MesoSystems Technology, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120122074 | MAIL SCREENING TO DETECT MAIL CONTAMINATED WITH BIOLOGICAL HARMFUL SUBSTANCES - A multi-tier approach for use in a mailroom for detecting bio-threats conveyed by mail. In a first tier procedure, mail entering the mailroom is continuously automatically screened at a mail screening station to detect a potential bio-threat contamination. If a potential bio-threat is detected, an alarm signal is generated, a sample of the potential bio-threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific bio-threats in the sample. If a specific bio-threat is found, appropriate steps are taken to limit spread of the bio-threat and exposure of personnel. A third tier procedure uses a manual assay to check for a specific toxin in background samples collected over a predefined time interval at each mail screening station and in the air handling system for the mailroom. | 05-17-2012 |
20110314937 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE OPTICAL DETECTION OF AEROSOLS - A detector for optically detecting biological aerosols in a sample volume using non-imaging optical components (NIOCs) includes a light source configured to stimulate bio-fluorescence of tryptophan or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In at least one embodiment, a sample volume and each non-imaging optical component are defined by surface features in each of a first monolithic structure and a second monolithic structure, when the first monolithic structure and the second monolithic structure are disposed in a facing relationship. In at least one embodiment, each NIOC comprises a compound parabolic collector. To facilitate volume production, the monolithic structures can be molded. Preferably, the sample is a volume of a gaseous fluid, such as air. | 12-29-2011 |
20100255560 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING VIABLE BIOLOGICAL PARTICLES OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME - Method and apparatus for acquiring a sample of viable biological particles from ambient air, and maintaining the collected viable biological particles at temperature and humidity conditions selected to maintain the viability of the collected viable biological particles. In at least one embodiment, spent collection surfaces are stored in a magazine, and the temperature and humidity conditions in the magazine are controlled. In at least one embodiment, viable biological particles are extracted from ambient air using a particle collector contained in a housing, and the temperature and humidity conditions in the housing are controlled. In at least one embodiment, the temperature and humidity of ambient air entering a particle collector are manipulated to levels selected to maintain the viability of collected particles. | 10-07-2010 |
20100242632 | AIR SAMPLER BASED ON VIRTUAL IMPACTION AND ACTUAL IMPACTION - Particles are removed from a fluid stream, such as air, and are deposited on one or more collection surfaces. A pre-filter can be employed to reject oversized particles and contaminants, such as rain and insects. A concentrator is employed to increase a concentration of particles larger than a pre-defined particle size in at least a portion of the fluid, producing a concentrated volume of fluid. The concentrator and pre-filter can, for example, be virtual impactors. The concentrated volume of fluid/air is directed to the collection surface(s), where particles in the concentrated volume of air are deposited. In at least one embodiment, the collection surface is a bed of beads, reducing loss of particles that might occur due to particles bouncing from a single collection surface. A sampling component removes a portion of the deposited particles to generate a sample, which is analyzed by an analytical component. | 09-30-2010 |
20100225918 | PORTABLE DIESEL PARTICULATE MONITOR - A diesel particulate matter (DPM) monitor that can be worn, attached to a particular location or piece of equipment, and collects real-time data about DPM levels. In an exemplary embodiment, ambient air is drawn by a flow-controlled diaphragm pump through a particle size selector which only passes submicron particles. These particles are collected on an optically transparent filter. A laser illuminates the filter and the transmittance of the laser beam is measured in real-time by a photo detector. As DPM accumulates on the filter, the laser transmittance decreases. The instrument is calibrated to convert this decrease in transmittance to a real-time concentration of elemental carbon in the air. | 09-09-2010 |