Apparatus and method for chemical and biological agent sensing
First Claim
1. A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising:
- one or more tunable lasers;
a controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time; and
a detector disposed to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for identification of a chemical or a biological agent using a handheld or portable unit in non-laboratory conditions. More specifically, the system uses a portable unit containing an array of tunable lasers, which are stabilized with a digital controller. The apparatus excites the sample under test with a narrow band light source used to excite fluorescence. The fluorescent response is detected with a broadband detector and digitized. The information is then sent through wireless means to a remote server where a database of appropriate signatures is used to determine the identity of the sample. The results are sent back to the portable unit or to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising:
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one or more tunable lasers;
a controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time; and
a detector disposed to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising:
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means for illuminating a sample using one or more tunable lasers over a spectrum of wavelengths;
means for receiving light emitted from the illuminated sample; and
means for generating data based on the received light for analysis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample, the method comprising:
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providing light from one or more tunable lasers to a sample;
receiving light emitted from the sample resulting from said providing light;
generating data based on the received light; and
analyzing the data to determine bio-chemical information relating to the sample. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising:
a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising one or more tunable lasers;
a controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time;
a detector disposed to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample;
a transceiver connected to said detector, said transceiver configured to receive the data from said detector and transmit the data to another location for analysis; and
a communication hub in data communication with the plurality of sensors, said hub configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors and transmit the data to an analysis system to determine sample information.
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27. A method of manufacturing a portable sensor for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample, comprising:
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providing one or more tunable lasers;
coupling a controller to said one or more tunable lasers, said controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time; and
positioning a detector to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification