PORTABLE SAMPLER TO DETECT MICROORGANISMS INCLUDING SARS-COV-2 IN THE AIR

Abstract

A device is described for collecting samples of microorganisms in the air, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, including SARS-CoV-2; intuitive to use, portable, and does not require specific technical knowledge to handle. The device works through an air flow sucked in by a centrifugal fan, where a filter retains the microorganisms for later use in diagnostic laboratories.

Claims

1. A portable sampler to detect microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 in the air, the portable sampler comprising: a centrifugal fan sucking an air flow of 50-70 L/min from the environment, while retaining microorganisms present in the environment in a filter suitable for later use in diagnostic laboratories.

2. The portable sampler according to claim 1, wherein said filter has a pore size between 1-8 microns,

3. The portable sampler according to claim 1, wherein said filter has a pore size of between 1-5 microns.

4. The A portable sampler according to claim 1, wherein the filter is contained in a plastic supportn and placed in a container that has a medium of transport and preservation that guarantees viability of a collected sample.

5. The portable sampler according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal fan, has a diameter of between 40 and 60 mm, a static pressure of between 2 and 7 Kpa, a flow volume of between 100 and 150 L/min, a power consumption of between 15 and 24 W, and is powered by 12 or 24 VDC.

6. The portable sampler according to claims 1, further comprising a hose to transfer the air flow from a fan outlet to an outlet filtering chamber, in order to isolate internal parts of the portable sampler.

7. The portable sampler according to claims 1, further comprising an outlet filter that allows to retain coarse particles.

8. The portable sampler according to claims 1, wherein said portable sampler houses said centrifugal fan, an inlet filter mechanism, a hose, an outlet filter and a battery.

9. The portable sampler according to claims 1, further comprising legible indicators of use

10. (canceled)

11. The portable sampler according to claims 1, wherein said filter is replaceable.

12. The portable sampler according to claims 7, wherein said outlet filter is replaceable.

13. The portable sampler according to claims 1, wherein said filter is made of nitrocellulose or cellulose.

14. The portable sampler according to claims 8, wherein said portable sampler comprises of 8 pieces.

15. The portable sampler according to claims 14, wherein said 8 pieces are made of resin.

16. The portable sampler according to claims 15, wherein said 8 pieces are made by 3D printing.

17. The portable sampler according to claims 15, wherein said 8 pieces are made of polymers.

18. The portable sampler according to claims 17, wherein said polymers comprise polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

19. The portable sampler according to claims 15, wherein said 8 pieces are made by injection.

20. The portable sampler according to claims 8, wherein said battery lasts between 2-4 hours.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0066] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the set;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the set;

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a top and perspective view of the inlet filter support (C1) at a 1:1 scale;

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the set.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows another cross-sectional view of the set.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] The present invention refers to a compact and portable sampling device for detecting microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 in the air, by means of a filtering system in uncontrolled environments.

[0072] In FIG. 1:

[0073] P1—On-Off switch

[0074] P2—Green light on indicates full battery

[0075] P3—Red light on indicates low battery

[0076] In FIG. 2:

[0077] P1—Head cover

[0078] P2—Head

[0079] P3—Fan support

[0080] P4—Casing

[0081] P5—Lower support

[0082] P6—Access cover to outlet filter

[0083] P7—Hinges covers

[0084] P8—Hinge shaft

[0085] P9—Non-slip stop

[0086] C1—Inlet filter support

[0087] i1—Membrane filter of 3 μm: Particle retention for sampling

[0088] i2—Centrifugal fan: Generate enough air flow to filter

[0089] i3—Lithium battery pack with BMS: Provide power to the fan in a portable way

[0090] i4—On-Off switch: Turn on-off the device

[0091] i5—Charging connector: Battery charger connector

[0092] i6 R—Red led diode: Inform low battery status

[0093] i6 V—Green led diode: Inform full battery status

[0094] i7—Led holder: Hold led to casing

[0095] i8—Outlet filter: Avoid emission of particles to the environment

[0096] i9—Screws: Union of casing

[0097] i10—Nuts: Union of casing

[0098] i11—Silicone hose: Air flow transportation

[0099] i12—Screws: Fixing the fan to the support and the filter support to the casing

[0100] i13—Screws: Fixing fan support to the head

[0101] i14—Switched source: Battery charging

[0102] In FIG. 3, the inlet filter support (C1) is made from PETG 300 μm.

[0103] In FIG. 4:

[0104] P1—Head cover

[0105] P2—Head

[0106] P3—Fan support

[0107] P4—Casing

[0108] P5—Lower support

[0109] P6—Access cover to outlet filter

[0110] P7—Hinges covers

[0111] P8—Hinge shaft

[0112] P9—Non-slip stop

[0113] i1—Membrane filter of 3 μm

[0114] i2—Centrifugal fan

[0115] i3—Lithium battery pack with BMS

[0116] i4—On-Off switch

[0117] i5—Charging connector

[0118] i6 R—Red led diode

[0119] i6 V—Green led diode

[0120] i7—Led holder

[0121] i8—Outlet filter

[0122] i9—Screws

[0123] i10—Nuts

[0124] i11—Silicone hose

[0125] i12—Screws

[0126] i13—Screws

[0127] In FIG. 5:

[0128] P1—Head cover

[0129] P2—Head

[0130] P3—Fan support

[0131] P4—Casing

[0132] P5—Lower support

[0133] P6—Access cover to outlet filter

[0134] P9—Non-slip stop

[0135] i2—Centrifugal fan

[0136] i3—Lithium battery pack with BMS

[0137] i5—Charging connector

[0138] i8—Outlet filter

[0139] i9—Screws

[0140] i10—Nuts

[0141] i11—Silicone hose

[0142] This sampling device is intuitive and simple to use, allowing it to be used by personnel without laboratory and sampling techniques knowledge.

