Method and apparatus for rapid detection of contraband and toxic materials by trace vapor detection using ion mobility spectrometry
First Claim
1. Apparatus for the detection of the presence of selected materials in an object by the extraction and analysis of vapor samples therefrom, comprising a sampling chamber adapted to accept the object;
- means for removing a portion of the vapor contents from the object and blending said removed portion with the surrounding atmosphere in said sampling chamber;
means for collecting the molecules of the selected materials from said mixture to create a test sample wherein the concentration of said molecules is substantially above the initial vapor concentration thereof; and
means for performing an analysis upon said test sample whereby the presence of said selected material is determined.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the detection and identification of the presence of chosen molecules, typically toxic or contraband located within sealed luggage and the like, comprises subjecting the sealed luggage to a process whereby a portion of the enclosed atmosphere within the luggage is extracted and combined with the surrounding atmosphere in a closed chamber. The extracted, combined sample is passed to a collector, typically a molecule adsorber, which concentrates the chosen molecules by collection on a collecting surface. After the end of a collection period, the adsorbed molecules are released from the surface and passed to an identifier, such as an ion mobility spectrometer. By use of appropriate collection and valving elements, analysis can be accomplished quickly and accurately for a large number of luggage items or the like subject to examination.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. Apparatus for the detection of the presence of selected materials in an object by the extraction and analysis of vapor samples therefrom, comprising a sampling chamber adapted to accept the object;
- means for removing a portion of the vapor contents from the object and blending said removed portion with the surrounding atmosphere in said sampling chamber;
means for collecting the molecules of the selected materials from said mixture to create a test sample wherein the concentration of said molecules is substantially above the initial vapor concentration thereof; and
means for performing an analysis upon said test sample whereby the presence of said selected material is determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- means for removing a portion of the vapor contents from the object and blending said removed portion with the surrounding atmosphere in said sampling chamber;
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15. A method for determining the presence of vapors a selected substance within closed baggage and the like, comprising the steps of
a) placing the baggage item within a sealed sampling chamber; -
b) extracting at least a portion of the gaseous contents of the baggage to the exterior of the baggage, whereby such contents is mixed with the atmosphere within said chamber; c) collecting the molecules of the desired substance from said mixture to create a sample, wherein the concentration of said molecules is substantially above the initial vapor concentration thereof; and d) analyzing said sample to determine the presence of said selected molecule. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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- 25. A vapor collector comprising a housing having an inlet at a first side and an outlet, a ribbon-like molecule collector means arranged within said housing in a layered manner, and means for circulating vapor-containing gas across the molecule collector means.
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35. The vapor collector of class 34 wherein said foil is of stainless steel.
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39. Apparatus for the analysis of baggage and the like for the presence of predetermined vapors, comprising
a baggage-analysis module comprising a first baggage-acceptance compartment and a second compartment, said first and second compartments being joined by a flexible, piston-forming wall; -
means for loading baggage into said first compartment for analysis and subsequently removing it therefrom; means for transferring at least a portion of the air from said first compartment to a vapor collector chamber; a vapor collector array located with said vapor collector chamber for collecting molecules of the predetermined vapors; means for removing the molecules of the predetermined vapors from said collector and transferring same to a vapor sensor; a vapor sensor for the analysis of said molecules; and means for varying the pressure within said second compartment whereby said piston-forming wall is driven to cause pressure variation within said first compartment to extract vapors from the interior of baggage placed therein and combine said vapors with the air of said first compartment. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification