Particle detection using fluorescence
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A particle analyzer, comprising:
- a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol;
a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator;
a substrate adapted to mount the sample collection surface, the sample collection surface being at least partially thermally isolated from the substrate;
an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and
a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence.
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Abstract
Detection systems and methods for capturing and analyzing particles within a particle sample are provided. The detection system may include, for example, a particle concentrator that can be used to collect and concentrate particles on a sample collection surface, an energy source for providing energy to induce fluorescence in the particles, and a detector for detecting at least some fluorescence induced in the particles by the energy source. The detection system may include a heater and/or cooler for controlling the temperature of the particle sample during testing.
48 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; a substrate adapted to mount the sample collection surface, the sample collection surface being at least partially thermally isolated from the substrate; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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9. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator, the sample collection surface comprising carbon nanotubes; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence.
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10. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; an energy source lens adapted to direct the energy from the energy source to at least a portion of the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence.
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11. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; and a detection lens adapted to focus induced fluorescence on the detector.
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12. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence, the detector comprising an array of pixels. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence, wherein the detector includes a plurality of pixels sensitive to ultraviolet light and a plurality of pixels sensitive to visible light. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; and a controller that is configured to control operation of the energy source and the detector; wherein the controller is further configured to control a temperature modifying means that is thermally coupled to the sample collection surface in accordance with a programmed or programmable temperature profile.
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19. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; and a humidity controller for controlling the humidity level around the sample collection surface.
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20. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; and a pH controller for controlling the pH level at the sample collection surface. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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26. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; wherein the sample collection surface comprises an adsorbate.
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27. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; wherein the detector is adapted and configured to detect excitation fluorescence while being at least substantially blind to reflective energy from the energy source. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A particle analyzer, comprising:
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a particle concentrator adapted to collect and concentrate particles found within an aerosol; a sample collection surface adapted to accept particles provided by the particle concentrator; an energy source that provides energy that is adapted to induce fluorescence in the particles held by the sample collection surface; and a detector adapted to detect the induced fluorescence; wherein the detector is sensitive to a plurality of wavelengths.
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30. A particle analyzer device, comprising:
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a substrate; a sample collection surface disposed over the substrate for collecting particles provided to the particle analyzer device; and temperature adjusting means thermally coupled to the sample collection surface for adjusting the temperature of the sample collection surface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification