A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

To analyze a generation source of a target component emitted in a form of a gas. To provide a generation source analyzing device comprising an acquiring section which acquires a concentration measurement value of a gas which includes a target component, and a concentration measurement value of a particle component which is generated in association with the gas, and an analyzing section which analyzes a distance from a measurement point to a generation source of the target component based on a concentration measurement value of the gas and a concentration measurement value of the particle component. The acquiring section may acquire a concentration measurement value of a precursor gas which becomes a raw material which generates the particle component, and a concentration measurement value of a secondary generated particle component which is generated from the precursor gas.

In an embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus, configured to collect emitted sample dose from a drug delivery device, wherein the sample dose is an aerosol, wherein the apparatus comprises a collection assembly and a removable plunger.

An apparatus includes a sampling probe having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to penetrate inside a wall of a duct having an inner chamber that is configured to carry a gas stream containing particulate matter therethrough. The first portion is further configured to divert a sample of the, gas stream from the inner chamber of the duet to the second portion that extends from the wall of the duct opposite the inner chamber. The second portion of the sampling probe is configured to direct the sample of the gas stream in a first direction with a second direction corresponding to a direction of the gravitational force of the earth. A first ray corresponding to the first direction forms an angle β with a second ray corresponding to the second direction. The angle β is less than 90 degrees.

Embodiments of the invention collect solid, vapor, and/or biological components of the air in air-sampling cartridges that are then transported to an off-site location by pneumatic pressure. Operation proceeds by first collecting a sample of air in an air-sampling cartridge in a sampling position, then advancing a cartridge assembly to move the now-used sampling cartridge into a transport position while simultaneously moving an unused sampling cartridge into the sampling position, and finally using pneumatic pressure to push the used sampling cartridge in the transport position to an off-site location via a transport tube. The sampling operation can begin again while the transport operation is in still in progress. These operations can be pre-programmed locally or triggered by remote communication. Continued operation is possible due to a plurality of unused air-sampling cartridges retained in the cartridge assembly. Since operations can be triggered remotely and air samples are autonomously transported off site, embodiments of this invention eliminate unnecessary risks to human health created by other air-sampling devices, which require an operator to be present at a potentially hazardous sampling site to activate the device or retrieve air samples. Additionally, embodiments of the invention can be installed preemptively to eliminate risks to human health created when an operator must deliver a portable air-sampling device to a potentially contaminated sampling site. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow rapid retrieval of air samples following sample collection, which can expedite analysis and identification of aerosols and consequently help minimize human exposure to potentially dangerous and life-threatening chemical and biological contaminants.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and analyzing bioaerosols, including exhaled breath aerosol from a subject. The collection system comprises an inlet portion configured to receive a gaseous fluid containing water vapor and aerosol particles. A primary passage for gaseous fluid flow is in fluid communication with the inlet portion and configured to channel the gaseous fluid flow therethrough. An outlet portion is in fluid communication with the primary passage. A sample collection region is provided, which is configured to receive from the outlet portion aerosol particles from the gaseous fluid, wherein the aerosol particles are impacted onto a layer of ice.

Provided herein are systems and methods allowing for automated sampling and/or analysis of controlled environments, for example, to determine the presence, quantity, size, concentration, viability, species or characteristics of particles within the environment. The described systems and methods may utilize robotics or automation or remove some or all of the collection or analysis steps that are traditionally performed by human operators. The methods and systems described herein are versatile and may be used with known particle sampling and analysis techniques and particle detection devices including, for example, optical particle counters, impingers and impactors.

A test unit having a light source (e.g., a laser) for illuminating an aerosol sample directed into a test chamber and a removable insert for the test unit. The test unit includes at least one detector for detecting the effect of the aerosol sample on light, i.e., the detector detects at least one property of light after the light has illuminated the aerosol sample. The removable insert may take a number of different forms. For example, the removable insert can form at least a portion of an unsealed or sealed test chamber when installed in an operating position. Further, the removable insert may include a removable support and at least one film or collection substance connected or applied to the removable support. The at least one film could be a filter or a non-filter. The filter could be a polarization filter (i.e., horizontal or vertical) or a fluorescence filter.

Disclosed are methods for determining and classifying aircraft air contaminants comprising one or more of: turbine engine oil, hydraulic fluid and deicing fluid using contaminant analyzers comprising a contaminant collector comprising a membrane and a heater vaporizing the contaminants; a gravimetric sensor generating a response when contaminant mass is added to or removed from the sensor, the sensor receiving contaminants desorbed from the heated membrane; a frequency measurement device, measuring the response generated by the sensor as the contaminant is added to and removed from the sensor; a computer readable medium bearing a contaminant recognition program and calibration data; a processor executing the program, the program including a module classifying contaminants by type, and a module using the data for comparison with magnitude of response generated by the sensor to calculate contaminant concentration; and, a pump, generating flow of air through the collector before and after the membrane is heated.

An improved device for collecting particulate matter suspended in the ambient air is disclosed comprising a container extending between an open first end and a closed second end defining a container interior. A container output communicates with a container interior located proximate the closed second end of the container. A filter cassette comprising a collection filter is permanently affixed to a filter holder. A retainer having a retainer input retains the filter cassette between the retainer input and the container output. An output connector connects the container output to a low pressure source for drawing ambient air into the retainer input for enabling the collection filter to collect particulate matter suspended in the ambient air entering the retainer input. Preferably, the filter holder and the filter are disposable.