| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 073863220 | Particle impact | 29 |
| 20080295616 | Multi-stage horizontal elutriator - A multi-stage horizontal elutriator includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet, a hollow container that is disposed between said flow inlet and said flow outlet. This hollow container has a guide-in portion, a first parallel plates set, a second parallel plates set, and a guide-out portion. The first plates set is different to the second plates set. So, the aerosol's falling distance can be shortened significantly. The relative culturable ratio and the survival efficiency for bioaerosols are both high. The structure is simple with low cost. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090078062 | AUTOMATED CASCADE IMPACTOR - An automated cascade impactor comprises an extension mechanism operable to couple to a plurality of impactor stages. The extension mechanism is operable to compress and separate impactor stages of the plurality of impactor stages via automation. The system provides a plurality of isolation stages operable to be automatically inserted between respective impactor stages when the impactor stages are separated by the extension mechanism. The system provides the plurality of isolation stages to be automatically compressed between impactor stages to isolate each impactor stage from at least one adjacent impactor stage. The plurality of isolation stages is operable to be automatically uncompressed and removed from between the impactor stages. The isolation stages allow automated extraction of particulate matter, cleaning and drying of interior surfaces of each impactor stage. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090090198 | SEPARATION APPARATUS - Provided is an apparatus for automated separation of a target component from a sample using magnetic particles, which apparatus comprises a reagent delivery device and a vial holder for holding one or more vials in position, in which the reagent delivery device is alignable with the one or more vials for reagent delivery thereto; | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090126514 | Devices for collection and preparation of biological agents - A sample collection system and method for airborne biological agents is disclosed. The sample collection system comprises a sample collection module that collects particles in an air flow and transfer the collected particles into a sampling fluid, and a sample preparation module that is responsible for accepting the sampling fluid from the sample collection module, continuously aggregating or concentrating the collected particles in the sampling fluid during the sampling process and recycling a particle-lean sampling fluid back to the collection module. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090277284 | Sampling and transport device and method | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090293646 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR 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. A first NIOC is disposed adjacent to the light source and is configured to direct light away from the first light source. A detector is configured to detect bio-fluorescence associated with biological aerosols, and a second NIOC is disposed adjacent to the detector and is configured to direct light toward the first detector. In at least one embodiment, each NIOC comprises a compound parabolic collector. In one embodiment, the volume is disposed between the first and second NIOC, and in other embodiments, the volume is disposed distally of both NIOCs. To facilitate volume production, the NIOC can be formed as an integral structure. Preferably, the sample is a volume of a gaseous fluid, such as air. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090308181 | FLUID SAMPLING DEVICE - Disclosed is a fluid sampling device comprising a housing arranged to be freely rotatable under the influence of a fluid and comprising an opening for channeling the fluid through the housing such that the fluid contacts a particular portion of a sampling medium corresponding to a relative angular position of the housing. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100089183 | MULTI-FILTER CHEMICAL SPECIATION SAMPLER AND VIRTUAL IMPACTION PARTICLE SEPARATION INLET THEREFORE - A multi-filter chemical speciation sampler and a virtual impaction particle separation inlet therefore are provided. The inlet includes a housing having a bottom, a collection tube that extends through the bottom, and collection apertures formed in the bottom, arranged around the collection tube; a first plate disposed on top of the housing, having acceleration nozzles disposed at the perimeter thereof; a second plate disposed in the housing below the first plate, having a central aperture and separation apertures disposed around the central aperture. The sampler includes: an inlet; a virtual impaction separator to further fractionate the PM into a course fraction and a fine fraction; a first separation assembly to divide the course fraction into coarse aliquots, comprising first filters to collect the coarse aliquots; a second separation assembly to divide the fine fraction into fine aliquots, comprising second filters to collect the fine aliquots. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100186524 | Aerosol Collection and Microdroplet Delivery for Analysis - An apparatus or device for collecting aerosol particles from a gas stream, having a collector body enclosing a collector channel, a particle trap in the collector channel, and an injection duct for injecting a discrete microdroplet of an elution reagent. The particle trap may be a centrifugal impactor, a bluff body impactor, or an electrostatic impactor. Aerosol particles are deposited on the surface during collection and are subsequently eluted with a microdroplet or a series of microdroplets as a concentrated liquid sample so that the sample can be analyzed in situ or conveyed to a detector for analysis. The collector serves as an aerosol-to-liquid conversion module as part of an apparatus for detecting and analyzing aerosol particles, and may be used in an integrated environmental threat assessment system, for example for characterization of aerosolized chemical and biological weapons, or for industrial or environmental monitoring. