Fluorescent biological particle detection system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for identifying the existence of viable biological particles within an airstream containing a mixture of biologically viable end biologically inert particles, comprising:
- means for directing the particles individually and sequentially along a substantially linear path through air;
a source emitting an ultraviolet laser beam directed to contact each particle moving along its linear path in the air, said beam having a wavelength operative to excite biomolecules contained therein to produce fluorescence;
means for measuring the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from each particle and producing a signal indicative thereof; and
means for comparing each particle'"'"'s fluorescence intensity signal against pre-determined criteria and establishing whether that particle is a biologically viable particle or an inert particle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and apparatus are provided for detection of viable and potentially hazardous biological particles which may be dispersed in a particulate-containing airstream. The process comprises directing each of the contained particles along a linear path through air, in a sequential manner, and sampling them for determination of their size, whether they are biological and viable, and whether they are present in concentrations greater than background levels. The particle size identifies the particles as respirable or not and the particles are characterized as biological and viable by subjecting each particle in turn, to 340 nm, ultraviolet laser light and looking for the emission of fluorescence which is typically emitted from bacteria or bacterial spore. Fluorescence detected in the 400-540 nm range signals the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen, which is indicative of biological activity or viability.
165 Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for identifying the existence of viable biological particles within an airstream containing a mixture of biologically viable end biologically inert particles, comprising:
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means for directing the particles individually and sequentially along a substantially linear path through air; a source emitting an ultraviolet laser beam directed to contact each particle moving along its linear path in the air, said beam having a wavelength operative to excite biomolecules contained therein to produce fluorescence; means for measuring the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from each particle and producing a signal indicative thereof; and means for comparing each particle'"'"'s fluorescence intensity signal against pre-determined criteria and establishing whether that particle is a biologically viable particle or an inert particle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A process for detecting the existence of viable biological particles within a stream of air containing a mixture of biologically viable and biologically inert particles, comprising the steps of:
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(a) continuously processing the stream of air so as to direct the particles along a substantially linear path through air in a sequential manner; (b) contacting each particle with an ultraviolet laser beam having a wavelength suitable to excite biomolecules contained therein and produce fluorescence; (c) detecting fluorescence from the particle and establishing its intensity; (d) comparing the intensity of each particle'"'"'s fluorescence against pre-determined criteria so as to establishing whether that particle is biologically viable or is inert; and (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) for sequentially following particles. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification