communication unit) - to use as relay to broadcast the gathered information to, e.g., HQ, rescue center, or any other required unit;

4. GPS included - tagging location as well as time, date, and outcome. It is clearly stated that additional elements can be included in this list. The device and/or sampling unit (see e.g. Figure 7) may include any, or all, of the following:

1. One-click sampling capture, with build-in indication for successful sampling;

2. Automatic sampling preparation and detection process - with clear indication to process stages progress;

3. Color outcome indication, e.g. "green" for drinkable, and "red" for undrinkable;

4. Chemical substances fingerprinting - classification to chemical types;

5. Integrated sensor to determine type of liquid before testing for toxicants (water/not water) - sample capture only upon determination of water;

6. Water clearness/transparency sensor, which can be, but not limited to:

- a particle counter to replace visual testing (clearness of water);

- optical;

- electrical conductivity (= salinity, TDS);

- dissolved oxygen sensor;

- any integration of one or more sensors;

- integrated in the Detection device;

- any type of technique and/or technology and/or device that can measure the visual clearness and/or transparency of the water.

6.1 Water clearness/transparency can be determined by the user, by the process of trying to identify graphical symbols such as text and/or other drawing, deposited/printed on at least one panel/side/wall of the sampling unit, thought the sampled liquid. According to this method, the word "Test" for example may be printed on one side of the sample container/box. If the water is clear— like regular tap water— then the text will be easily visible through the sample (see Figure la). If the water in not clear, for example include mud/algae, oil, or other, than visibility of the text will be reduced, if not diminished at all (see Figure lb).

Said symbols may by from a substance that glows in the dark, when the process is performed in the dark, with no light.

One-click plug-in to the sampling unit;

One-click sampling process;

Time-left status bar;

Process stage status indicator;

Result indication (4) - go/no go;

Auto geo-location tagging - including time and date;

"share" communication button - program to share the measurement results and tagging info with predefined recipients, via a wireless communication (optionally secured) to designated units;

Short range communication;

Quick exchange of detection module - new chip push out used chip. Clear replacement indicator;

Fast cooling system (26) - one press cooling process to bring the sample temperature to the required range (especially important in extremely hot zones) - such as fast release of CO2 on the side of the sampling container (not inside).

Fast heating system (26) - one press heating process to bring the sample temperature to the required range (especially important in extremely cold zones) - such as electric heating coil on the side of the sampling container (not inside).

Temperature control indicators (3,8);

Temperature control means (26), such as, but not limited to, means to cool down the sampled water (e.g. CO2 dispensed in a close chamber attached to the sampling box), and means to heat up the sampled water;

"Wet-Hook™", a smart roller water tube module (see Figures 3-5), comprising: - End tip equipped with the water sensor and weight balancer;

- LED water-resist tip to show tube progress;

- LED color change to reflect water sensor outcome: e.g. "blue" means water, and "yellow" means other;

- LED color blinks to reflect touch with liquid, so that the user will know the tube reached the liquid;

- LED indication on both ends of the tube - so that the user can do the process from a secured location.

- Visible night tube marking for both the tube and length of tube uses;

- Disposable tip components— if needs to be changed;

- Quick roll-back mechanism;

- Can be by pumping (micro automated pump);

- Can be by using sponge-alike material, coating the interim surface of the tube;

- The diameter of the tube, and the location of the seated chip package are determined upon the water under test;

- The "roller" is a "one time use" - disposable;

- It is packaged in a sealed material.

As the distance/depth from the person who needs to test the water, to the water surface may vary greatly (a well can be even 12 meter deep), the length of the tube to be used may also change. Therefore, the Smart Tube (9) includes a device and mechanism to control the length of the tube used (14) with a simple button (15), by moving the chip and/or sampling box along the smart tube (9). Said smart tube (9) may have mark lines (10,11), optionally glowing in the dark, enabling to see the tube (10) and/or to see its length (10).

In a specific embodiment, the WCCD of the invention includes (see Figure 7): data/power/ communication cable (20); water tubes (21); timer/quantity indicator (22); vertical filters (23); horizontal filters (24); power (battery) indicator (25); heating and/or cooling means (26); purification means (e.g. UV, RF, IR) (27); drinking straw (28); water purification means (29); add-ons means sensor (e.g. vitamins, salts, medication) (30); biochips (31, 33); optical sensor (32); temperature sensor (34); filtering net (35); foldable water entry tube (36); and selection buttons (37).

