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Pressure activated sampling system

  • US 7,204,125 B2
  • Filed: 03/24/2005
  • Issued: 04/17/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for screening items for contaminants, the system comprising:

  • first and second pressure chambers, the first pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a first item and the second pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a second item;

    at least one pressurized gas source connected to provide pressurized gas to the pressure chambers;

    valves connected to vent the pressure chambers to an ambient atmosphere;

    a controller operable to control pressurization of the pressure chambers by the at least one pressurized gas source and to control the valves to initiate rapid decompression of the pressure chambers;

    at least one sample collector positioned to collect samples of substances removed from the first and second items by the rapid decompression; and

    a trace-level contaminant detector operable to detect whether at least one contaminant is sampled by the at least one sample collector.

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