Distributable chemical sampling and sensing system

• US 10,408,786 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2017
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ChemiSensor, LLP
• Original Assignee: ChemiSensor, LLP
• Inventors: Kuhr, Werner G., Rhodine, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Hixson, Christopher Adam
• Application Number:
  US15/616,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20170336341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/22 in the gaseous state specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2214 by sorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4022 by thermal techniques; Phase changes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/8809 analysis specially adapted for the sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/407 for investigating or analysing gases G01N27/411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/48 using polarography, i.e. measuring changes in current under a slowly-varying voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/64 Electrical detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/7206 interfaced to gas chromatograph interfaces in general for introducing or extracting samples to be analysed with specially adapted mass spectrometer, see H01J49/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/88 Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of the groups G01N30/04 - G01N30/86
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 Food

Abstract

A distributable sampling and sensing instrument for chemical analysis of consumable foods and other agricultural products. The distributable sampling system is used to separate and concentrate the chemicals of interest obtained from samples at remote locations via thermal desorption onto a detachable target substrate that can be analyzed on-site or off-site. The volatile components adsorbed onto the target substrate can be analyzed with specific sensors (e.g., electrochemical sensors) or the assembly can be sent to a central lab and analyzed with conventional chemical instrumentation (e.g., GC-MS). This instrument provides the capability to enable chemical analysis of a wide range of chemical species of interest in a wide range of environments and conditions.

Claims

1. A sampling chamber for selectively attaching to a gas fluidic system, comprising:

a sample holder for maintaining an analyte having at least one volatile component, the sample holder in fluid communication with a gas fluidic system;

a target substrate configured for collecting at least one volatile component from the analyte disposed in the sample holder;

a sensor assembly configured for measuring the at least one volatile component from the analyte, the sensor assembly disposed within a first slot in the sampling chamber; and

a target substrate holder within a second slot in the sampling chamber, the target substrate holder configured for maintaining the target substrate over the sample holder when retaining the at least one volatile component from the analyte and the target substrate be movable within the second slot into contact with the sensor assembly.

2. The sampling chamber as described in claim 1, wherein the sampling chamber has a tube connecting to the gas fluidic system such that a heated gas from the gas fluidic system travels through the sample holder.

3. The sampling chamber as described in claim 2, wherein the first slot maintaining the sensor assembly and the second slot maintaining the target substrate holder intersect within the sampling chamber such that the target substrate is in contact with the sensor assembly.

4. The sampling chamber as described in claim 3, wherein the sensor assembly measures the at least one volatile component from the analyte while maintained within the first slot of the sampling chamber.

5. The sampling chamber as described in claim 4, wherein the sensor assembly is an electrochemical sensor assembly.

6. The sampling chamber as described in claim 5, wherein the electrochemical sensor assembly has at least one working electrode, and at least one reference electrode and an electrolyte solution.

7. The sampling chamber as described in claim 6, wherein the sensor assembly has at least one connection in electrical communication with a voltammetric meter.