Sensor comprising multi-wavelength LEDs
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a stationary phase collection media for collecting a sample;
a first plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for intermittently exposing said sample to electromagnetic radiation having a first peak wavelength;
a second plurality of light-emitting diodes LEDs for intermittently exposing said sample to electromagnetic radiation having a second peak wavelength that is different than said first peak wavelength;
circuitry for controlling operation of said first plurality of LEDs and said second plurality of LEDs to provide the intermittent exposure; and
a plurality of photodetectors for detecting fluorescent emissions from said sample resulting from the exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
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Abstract
The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is a system and a method for the detection and identification of biological agents. The system incorporates elements that enable it to obtain an air sample, extract particulates from the air sample onto a stationary-phase collection media, expose the particulates to electromagnetic radiation, and monitor for fluorescent emissions. In some embodiments, particulates are exposed to electromagnetic radiation using a plurality of LEDs, wherein some of the LEDs emit electromagnetic radiation at relatively shorter wavelengths and some other of the LEDs emit electromagnetic radiation at relatively longer wavelengths.
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19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a stationary phase collection media for collecting a sample; a first plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for intermittently exposing said sample to electromagnetic radiation having a first peak wavelength; a second plurality of light-emitting diodes LEDs for intermittently exposing said sample to electromagnetic radiation having a second peak wavelength that is different than said first peak wavelength; circuitry for controlling operation of said first plurality of LEDs and said second plurality of LEDs to provide the intermittent exposure; and a plurality of photodetectors for detecting fluorescent emissions from said sample resulting from the exposure to electromagnetic radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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obtaining a sample of air; passing said sample through collection media, wherein said collection media is capable of retaining at least some particulates that are contained in said sample; intermittently exposing said collection media with electromagnetic radiation having a first peak wavelength, wherein the exposure occurs at a first time; intermittently exposing said collection media with electromagnetic radiation having a second peak wavelength, wherein the exposure occurs at a second time, and wherein the second time is different from the first time; and monitoring said collection media for fluorescent emissions; and issuing an alert when, based on monitored fluorescent emissions, said biological agent is determined to be present in excess of an acceptable upper limit thereof. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification