Excreta sampling toilet and inline specimen analysis system and method

A method of using an excreta sample capture device, comprising:

• receiving influent in a primary influent pipe;
• initiating a closing of a first valve positioned at a downstream end of the primary influent pipe;
• capturing, via an optical imaging sensor or camera, an image of the influent;
• determining, from the captured image of the influent, a Bristol scale value of excreta within the influent;
• adjusting, based on the determined Bristol scale value of the excreta within the influent, a pressure of a jet of liquid provided via a spray jet positioned above a second valve;
• providing, via the spray jet, the pressure adjusted jet of liquid across the excreta within the influent to cause liquification of at least some of that excreta;
• opening the second valve positioned underneath and between an upstream end of the primary influent pipe and the downstream end of the primary influent pipe;
• and
• collecting, via a sample extraction vessel positioned downstream of the second valve, a sample of the excreta that is liquified by the pressure adjusted jet of liquid.

One or more storage media having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a controller, direct the controller to at least:

• in response to receiving influent in a primary influent pipe, close a first valve positioned at a downstream end of the primary influent pipe;
• capture, via an optical imaging sensor or a camera, an image of the influent;
• determine, from the captured image of the influent, a Bristol scale value of excreta within the influent;
• adjust, based on the determined Bristol scale value of the excreta within the influent, a pressure of a jet of liquid provided via a spray jet positioned above a second valve;
• open the second valve positioned underneath and between an upstream end of the primary influent pipe and the downstream end of the primary influent pipe;
• provide, via the spray jet positioned above the second valve, the pressure adjusted jet of liquid across the excreta within the influent to cause liquification of at least some of that excreta;
• and
• collect, via a sample extraction vessel located downstream from the second valve, a sample of the excreta that is liquified by the pressure adjusted jet of liquid.