DEVICE FOR COLLECTING VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sample collection device for collecting volatile organic compounds from the air, as well as to a method for characterizing the volatile organic compounds and to the use of this device for characterizing the odorant signature of an individual and allowing a dog to identify an individual from his/her odorant signature.

Claims

1. Device for collecting volatile organic compounds from the air, characterized in that it comprises: a collection chamber; a remote pumping system based on an alternation of airflow suction and ejection cycles; a sorbent support; a circuit providing a system for recirculating the incoming air.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said sorbent support is an absorbent support.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said sorbent support is an adsorbent support.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said absorbent support is selected from the cyclodextrins, sodium bisulfite and/or dinitrophenylhydrazine.

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said adsorbent support is selected from compresses, polydimethylsiloxane patches, carbon blacks, molecular sieves, and/or organic polymers, or a combination thereof.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit is closed by sealing the collection chamber during the recirculation of the airflow.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit is formed of single-use connectors.

8. Method for characterizing the volatile organic compounds present in the air in a ratio of at least one part per trillion, comprising the steps of: collecting the volatile organic compounds using the device according to the invention; withdrawing the sorbent support from said collection device; desorbing the volatile organic compounds; gas chromatography; mass spectrometry.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that it is implemented by way of an air sample.

10. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said desorption step is a thermodesorption step.

11. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the gas chromatography step is a two-dimensional gas chromatography step.

12. Use of the device according to claim 1 for characterizing the odorant signature of an individual.

13. Use of the device according to claim 1 for enriching a sorbent support and allowing a dog to identify an individual from his/her odorant signature.

Description

[0079] FIG. 1 describes an example of the device according to the invention.

[0080] Referring to the drawing, the collection chamber (1) of the device according to the invention makes it possible for air to enter the device. The incoming airflow (2) is carried through the sorbent support (5) by the remote pumping system (4). The recirculating airflow (3) is subsequently redirected to the collection chamber (1) by the connectors (6).

Example 1: Use of the Device According to the Invention During Search Operations for an Individual

[0081] An operator provided with a dry-suit positions the device according to the invention comprising, with reference to the drawings, a collection chamber (1), a remote pumping system (4), a sorbent support (5), and a circuit (6) providing recirculation (3) of the incoming airflow (2) towards the collection chamber, in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in which it is desired to search for the presence of an odorant signature of an individual who may have occupied the vehicle.

[0082] The operator starts up the remote pumping system (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0083] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is withdrawn from the device according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate it.

[0084] The sorbent support (5) is subsequently sent to a laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0085] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the odorant signature present in the vehicle.

[0086] This odorant signature may subsequently be compared with that of the individual, characterized in an environment where the person searched for was present, and thus make it possible to reach a conclusion as regards his/her presence in said vehicle.

Example 2: Use of the Device According to the Invention after a Break-in at a Residence (Break-in, Robbery, Violence Against Individuals, Etc.)

[0087] Operators provided with dry-suits arrange a plurality of devices according to the invention in the residence in which the break-in, robbery or violence took place.

[0088] The operators start up the pumping systems (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent supports (5) according to the invention.

[0089] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping systems (4) are stopped and the sorbent supports (5) are withdrawn from the devices according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate them.

[0090] The sorbent supports (5) are subsequently sent to a laboratory, and are desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0091] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the odorant signature present in the residence.

[0092] This odorant signature is subsequently used when a suspect is apprehended, once his/her odorant signature has been characterized, so as to compare it and characterize his/her presence at crime scenes.

Example 3: Use of the Device According to the Invention for Identifying Volatile Organic Compounds that have Entered the Composition of Flammable Products

[0093] An operator provided with a dry-suit arranges the device according to the invention in the passenger compartment of a burned-out vehicle in which it is desired to search for the presence of volatile organic compounds capable of entering the composition of flammable products, such as denatured alcohol, fuels, solvents, or even diluents such as white spirit.

[0094] The operator starts up the pumping system (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0095] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is withdrawn from the device according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate it.

[0096] The sorbent support (5) is subsequently sent to a laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0097] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the volatile organic compounds present in the burned-out vehicle.

[0098] The identified volatile organic compounds can subsequently be compared with those contained in various flammable products, and the flammable product used to burn the vehicle can thus be identified.

Example 4: Use of the Device According to the Invention Close to an Industrial Production or Manufacturing Line for Determining the Content of Volatile Organic Compounds Discharged and Exposed to the Staff, and Potentially Identifying a Problem in the Industrial Line

[0099] An operator arranges the device according to the invention at the production/manufacturing line for which the emissions of organic compounds are to be determined.

[0100] The operator starts up the pumping system (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0101] After 8 hours of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is withdrawn from the device according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate it.

[0102] The sorbent support is subsequently sent to a laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0103] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the volatile organic compounds discharged by the production/manufacturing line.

[0104] The identified volatile organic compounds can subsequently be compared with those usually discharged by the production line, so as to characterize a manufacturing deviation, linked to a problem on the production line, and the volatile organic compounds to which the staff are being exposed.

Example 5: Use of the Device According to the Invention in the Medical Sphere in the Context of Non-Invasive Odor Collection for Diagnostic Use (Search for Target Molecules or Markers)

[0105] An operator arranges the device according to the invention close to a patient for whom it is desired to determine the presence of volatile organic compounds.

[0106] The operator starts up the pumping system (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0107] After 15 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is withdrawn from the device according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate it.

[0108] The sorbent support (5) is subsequently sent to a laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0109] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the volatile organic compounds present in the odor of the patient.

[0110] The identified volatile organic compounds can subsequently be compared with those conventionally identified in various pathologies, and the operator can thus decide upon a relevant diagnosis for the patient without invasive collection.

Example 6: Use of the Device According to the Invention in the Medical Sphere in the Context of a Therapy Follow-Up

[0111] An operator arranges the device according to the invention close to a patient for whom it is desired to determine the presence of volatile organic compounds.

[0112] The operator starts up the pumping system (4) according to the invention so as to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0113] After 15 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support is withdrawn from the device according to the invention carefully so as not to contaminate it.

[0114] The sorbent support (5) is subsequently sent to a laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a source of heat.

[0115] The desorbed elements are subsequently analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to characterize the volatile organic compounds present in the odor of the patient.

[0116] The identified volatile organic compounds are subsequently compared with those identified during the previous study implemented for the same patient so as to trace, without invasive collection, the emission of new molecules or markers that could act as an index for the development of a pathology or of the recovery of a patient.

[0117] In the context of this example, the use of the device according to the invention is appropriate for obtaining a follow-up on the patient.