Apparatus and Method of Washed Hand and Object Detection

• US 20110094289A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur T. Jones Jr
• Original Assignee: Arthur T. Jones Jr
• Inventors: Jones, Arthur T. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,481,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/23.34
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2226 Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/06 Investigating concentration of particle suspensions by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/00 Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0011 Sample conditioning preparing specimens for investigation G01N1/28

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for contaminant detection of body parts, such as hands, and or their coverings, such as clean room suits or gloves, and small objects. Particularly, the method and apparatus involve collecting air samples containing aerosolized contaminate particles from the objects and analyzing the sample for presence of a contaminate. Aerosol lab-on-a-chip and/or electronic nose devices are utilized for the detection of contaminant particles.

Claims

1. A method for detecting hand cleansing activity comprising:

a) placing at least one hand inside a hand cleaning detector apparatus;

b) collecting air from the at least one hand into an aerosol detection unit; and

c) analyzing the collected air to determine the presence of an odor marker of hand cleaner, germicide, or antibacterial material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the aerosol detector is an ALOC detector.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the aerosol detector is an electronic nose detector.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising using RF signals to identify a subject using a hand cleaning detector apparatus.

5. A method for detecting hand washing comprising:

a) placing cleanser containing an odor marker on at least one hand;

b) placing at least one hand in proximity to a detector for examination;

c) collecting air surrounding the at least one hand; and

d) analyzing the collected air by use of the detector to determine the presence of aerosolized particles of the odor marker in the collected air from the hands.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising using a monitoring device including card reader technology.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising using RF technology or bar code readers.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the hand washing detector apparatus transmitting the detection of odor marker results and identification tag reader to an internal database.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising transmitting the odor marker results and identification tag reader by telemetry.

10. An apparatus for detecting the hand cleansing activity comprising:

a) an odor marker unit comprising a hand cleaner, germicide, or antibacterial containing an odor marker;

b) a cleaning detector apparatus with a space to insert one or both hands;

c) a collector unit; and

d) a detector unit in fluid connection with said collector unit.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising an air handling unit disposed to create air flow across at least one hand and into said collector.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the detector unit comprises an ALOC or electronic nose.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an identification tag reader.

14. The identification tag reader of claim 13 uses an RF signal to read the identity of a subject using the apparatus from a tag worn by the subject.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a telemetry unit in electrical connection with said detector unit.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a controller unit is in electrical connection with said detector unit.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a controller unit is in electrical connection with said telemetry unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said collector unit comprises a collecting surface, and wherein said collecting surface comprises at least one air inlet.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said collecting surface comprises at least one funnel-type device surrounding said air inlet.

20. A method of monitoring hand cleaning comprising the steps of:

a) placing at least one hand into a cleaning detector apparatus;

b) using an identification detector to identify the subject having placed at least one hand into the cleaning detector apparatus;

c) analyzing the air collected in the aerosol detecting unit for the presence of an odor marker from a hand cleaner, germicide, or antibacterial material; and

d) recording the subject identity and results of the air collection analysis.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising granting access to an area upon the detection of an odor marker in the air collection analysis.

22. An apparatus for detecting cleansing activity upon an object or utensil comprising

a) a utensil cleaner, germicide, or antibacterial material containing an odor marker;

b) a cleaning detector apparatus comprising a collector unit, an air handling unit and detector unit;

c) the detector unit in fluid connection with said collector unit; and

d) the air handling unit comprising at least one air nozzle capable of being disposed within a cavity of an object placed in the cleaning detector apparatus

23. An apparatus for detecting cleansing activity comprising:

a) a hand cleanser, utensil cleaner, germicide or antibacterial material containing an odor marker;

b) a cleaning detector apparatus comprising a collection unit and detection unit;

c) the detector unit in fluid connection with said collector unit;

d) a light display to indicate when the cleaning detector apparatus is ready for use and a “

pass” and

“

fail”

lights that light up after analysis of cleaning detection.