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100212436 | Single use sterile slit impact sampling cassette with rotatable capture tray - A single use sterile slit impact sampling cassette with rotatable capture tray for recovering particulate matter from ambient air, having a lid with a slit shaped air inlet, dish with an air outlet, and capture tray. The dish and lid assemble to form a sealed sample chamber, which houses the capture tray. The assembled cassette is sterile packaged with its inlet and outlet covered before use. The cassette is placed on a base for operation, which supplies the required vacuum for sampling, and rotational means for the capture tray. Air drawn into the air inlet is accelerated to a velocity that ensures impingement, or entrainment of particulate matter from the sampled air volume onto, or within the capture media. The sampled air volume is evacuated from the sample chamber through an air outlet. The cassette is then removed from the operative base, and then may be analyzed for the target contaminants. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100229657 | Sinter-bonded metal flow restrictor for regulating volumetric gas flow through an aerosol sampler inlet - The present invention allows for increased volumetric flow rates relative to current commercially available technology in battery-powered PM sampling devices while vastly simplifying the operation of that device. This will allow for the capture of more PM in a shorter amount of time by allowing a shorter sampling duration and finer scale sampling or the collection of meaningful levels of PM in areas with unusually low concentrations of pollution. Further, the invention can be applied to any aerosol sampling device which requires a fixed rate of volumetric gas flow drawn through an aerosol sampling inlet. | 09-16-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100242633 | Biological Particle Collector, and Methods of Use Thereof - One aspect of the invention relates to the devices and methods for the collection of bioaerosols (such as viruses, bacteria, and proteins) from the exhaled breath of humans and/or animals, for the purpose of determining, for example, particle size, generation rate, diseases and interventions for particle release. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100288057 | Cascade Impactor - The invention relates to low flow rate cascade impactors for sampling aerosols, notably but not limited to pharmaceutical aerosols. The impactor stages serve as both orifice plate and collecting cup, simplifying collection and analysis. The impactor is designed to operate at flow rates approximating the inspiratory flow rates of young children and infants. Also presented is a method of and apparatus for applying a coating material to the collection surface of the stages after an impactor is assembled for use. The method entails generation of a polydisperse aerosol and sampling into the impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The apparatus and method of application limit the amount of coating material applied and confines it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100313685 | Surface Sampler for Biological Particles - Novel rapid, efficient sample collection systems, devices and methods are disclosed which remove and capture particles, and especially biological particles from surfaces into a liquid sample. The devices were developed primarily for obtaining samples of biological contamination from environmental surfaces. Biological particles, as described here, include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, and other particles of biological origin including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxins. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100313686 | Surface Sampler for Bioterrorism Particle Detection - Novel rapid, efficient sample collection systems, devices and methods are disclosed which remove and capture particles, and especially potential bioterrorism particles from surfaces into a liquid sample. The devices were developed primarily for obtaining samples of biological contamination from environmental surfaces. Biological particles, as described here, include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, and other particles of biological origin including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxins. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110088492 | Automated cascade impactor - An automated cascade impactor comprises an extension mechanism operable to couple to a plurality of impactor stages. The extension mechanism is operable to compress and separate impactor stages of the plurality of impactor stages via automation. The system provides a plurality of isolation stages operable to be automatically inserted between respective impactor stages when the impactor stages are separated by the extension mechanism. The system provides the plurality of isolation stages to be automatically compressed between impactor stages to isolate each impactor stage from at least one adjacent impactor stage. The plurality of isolation stages is operable to be automatically uncompressed and removed from between the impactor stages. The isolation stages allow automated extraction of particulate matter, cleaning and drying of interior surfaces of each impactor stage. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110132108 | Particle Interrogation Devices and Methods - Devices and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for aerosols or vapor residues indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the residues are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. A central orifice for pulling a vacuum is surrounded by an array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a “virtual sampling chamber”. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles and vapors from solid surfaces at a distance. A curtain wall flow encloses the sampling area during pulse retrieval. | 06-09-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20120137792 | Trace particle collection system - A trace particle collection system accumulates trace particles of those materials that are adhering to target surfaces. The particles are removed from the surface, transported and collected in a particle collection medium, and then provided to a detection instrument. Trace particles are often bound tenaciously to the target surface, and simple techniques, such as blowing air, will either remove only the largest particles or none at all. The removal of trace particles is described which utilizes an aerosol mixture of frozen carbon dioxide aerosol particles in a gas stream to impact and more efficiently remove the target particles from the surface. