INTEGRATED MOLD DETECTOR
First Claim
1. A handheld device for detecting the presence of biological particles in an air sample comprising:
- (a) an optical detection assembly comprising a UV light source and a visible light detector;
(b) a pump for drawing air into said handheld device;
(c) a means for controlling the operation of said optical detection assembly and said pump;
(d) a housing holding said optical detection assembly, said pump, and said means for controlling integrated within said housing; and
(e) wherein said device is adapted to collect a sample, test said sample with said optical detection assembly, and retain said sample for further testing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A handheld device for detecting the presence of biological and chemical airborne particles. The device collects a sample by drawing air in through a filter that allows air t pass through but collects particles in the air that are larger than the pore size of the filter, which may be selected to meet the user'"'"'s needs. The filter is then subjected to an optical detection assembly that utilizes UV light directed on the filter and detects visible light emitted by any collected particles via a photomultiplier tube. Prior to collecting a sample, the filter is subjected to the optical detection assembly to generate a baseline reading, which is compared with the test results of the collected sample to determine the presence or absence of particles, such as mold.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A handheld device for detecting the presence of biological particles in an air sample comprising:
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(a) an optical detection assembly comprising a UV light source and a visible light detector; (b) a pump for drawing air into said handheld device; (c) a means for controlling the operation of said optical detection assembly and said pump; (d) a housing holding said optical detection assembly, said pump, and said means for controlling integrated within said housing; and (e) wherein said device is adapted to collect a sample, test said sample with said optical detection assembly, and retain said sample for further testing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of detecting the presence of particles in an air sample comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating a baseline test of a filter for the presence of biological particles prior to collecting a sample; (b) collecting said sample by drawing air through said filter such that a surface of said filter collects particles in said air; (c) testing said sample for the presence of biological particles; (d) comparing said baseline test with said test of said sample for the difference in the number of biological particles present in said baseline test and test of said sample. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification