G01N1/2202

Electrostatic Precipitation-Based Sampler for Bioaerosol Monitoring

A compact, portable, low-cost electrostatic bioaerosol sampler device is provided for collection of aerosolized biological and non-biological particles. The device may be used for long-term, large-scale deployment. With a low-pressure design, the device can sample a high flowrate of 10 lit/min with a low-power fan. The device collects dust particles with a nominal size range of 1-10 μm, with an efficiency of >60%. The device may include aerosol sensing components, a particle ionizer, and an electrostatic precipitator. A removable cassette includes a ground plate for collection of ionized particles and a high voltage plate opposite the ground plate. A divider may be included beneath the ionizer to facilitate separation of collected particles by size on the ground plate.

Cell population analysis

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

TEST CHAMBER APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING FILTER MEDIA

An apparatus includes (i) a test chamber having an inlet and an outlet; (ii) an introduction system configured to introduce a test pollutant into the test chamber such that the test pollutant is entrained in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet; (iii) a support configured to retain the test article, wherein the support defines a passageway downstream of a location of the test article such that air flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the filter medium prior to entering the passageway; (iv) an air flow apparatus configured to draw air from within the test chamber through the passageway and the outlet; and (v) a respiratory conditions simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of respiration, an external environment simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of an external environment, or both the respiratory conditions simulation system and the external environment simulation system.

Self-propelled pathogen detection device, pathogen detection system, and control method

The present disclosure provides a self-propelled pathogen detection device in which a place where a pathogen is highly likely to be present in a space such as an inside of a facility is allowed to be configured preferentially to be a target region of detection. The self-propelled pathogen detection device according to the present disclosure comprises a housing; a detection part for detecting a pathogen; a movement mechanism for moving the housing; a position acquirement part for acquiring position information representing a current position of the housing in a space; and a control part which determines a target region in the space on the basis of traffic line information on a person in the space, and controls the movement mechanism to move the housing in the target region on the basis of the position information. The detection part detects the pathogen in the target region.

Dynamic Modification of Bioaerosol Detection with Genetic Identification
20230228652 · 2023-07-20 ·

A bioaerosol detector is operated in accordance with one or more first inputs. Operating the bioaerosol detector includes filtering pathogens from the air, extracting genetic material from the filtered pathogens, and analyzing the extracted genetic material to identify the filtered pathogens. While operating the bioaerosol detector in accordance with the one or more first inputs, a change is identified in an operating condition for the bioaerosol detector. In response, the bioaerosol detector is operated in accordance with one or more second inputs. At least one input of the one or more second inputs is distinct from a respective input of the one or more first inputs.

Dynamic modification of bioaerosol detection with genetic identification
11555764 · 2023-01-17 · ·

A bioaerosol detector is operated in accordance with one or more first inputs. Operating the bioaerosol detector includes filtering pathogens from the air, extracting genetic material from the filtered pathogens, and analyzing the extracted genetic material to identify the filtered pathogens. While operating the bioaerosol detector in accordance with the one or more first inputs, a change is identified in an operating condition for the bioaerosol detector. In response, the bioaerosol detector is operated in accordance with one or more second inputs. At least one input of the one or more second inputs is distinct from a respective input of the one or more first inputs.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING PATHOGENS IN AN ENVIRONMENT VIA AN ELECTROSTATIC AIR SAMPLER

One variation of a pathogen detection system includes an air sampler and a cartridge. The air sampler includes: a housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a tunnel arranged within the housing and extending between the inlet and the outlet; a charge electrode arranged within the tunnel proximal the inlet; a cartridge receptacle arranged proximal the outlet and comprising a cartridge terminal; and a power supply configured to drive a voltage between the charge electrode and the cartridge terminal. The cartridge includes: a substrate; a collector plate arranged on the substrate and configured to collect charged bioaerosols moving through the tunnel; and a connector configured to transiently engage the cartridge receptacle to locate the substrate and the collector plate within the tunnel and electrically couple the collector plate to the cartridge terminal.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AEROSOLIZED VIRAL PARTICLES

Systems and methods are provided for reliably detecting aerosolized virus particles using electrochemical characteristics of the virus, and its interaction with π-conjugated conducting solid-state substrates.

Mobile monitoring device for controlled contamination areas

A mobile monitoring device for monitoring controlled contamination areas may include a motorized mobile structure, a sampling unit, and a central management and control unit. The motorized mobile structure is configured to move within an area to be monitored. The sampling unit is positioned on said mobile structure, and configured to perform sampling operations of air and/or surfaces of said area and obtain sampling data. The central management and control unit is operatively connected to the mobile structure and to said sampling unit. The mobile structure may be controlled by the central unit to reach predefined points of the area to be monitored. The sampling unit may be selectively activated and/or deactivated by said central unit in correspondence with said predefined starting points of said sampling operations.

SENSORS WITH DEHUMIDIFIERS

A sensor system for detecting at least one analyte in an environment includes a dehumidifier system including at least one of a condenser unit and a desiccant unit and a sensor responsive to the analyte in fluid connection with the dehumidifier system.