SVAS-Secure Ventilation Assist System for Confined Spaces

Air circulation in transportation vehicles is already set to ventilate adequately. However, the potential and fear of cross-contamination between passengers aggravates constraints on the transport system. We propose immediate and long-term solutions by removing and sanitizing the exhaled air from each person securely. This system also senses any pathogen, identifying the source uniquely and unambiguously, enabling prompt attention and infection control. The system can be used to diagnose a variety of present, endemic, and future pathogens. A simple embodiment is presented, with assessment of requirements on an example transport aircraft to install and operate it. Features to detect pathogens, to collect, separate and sanitize water from collected air, may be added. A secondary intake accommodates small children and removes air from lower spaces. Requirements are seen to be moderate and feasible with small modifications to seats of present airliners. Similar systems may be developed for buses, theaters and auditoria among other uses. Modified versions can be used in conference rooms. Extensions to efficient future airliner design are considered.