Automatic point source biological agent detection system
First Claim
1. A fully automatic biological agent detection system, comprising:
- biological agent identifier apparatus;
collection apparatus for collecting an aerosol sample of particles of an aerosolized biological agent at at least one monitored location;
aerosol concentrator apparatus for producing a liquid sample of the aerosol sample;
an automated fluidics apparatus for storing and delivering a portion of the liquid sample to a cartridge type receptacle;
an automated mechanical handling system for transporting the receptacle from a staging area to a liquid fill point of the fluidics apparatus and then to the biological agent identifier apparatus; and
control apparatus for providing overall automated control of the system, for controlling the apparatus at said at least one monitored location, and for reporting the test results provided by the identifier apparatus to a predetermined location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for automatically collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. A fully automated system is provided that is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment. The system includes apparatus for implementing the following features: particle collection and pre-separation using a collection hood and dry cyclone passive filtration system; continuous particle collection into a liquid sample; automated fluid transfer to a PCR analysis cartridge at pre-scheduled times; automated cartridge handling and transfer to PCR bio-agent identification apparatus for detecting a bio-agent in a piece of mail; automatic retesting of the liquid sample upon various error conditions; automatic confirmation testing upon preliminary positive results; automated fluid transfer to archive containers at the completion of analysis; and, automated notification/reporting system to alert designated personnel/organizations upon the occurance of selected events such as the presence of bacillus antracis.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A fully automatic biological agent detection system, comprising:
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biological agent identifier apparatus;
collection apparatus for collecting an aerosol sample of particles of an aerosolized biological agent at at least one monitored location;
aerosol concentrator apparatus for producing a liquid sample of the aerosol sample;
an automated fluidics apparatus for storing and delivering a portion of the liquid sample to a cartridge type receptacle;
an automated mechanical handling system for transporting the receptacle from a staging area to a liquid fill point of the fluidics apparatus and then to the biological agent identifier apparatus; and
control apparatus for providing overall automated control of the system, for controlling the apparatus at said at least one monitored location, and for reporting the test results provided by the identifier apparatus to a predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of detecting a biological agent in items to be delivered and being transported along a transport path, comprising the steps of:
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collecting an aerosol sample from said items at at least one location of the transport path;
producing a liquid sample of the aerosol sample;
delivering a portion of the liquid sample to a cartridge type receptacle;
mechanically transporting the receptacle to biological agent identifier apparatus wherein said identifier apparatus analyses the liquid sample for particles of a predetermined biological agent;
reporting the results of the analyses provided by the identifier apparatus to a predetermined location; and
,providing overall automated control of the method. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification