Apparatus and method for calibrating a trace detection portal
First Claim
1. A method for self-calibrating one or more components of a trace detection portal that includes a sample collection chamber, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal from a controller coupled with the trace detection portal;
releasing a predetermined amount of a substance from a calibrant container into the sample collection chamber in response to the signal received from the controller;
detecting and analyzing the substance;
identifying the substance as a calibrant; and
automatically initiating a self-calibration of one or more components of the trace detection portal in response to the identification of the calibrant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide novel, industrially applicable, and non-obvious apparatus and methods for automatically, routinely, and accurately calibrating a trace detection portal. Embodiments of the apparatus include a calibrant container; a substance (or substances) uniquely identifiable by a trace detection portal as a calibrant; unique placement of the calibrant container'"'"'s outlet relative to a substance collection port of a sample collection chamber; and/or computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, cause a consistent release of a measured amount of calibrant into the sample collection chamber upon command and/or at pre-determined time intervals.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for self-calibrating one or more components of a trace detection portal that includes a sample collection chamber, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal from a controller coupled with the trace detection portal; releasing a predetermined amount of a substance from a calibrant container into the sample collection chamber in response to the signal received from the controller; detecting and analyzing the substance; identifying the substance as a calibrant; and automatically initiating a self-calibration of one or more components of the trace detection portal in response to the identification of the calibrant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method, comprising:
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configuring a trace detection portal to detect and uniquely identify a calibrant and to automatically self-calibrate one or more components of the trace detection portal upon the identification of the calibrant from particles of interest collected from within a sample collection chamber of the trace detection portal; and coupling an outlet of a calibrant container with the sample collection chamber. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for calibrating a trace detection portal, the method comprising:
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providing a calibrant container having an outlet; and releasably storing a calibrant within the calibrant container, wherein the calibrant is a substance the trace detection portal is configured to detect and uniquely identity as a calibrant, and which causes one or more components of the trace detection portal to self-calibrate.
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Specification