[0143] It has a sequence of use, operation, handling of the device and samples oriented to reliable sampling results.

[0144] The basic principle of its operation is due to the suction of a flow of air from the environment, which enters the device through the upper part of the head (2P2), perpendicular to the support area, by means of a fan (2i2) whose flow passes through an inlet filter (2i1) that retains microorganisms present in the environment, for later use in diagnostic laboratories.

[0145] After the air flow passes through the inlet filter, it is conducted through an internal hose (2i11) to avoid dispersion of the flow on the operating electronic components. The hose directs the flow to a chamber in the lower part of the device, in which there is an outlet filter (2i8).

[0146] The chamber at the bottom is designed so that the air flow circulates to the outside, passing through the positioning lines of the outlet filter (2i8), and escapes through the slits located radially in the cover of access (2P6).

[0147] In its design, this sampling device is made up of 8 pieces made of resin or similar by means of 3D printing or of polymers such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) or ABS (Acrylonitrile

[0148] Butadiene Styrene) or similar by injection indistinctly. It has two main parts, separating on one side the head (2P2) and the casing (2P4) that contains the rest of the internal components. This provides two technical-production improvements: facilitating the assembly of internal components and reducing the margin of loss of parts in the production system.

[0149] The head (2P2) has a pivoting and snap-fit cover (1P1), which keeps the sampling filter (2i1) firmly attached to the head surface at all times. The cover is attached to the head by means of a hinge (2P7) in order to ensure that parts of the device are not removed or lost, thus simplifying its sequence of use and minimizing the possibility of contamination of parts when resting on various surfaces. Similarly, the device does not have accessory parts that could add elements that could be removed or lost.

[0150] The sampling filter is contained by a support (2C1) throughout the sampling process, facilitating its handling, and is removed when the filter is stored in the sampling bag. The filter support gives structure to the filter (2i1), holds it and at the same time occupies the least amount of filter surface. This support is made of plastic material, of minimum thickness and of simple manufacture, by means of punching or similar, that the user acquires as a consumable together with the filter within the same sterilized bag.

[0151] The set comprised of the head cover (2P1), the sampling filter support (2C1) and its support surface on the head, have been designed and defined millimetrically, so that there is no contact between the filter and any surface of the device.

[0152] The sampling filter (2i1) are replaceable commercial filters, made of nitrocellulose, cellulose or similar, with pore sizes between 1-8 microns for the retention of microorganisms and between 1-5 microns for the retention of viruses, including SARS—CoV-2, present in the environment, which can be used later in diagnostic laboratories.

[0153] The fan (2i2) to generate the air flow, is a centrifugal fan according to the requirements of air volume and sampling times with a balanced consumption in relation to the suction power and the size of the device with a diameter of between 40 and 60 mm, with a static pressure of between 2 and 7 Kpa, flow volume of between 100 and 150 L/min of, consumption of between 15 and 24 W, and VDC of 12 or 24.

[0154] The fan support (2P3) fixes it to the casing (2P4), in such a way that in this action the fan inlet can be wedged into the cavity that connects it to the air flow inlet. The fan is easily placed in the support thanks to the slots that position it in place, to be screwed later. Next, the support is fixed to the head (2P2), thus being secured to the device. It also allows comfortable access to the fan in case of service.

[0155] The lower support (2P5) has in the upper part an inlet for the silicone hose (2i11) that conducts the air towards the outlet filtering chamber (2i8), and some battery positioning partitions. In the lower part it has circular and concentric partitions, designed so that there is no dragging of the filter when the lower cover is activated. A perimeter partition near the edge of the outlet filter, makes it fit against the lower cover, thus sealing the chamber.

[0156] At the base it has an outlet filter support (2P6) to let the air flow out of the device. It is activated by twisting to open or close it. The outlet filter (2i8) is secured between the lower support (2P5) and the filter access cover (2P6). When closing this screw cover, pressure is applied upwards, sealing it. In this way, the outlet filter (2i8) is positioned in isolation from the rest of the internal volume of the device. The purpose of this filter is to prevent possible internal contamination of the device from being spread in the same or another uncontaminated environment.

[0157] The technological features of operation proposed in the device are minimal, in order to minimize internal electronic mechanisms and at the same time simplify the use of the device as much as possible.

[0158] It has usage indicators such as two led lights (1P2 and 1P3) that provide information on the status of the battery, a switch with a built-in graph indicating on and off (1P1), and a battery charger (2i14) (switched source) with charging indicator light.

[0159] Its sequence of use consists of: [0160] 1. The device is taken out of the box. [0161] 2. It is positioned on a smooth surface (in case of fixed sampling)/It is held by the grip (in case of mobile sampling). [0162] 3. A filter bag (inlet) is opened and the support (with the filter attached) is removed by taking it for the grip. [0163] 4. The head cover is opened by pulling the opening tab upwards. [0164] 5. The support with the filter is positioned on the head. [0165] 6. The head cover closes. [0166] 7. The device is turned on by pressing the switch. [0167] 8. Sampling is done. [0168] 9. The device is turned off by pressing the switch. [0169] 10. The head cover is opened and the support with the filter is removed. [0170] 11. Insert the filter support into the sampling bag with a skillful hand (taking care not to touch too much the inside of the bag with the support) and with the other hand from the outside of the bag, only the filter is held on both sides, at the same time that the support is removed. [0171] 12. As the filter is inserted into the sampling bag, it comes into contact with the transportation and preservation medium. [0172] 13. The sampling bag is closed and prepared to be taken to the laboratory. [0173] 14. Cleaning and disinfection protocol of the device is carried out. [0174] 15. The device is stored in the box.