Apparatus, systems and methods for detecting and transmitting sensory data over a computer network

• US 7,089,780 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Boehr, Christopher K., Nakayama, Robert K., Sunshine, Steven A., Steinthal, M. Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANK, RODNEY T
• Application Number:
  US10/976,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20050061056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/233.1, 73/233, 73/233.4, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/539.24, 340/539.26, 340/540, 340/632, 340/603, 340/541
• US Class Current: 73/23.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0217 Smoke, combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0256 Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0423 Surface waves, e.g. Rayleigh waves, Love waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0426 Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/022 Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices microdevices per se B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0009 General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment G01N1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0032 using two or more different physical functioning modes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor

Abstract

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor. These chemically sensitive resistors can each be connected in series with a reference resistor, between a reference voltage and ground, such that an analog signal is established for each chemically sensitive resistor. The resulting analog signals are supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, to produce corresponding digital signals. These digital signals are appropriately analyzed for vapor identification. The device can then subsequently transmit the digital signals over a computer network, such as the Internet, for analysis at a remote location.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of sensory devices configured to measure sensory data at a plurality of different locations, wherein said sensory devices are further configured to communicate the sensory data with a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a computer network, and

wherein said sensory data allows for detection or identification of a hazardous condition,

wherein at least one of said sensory devices includes a preconcentrator that includes adsorbent material, and wherein the adsorbent material attracts molecules from a chemical sample that is to be detected or identified by said at least one said sensory devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensory device is a handheld device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is implemented using technologies selected from the group consisting of infrared, radio waves, satellite and microwaves technologies.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensory data is a member selected from a group consisting of physical, chemical, taste, olfaction, optical olfaction, optical parameters or combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said hazardous condition is a hazardous leak, a hazardous spill, or a fugitive emission.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said hazardous condition is a hazardous level of an explosive, a refrigerant, a fumigant, formaldehyde, diesel fuel, gasoline fuel, aviation fuel, medical anesthesia, or sterilization gas.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said hazardous condition is a hazardous level of a bacteria or chemical.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said preconcentrator comprises:

means for heating said adsorbent material so as to desorb the chemical sample that has contacted said adsorbent material.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said means for heating comprises:

a tube within which said adsorbent material is provided; and

a wire that is wrapped around said tube,

wherein current is provided to said wire in order to apply heat to said tube, so as to desorb the chemical sample that has contacted said adsorbent material within said tube.

5. A system comprising:

a plurality of sensory devices configured to measure sensory data at a plurality of different locations, wherein said sensory devices are further configured to communicate the sensory data with a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a computer network, and

wherein said sensory data allows for detection or identification of a hazardous condition, and

wherein said sensory data relates to target-based pharmaceutical screening.