Sample container and system for a handheld spectrometer and method for using therefor
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Accused Products
Abstract
A container for holding a sample and a system and method for a handheld spectrometer using the container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the container includes a vial with an optical window at the base of the vial. A sample may be placed in the vial. A hollow plunger may be slidably inserted into the vial which seals the gap between the plunger and the walls of the vial. The plunger includes a filter element. When the plunger is inserted into the vial, the sample is forced against the optical window and the filter element vents liquid and/or gas that is in the vial into the hollow plunger. A portable or handheld system for detecting, for example, biothreat agents makes use of the container in order to determine a spectrum of the sample. The optical window of the container is preferably substantially transparent to photons illuminating the sample and to photons produced due to the interaction of the illuminating photons and the sample.
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Citations
73 Claims
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1-53. -53. (canceled)
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54. A device for holding a sample, comprising:
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an elongated hollow container open at a distal end and closed off at a proximal end by an optical window;
a hollow plunger configured to fit snugly into said hollow container via said open distal end and to slide within said hollow container so as to confine said sample in a first volume bounded by said hollow container, a bottom of the plunger, and said optical window; and
said plunger comprising a filter attached to said bottom of the plunger to thereby allow a gas or liquid contained within said hollow container with said sample to be substantially transferred to a second volume partially bounded by said hollow plunger as said plunger slides within said hollow container. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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58. A system for obtaining a spectrum of a sample, comprising:
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a device for holding said sample, said device comprising;
an elongated hollow container open at a distal end and closed off at a proximal end by an optical window;
a hollow plunger configured to fit snugly into said hollow container via said open distal end and to slide within said hollow container so as to confine said sample in a first volume bounded by said hollow container, said plunger, and said optical window;
said plunger comprising a filter attached to said bottom of the plunger to thereby allow a gas or liquid contained within said hollow container with said sample to be substantially transferred to a second volume partially bounded by said hollow plunger as said plunger slides within said hollow container;
an optical lens for directing first photons into a fiber optic array wherein said first photons are formed by an interaction between said sample and illuminating photons; and
said fiber optic array for directing said first photons to a photon detector to thereby obtain a spectrum of said sample. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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72. A method for obtaining a spectrum of a sample, comprising:
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holding said sample using a device comprising;
(a) an elongated hollow container open at a distal end and closed off at a proximal end by an optical window;
(b) a hollow plunger configured to fit snugly into said hollow container via said open distal end and to slide within said hollow container so as to confine said sample in a first volume bounded by said hollow container, said plunger, and said optical window;
(c) said plunger comprising a filter attached to said bottom of the plunger to thereby allow a gas or liquid contained within said hollow container with said sample to be substantially transferred to a second volume partially bounded by said hollow plunger as said plunger slides within said hollow container; and
collecting a plurality of first photons so as to obtain a measured spectrum of said sample wherein said first photons are formed by an interaction between said sample and illuminating photons. - View Dependent Claims (73)
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Specification