Sampling device

• US 20070137319A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.), Smiths Detection - Toronto Ltd. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nacson, Sabatino, Wiseman, Yuri, Kapitoulsky, Sergey, Ridjosic, Dragoljub
• Granted Patent: US 7,421,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/022 sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising

Abstract

A sampling apparatus and method of obtaining a sample are provided. The apparatus has a body, a head connected to the body, and a mechanism for retaining a substrate on the head. The apparatus enables an area to be sampled quickly and efficiently, while minimizing cross-contamination of a sample and incorrect placement of a sample in an analyzer.

Claims

1. A sampling device for collecting a sample on a substrate for analysis in an analyzer comprising:

a body, and

a sampling head arranged to hold the substrate, wherein the sampling device is arranged to be inserted into a sample receiving device so that the substrate is properly aligned within the analyzer for optimal or substantially optimal introduction of the sample into the analyzer.

2. The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the sampling head is detachable from the body.

3. The sampling device of claim 2, wherein the sampling head is arranged to remain within the analyzer during analysis of the sample.

4. The sampling device of claim 3, wherein the sampling head within the analyzer is a first sampling head, and wherein the sampling device is arranged to attach a second sampling head to the body while the first sampling head remains within the analyzer.

5. The sampling device of claim 2, further comprising a connecting mechanism that attaches the sampling head to the body, wherein the connecting mechanism can attach the sampling head to the body.

6. The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the sampling head includes an upper member and a lower member, and wherein the upper member and the lower member are arranged to hold the substrate between the upper member and the lower member.

7. The sampling device of claim 1, further comprising a counter that counts the number of desorption cycles for the sampling head.

8. The sampling device of claim 7, wherein the counter includes a display that displays the number of desorption cycles for the sampling head, and wherein the display is located on the sampling device or wherein the display is located on a device that is not the sampling device.

9. The sampling device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor that detects the amount of pressure exerted by the sampling device on an item from which a sample is obtained during collection of a sample, and a warning device that alerts an operator when the operator is employing insufficient pressure during sample collection.

10. The sampling device of claim 1, further comprising a swing arm that includes a swing head and a surface that presses against a surface of the substrate.

11. The sampling device of claim 1, wherein the sampling head is arranged for thermal desorption or desorption via infrared radiation.

12. A sampling head for collecting a sample comprising:

a sampling head arranged to hold a substrate, wherein the sampling head is arranged to be inserted into a sample receiving device so that the substrate is properly aligned within an analyzer for optimal or substantially optimal introduction of the sample into the analyzer.

13. The sampling head of claim 12, wherein the sampling head can attach to a body of a sampling device.

14. The sampling head of claim 12, wherein the sampling head includes an upper member and a lower member, and wherein the upper member and the lower member are arranged to hold the substrate between the upper member and the lower member.

15. The sampling head of claim 12, further comprising a counter that counts the number of desorption cycles for the sampling head.

16. The sampling head of claim 12, further comprising a pressure sensor that detects the amount of pressure exerted by the sampling device on an item from which a sample is obtained during collection of a sample, and a warning device that alerts an operator when the operator is employing insufficient pressure during sample collection.

17. A method of collecting a sample comprising:

mounting a substrate in a hand held sampling device that includes a body and a sampling head arranged to hold the substrate, wherein the sampling device is arranged to be inserted into an analyzer so that the substrate is properly aligned within the analyzer for optimal or substantially optimal introduction of the sample from the substrate,

manipulating the sampling device so that the substrate contacts a surface of interest, and

inserting the sampling head into the analyzer.