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System and method of aerosolized agent capture and detectionSystem and method of aerosolized agent capture and detection description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070019193, System and method of aerosolized agent capture and detection. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/437,962, filed May 14, 2003 and hereby claims priority thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the capture and detection of aerosolized agents, such as, for example, chemical or biological biowarfare agents, and, more particularly to systems for and methods of continuous sampling and analysis of aerosol samples potentially containing such agents. [0003] As the anthrax mailings of October of 2001 demonstrated, a number of vectors are available to the terrorist bent on social disruption. Biological warfare agents have long been a domestic terror concern and the use of the mails as a delivery method has many serious consequences. Not only are mail recipients at risk, but all those who handle or are in the vicinity of the mail piece during processing are at risk as well. In the extreme case, a few strategically posted items could bring a nation's postal administration, such as the United States Postal Service, to a complete halt. If mail delivery were to cease, even for a few days, the impact to trade, commerce, finance and general communication is incalculable. [0004] Thus, it is desirable to capture and identify aerosolized particulate matter that may issue from sources requiring monitoring. Such sources could include mail pieces being sorted or otherwise processed, building ventilation systems, import and export cargo and military point detection systems. [0005] Prior attempts to detect and identify pathogens in the mail use chemical or bio fluorescence methods. An example of a chemical method is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is a DNA amplification technique that has been used successfully in laboratory environments in recent years. PCR is a powerful and useful technique but it does not generate results in real-time. The fastest PCR systems require a minimum of 30-60 minutes to process a sample and render a result. This time lag is problematic, as the mail piece containing the hazard will have traveled further down stream potentially affecting postal workers or postal customers. Other techniques using multi spectral ultra-violet (UV) fluorescence techniques may render a result quickly, but are prone to false alarms and are often non-specific relative to the threat. For example, non-threatening biological particulate in the right size range will typically cause a UV sensor system to indicate a false positive detection. Also, even if hazardous particles are correctly detected, UV based sensors will typically indicate the presence of the threat without specifically identifying the agent. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention describes systems for and methods of capturing and rapidly identifying aerosolized particulate matter in fluid samples to be analyzed, such as, for example, hazardous agents issued from mail pieces during sorting and other processing steps. The invention is applicable to a range of uses outside of the mailing industry, including building ventilation systems, checking import and export cargo by customs officials and military point detection systems. The system provides this timely notification without the possible false alarms inherent in many of the systems described above. [0007] The present invention provides a sample capture tape and an aerosolized agent detector employing the tape, the detector including a dispenser having a fluid sample input port and an exit port for providing a concentrated particle stream, an analyzer providing real-time detection of aerosolized agents, and a means for advancing a section of the tape from the vicinity of the dispenser exit port to the analyzer. The sample capture tape includes a data storage portion, and the tape is oriented and configured to receive the particle stream from the dispenser exit port and collect selected particles on one or more collecting portions. An encoder stores information relative to the fluid samples' collection and analysis on the data storage portion. [0008] The one or more sample collection portions of the capture tape further comprises an immediate analysis portion and an optional sample preservation portion. A wide variety of alternate approaches are available in capturing the desired particles. For example, the sample collection portions may be comprised of permeable filter, adhesive-coated or electrically charged materials, or may be comprised of a material with a surface incorporating microscopic features designed to capture particles impinged thereupon. Other capturing mechanisms will be readily apparent to artisans and are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. [0009] The particle stream exiting the dispenser preferably, though not exclusively, impinges nearly perpendicularly on the sample collection portions of the sample collection tape. In one preferred embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a virtual impactor for pre-concentrating the particle stream. As will be described in detail below, various configurations are allowed for in which the particle stream impinges from either side of the sample capture tape. [0010] In certain embodiments, the means for advancing the sample capture tape comprises a reel-to-reel like system, wherein the sample capture tape is provided on a source reel and a take-up reel pulls the tape at the desired rate, or in indexed intervals, through the path of the particle stream. The collection process can, thus, continue in an uninterrupted fashion even as the sample capture tape is in the process of advancing. A sterile tape reel may additionally be employed to interleave a sterile enclosing layer between the sample collection tape layers on the take-up reel. [0011] The analyzer, in preferred embodiments, is comprised of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic (LIBS) system adapted to differentiate between spectra elements attributable to portions of vaporized sample capture tape and spectra elements attributable to various potentially hazardous agent particles. [0012] The present invention provides a method of continuous detection of aerosolized agents comprising the steps of: providing a source of sample capture tape comprised of at least a first collection portion and a data storage portion; collecting particles by impinging a particle-laden aerosol stream on the first collection portion; advancing the first collection portion from the particle stream to an analyzer; analyzing in real-time the particles collected on the first collection portion; and electronically encoding information on the data storage portion related to the sample collection and analysis. The method efficiency is enhanced by optionally pre-concentrating the fluid to be analyzed to form the particle-laden aerosol stream. The advancement of the sample capture tape allows the collection process to continue in an uninterrupted fashion, and synchronization between collection and analysis allows continuous detection. [0013] The method may further include the step of collecting samples from the particle-laden stream on a second collection portion of the sample capture tape at a time nearly simultaneous with the sample collecting on the first portion, and preserving the samples collected on the second collection portion. The preservation may be effected by covering the particles collected on the second collection portion with a sterile tape, such as an interleaving reel-to-reel configuration as described in more detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING [0014] FIG. 1 is diagrammatic view of a an aerosolized agent detecting system configured for use with mail processing equipment. [0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric schematic diagram of an aerosolized agent detecting system employing an optional sterile tape. [0016] FIG. 3A is an isometric view of sample capture tape in roll form depicting multiple portions thereof. [0017] FIGS. 3B-D are diagrammatic views of various embodiments of materials usable as collection portions of the sample capture tape. [0018] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operational functions of an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 5 is an isometric schematic diagram of an alternate collection mechanism designed for continuous collection to eliminate the possibility that an event might be lost during the collection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continue reading about System and method of aerosolized agent capture and detection... Full patent description for System and method of aerosolized agent capture and detection Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and method of aerosolized agent capture and detection patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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