According to another embodiment, the smart tube (9) can have a split exit to at least 2 sub-smart tubes or regular tubes (Figure 5). This can be used to provide sampling to at least 2 different detection means, such as, but not limited to, biological substances detector, as well as chemical toxicant detector. It is important to understand that the sample preparation process for each type of detector may differ, thus creating the need to enable different sample preparation procedures. For example, for biological substances, the process of sample preparation may require to leave certain substances in a certain micron size (viruses, bacteria, etc.), whereas for chemical toxicants the same biological substances might need to be filtered out first. "Wet-Spike™" (Figure 6), a smart fast hole maker into water containers, which addresses conditions in which water source is exposed and hard to get, comprising :

- Hollow-point hardened spike (18) enables penetrating the container, made of any material, such as plastic, wood or still, by stubbing/screwing/drilling into the container (wherein the wall thickness can be over 0.180", or around 0.5 cm);

- Secure seal (16) prevents water from leaking out freely;

- Outside connector (19) enables simple plug-in to spike of different elements, such as a tube that can be inserted therein (17);

- Sampling container; - Small faucet;

- Pump;

- Water flow-through cooling element (26);

- Filtering means;

- Portable purification means;

- Fiber optics;

- The device can be retrieved and reused.

22. Add-on testing modules using same Detection device and/or chips (31- 33) and/or sampling unit, comprising:

- Human fluids sampling;

- A dedicated sampling module to capture human fluids;

- Replaces the "Wet-Hook™" when testing human fluids such as blood and saliva;

- One-click blood capture - as in glucose testing kits;

- One-click plug in to the detection unit;

- Automatic process recognition upon plug-in - the detection units execute human fluids related testing process and sample preparation.

In the sampling unit, the water sample (2) may be treated and transferred to the detection module (e.g. chip (5)) automatically via a smart tube (9). Said sample container/box/bag (1) may include dedicated balancing weights (6), which are used to position the box in such manner that gravity can be used to move the water within the chip. Said unit may also include indicators of the chip temperature range control (3) and the sample box temperature range control (8). Said unit may further include a test result indicator (4)(see Figure 2).

Said sample unit may include vacuum means that by penetrating the vacuum, the water are pumped into the sample box and into the chip. Said chip may include vacuum means, that when penetrated, the water is pumped into the chip.

The present invention also provides different methods of using WCCD. In one such method, the user may place in the WCCD a small liquid sample, which will be tested by the hazardous substances means (either before and/or after filtering); then, based on the tests results, and based on the Decision-factors, a process shall be determined and commenced - either automatically or manually after providing the user with instructions and indications. At the end of the process, a final recommendation regarding the consumption shall be provided.

It another embodiment, the invention provides a method of using the WCCD in which the device is connected to another electronic device, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone, PDA, tablet, or laptop computer. According to this method, the WCCD is controlled and operated via the connected electronic device, and the user is using the electronic device's display mean to access the user interface of the WCCD. According to yet another feature of the method, the algorithms and programs used by the WCCD can be stored and processed, in all or in part, on said electronic device, using the electronic device's processing power, and not the WCCD (for example, connecting the WCCD to an iPhone/iPad/Android phone as a dongle device, and running the controlled consumption algorithms as an application). According to yet another feature of this method, the electronic device may include a Decision-making Module. Figure 9 provides an illustration of such a possible graphical user interface, via an electronic device such as PDA, medial player, hand-held detection device, etc. Examples

The following Table exemplifies the detection threshold of various substances as identified by a toxicity detection means based on genetic- engineered bacteria in the WCCD of the invention:

Nitrosoguanidine 0.05

Nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) 0.05

N-mustard 6.1

Paraquat 0.5

Paraquat dichloride (cation) 0.00025

Parathion 13

Pentachlorophenol 0.008

Phenol 2

Phosdrin 38

Propanol 650

pXylene 200

SDS 0.12

Sodium pentachlorophenate 0.5

Strychnine 5

Thallium sulfate 0.01

Toluene 1250

2, 4, 5-Trichlorophenol 0.4

2, 4, 6-Trichlorophenol 0.2

Triton X-100 0.19

Tween 80 0.3

Xylene 300

Thi list is provided as example only, as other compounds, biological- and radiation- contaminants may be included in this list.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.