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120247233 | Automated cascade impactor - An automated cascade impactor is disclosed and comprises a vertical array of a plurality of impactor stages, and a vertical array of isolation stages, wherein the vertical array of the isolation stages comprises pairs of isolation stages between which impactor plates, removed from respective ones of the impactor stages are effectively sandwiched between each pair of isolation stages. Still further, each compactor stage is likewise sandwiched between and upper and a lower pair of the isolation stages. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120255375 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND RETAINING PARTICLES - Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods for capturing particles from a particle-laden airstream. An embodiment of a device includes an inlet air passage to direct a particle-laden airstream, an outlet air passage, an impaction nozzle in fluid communication with and downstream of the inlet air passage, and a channel in fluid communication with and downstream of the impaction nozzle and upstream of the outlet air passage. An open portion of the channel is oriented substantially toward the inlet air passage and has a cavity at least partially covered with a substrate material. A base of the substrate material is substantially normal to an incoming direction of the particle-laden airstream. Other embodiments of the device and a method of using the device are also provided. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20130036837 | MULTI-FILTER PM 10-PM 2.5 SAMPLER - A multi-filter PM 10-PM 2.5 sampler which enable the simultaneous collection of four PM 10 and four PM 2.5 samples is disclosed. The sampler is provided with a PM 10 impactor to remove coarse particles and operates at 33.4 L/min. After the PM 10 impactor, the aerosol flow is divided by half by a branch pipe. Half of the flow is directed into four PM 10 cassettes, while the other half is directed into four PM 2.5 cassettes after the aerosols are further classified by a PM 2.5 impactor. To ensure the aerosol flow uniformly passes through each of the four PM 10 or four PM 2.5 cassettes, an orifice plate is assembled behind each of the filter cassettes to increase the pressure drop, such that the flow rates of eight sampling lines are nearly equal. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130081482 | ENVIRONMENT PROVIDING DEVICE AND ENVIRONMENT EVALUATING METHOD - An environment providing device having a test chamber provided, in one face thereof, with a plurality of gas intake vents, where a respective plurality particle detecting devices is provided; and an injecting device for injecting particles into the test chamber. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130220034 | PERSONAL NANOPARTICLE RESPIRATORY DEPOSITIONS SAMPLER AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A personally portable nanoparticle respiratory deposition (NRD) sampler configured to collect nanoparticles based upon a sampling criterion. In an aspect, the NRD sampler has an impactor stage, and a diffusion stage. In another aspect, the NRD sampler includes a particle size separator in addition to an impactor stage and a diffusion stage. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20140060213 | PORTABLE NANOPARTICLE SAMPLER - A portable nanoparticle sampler for collecting respirable particulate matters and nanoparticles is composed of a tangential flow cyclone, a multi-microorifice impactor and a filter cassette. The tangential flow cyclone can remove the microparticles with cutoff aerodynamic diameter (dpa) larger than 4 μm and guide the airflow to the multi-microorifice impactor located below the cyclone. The multi-microorifice impactor includes a multi-orifice nozzle and a rotary impaction plate for enabling the microparticles with dpa from 100 nm to 4 μm to be uniformly collected on a silicon-oil-coated impaction substrate. The remanent microparticles with dpa smaller than 100 nm are collected by the filter cassette. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the portable nanoparticle sampler is characterized by low pressure loss and accurate microparticle sizing to meet the requirement of nanoparticle sampling at workplaces. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140196549 | Cascade Impactor - The invention relates to low flow rate cascade impactors for sampling aerosols, notably but not limited to pharmaceutical aerosols. The impactor stages serve as both orifice plate and collecting cup, simplifying collection and analysis. The impactor is designed to operate at flow rates approximating the inspiratory flow rates of young children and infants. Also presented is a method of and apparatus for applying a coating material to the collection surface of the stages after an impactor is assembled for use. The method entails generation of a polydisperse aerosol and sampling into the impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The apparatus and method of application limit the amount of coating material applied and confines it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20150075301 | MICROBIAL AIR SAMPLER INTEGRATING MEDIA PLATE AND SAMPLE COLLECTION DEVICE - The invention generally provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors for collecting and/or analyzing biological particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Devices and methods of the invention incorporate an integrated sampler and impact surface, such as the receiving surface of a growth media, in a manner to minimize, or entirely eliminate, risks associated with user handling, such as the occurrence of false positive determinations due to contamination of the impact surface during particle sampling, growth or analysis processes. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150300926 | WET-FILM PARTICLE IMPACTOR - A wet-film particle impactor includes a housing, a nozzle, an impact surface and at least one water inlet. The housing defines a chamber therein and has an air outlet and a water outlet. The nozzle is disposed on the housing and has a plurality of through holes in communication with an air inlet and the chamber. The water inlet is formed on the impact surface for introducing water into the chamber. Whereby, the wet-film particle impactor is adapted to introduce the particle-containing air stream into the chamber sequentially via the air inlet and the through holes. The particles in the air stream are collected by the impact surface. The water introduced from the water inlet flushes the impact surface, carries the particles collected by the impact surface, and then exits the chamber via the water outlet. | 10-22-2015 |
