Claims
- 1. A method for separating particulates from a fluid, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a combined impact collector and fan disposed within a cavity having a port, said combined impact collector and fan being rotatable about an axis; (b) rotating the combined impact collector and fan about the axis; (c) drawing the fluid carrying the particulates into the cavity by causing the combined impact collector and fan to rotate; (d) separating the particulates from the fluid by impacting them with the combined impact collector and fan as it rotates; (e) rinsing the combined impact collector and fan with a rinse fluid; and (f) collecting a rinsate produced by rinsing said combined impact collector and fan, said rinsate comprising said rinse fluid and said particulates.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of rinsing comprises the step of rinsing the combined impact collector and fan with a rinse fluid while said combined impact collector and fan is rotating.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of collecting a rinsate comprises the step of directing said rinsate into a rinse fluid reservoir, such that said rinse fluid is recycled and again used for rinsing said combined impact collector and fan.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of rinsing comprises the step of rinsing the combined impact collector and fan with a rinse fluid after said combined impact collector and fan has been rotated for a predefined period of time.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said predefined period of time is determined as a function of the type of particulate being collected.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of rinsing comprises utilizing a rinse fluid that is not toxic to biological particulates, said method further comprising the step of thus enabling a collected sample to be cultured to determine a result.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of rinsing comprises utilizing at least one of a rinse fluid that includes a surfactant to reduce a surface tension of said rinse fluid, and a heated rinse fluid, thereby increasing an efficiency with which particulates are rinsed from the combined impact collector and fan.
- 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of stopping the rotation of said combined impact collector and fan before the step of rinsing.
- 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of removing said combined impact collector from a prime mover after stopping its rotation and before the step of rinsing.
- 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a rinse station, wherein the step of rinsing comprises the step of placing said combined impact collector in said rinse station.
- 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a rinse cassette, wherein the step of placing said combined impact collector into said rinse station comprises the steps of inserting said combined impact collector and fan into said rinse cassette; and then placing said rinse cassette in said rinse station.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of rinsing further comprises the step of rotating said combined impact collector and fan within said rinse cassette during rinsing, to aid in removing said particulates from said combined impact collector.
- 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of rinsing further comprises the step of applying an ultrasonic pulse to said rinse cassette during rinsing, to aid in removing said particulates from said combined impact collector.
- 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a biocidal decontamination fluid; and flushing said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity with said biocidal decontamination fluid before the step of rotating said combined impact collector.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the biocidal decontamination fluid comprises at least one of a bleach solution, a hydrogen peroxide solution, a protein decomposing solution, and a nucleic acid decomposing solution.
- 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the biocidal decontamination fluid comprises a fluid that does not interfere with a selected detection method.
- 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of flushing comprises the step of flushing any fluid lines that are in fluid communication with said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity with the biocidal decontamination fluid.
- 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of flushing comprises the step of collecting spent biocidal decontamination fluid produced by said step of flushing, in a spent biocidal decontamination fluid reservoir.
- 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of providing a neutralizing fluid; and flushing said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity with said neutralizing fluid, after the step of flushing with said biocidal decontamination fluid, and before the step of rotating said combined impact collector.
- 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of providing a sterile fluid; and flushing said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity with said sterile fluid, after the step of flushing with said neutralizing fluid, and before the step of rotating said combined impact collector.
- 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling a user to selectively control a length of time during which said combined impact collector is rotating.
- 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of enabling a user to selectively control a manner in which the step of rinsing is carried out, including at least one of the following:
(a) rinsing while said combined impact collector and fan is rotating; (b) rinsing after said combined impact collector has stopped rotating; (c) rinsing with said rinsate, thereby recycling the rinsate; and (d) rinsing for a time period selected by a user.
- 23. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling a user to control a decontamination of the combined impact collector and fan and of the cavity, by enabling the user to select at least one of the following options:
(a) decontaminating said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity prior to the step of rotating said combined impact collector; (b) decontaminating said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity after the step of rinsing and after said rinsate has been collected; and (c) decontaminating said combined impact collector and fan and said cavity after a predefined number of cycles of the step of rotating, rinsing and collecting have occurred.
- 24. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of furnishing said combined impact collector, said cavity, a biocidal decontamination fluid reservoir, a rinse fluid reservoir, and a rinsate collection reservoir as an integrated unit.
- 25. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing an analytical unit for use in testing said rinsate.
- 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said analytical unit is capable of detecting anthrax.
- 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said analytical unit comprises a disposable unit specifically adapted to detect a specific particulate.
- 28. The method of claim 25, wherein said analytical unit comprises a disposable micro-fluidic unit.
- 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said analytical unit uses a immunoassay-based detection system.
- 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said immlnoassay-based detection system comprises at least one of a cytometry based detection system and a fluorescence-based detection system.
- 31. The method of claim 25, wherein said analytical unit uses a nucleic acid-based detection system.
- 32. A portable impact particle collector for separating particulates from a gaseous fluid in which the particulates are entrained, comprising:
(a) a prime mover having a drive shaft that is drivingly rotated; (b) a power supply that energizes said prime mover; (c) a primary housing substantially enclosing said prime mover and said power supply; (d) a combined impact collector and fan that is coupled to said drive shaft and is drivingly rotated thereby within a cavity; (e) an inlet port through which said gaseous fluid in which the particulates are entrained is drawn into said cavity by rotation of the combined impact collector and fan, said combined impact collector and fan collecting said particulates entrained in the gaseous fluid as they impact upon surfaces of the combined impact collector and fan that is rotating, thereby separating said particulates from the gaseous fluid; and (f) a control operatively connected to control actuation of said prime mover with said power supply, adapted to enable a user to selectively energize said prime mover.
- 33. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan comprises a plurality of arcuate-shaped vanes.
- 34. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan includes a ferromagnetic element that is magnetically coupled to the shaft of said prime mover.
- 35. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is disposed outside of said primary housing.
- 36. The portable impact particle collector of claim 35, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is removably coupled to said primary housing, which includes surface features that aid in the positioning of said combined impact collector and fan when the combined impact collector and fan are coupled to the primary housing.
- 37. The portable impact particle collector of claim 35, further comprising a secondary housing generally covering said combined impact collector and fan to define the cavity.
- 38. The portable impact particle collector of claim 37, wherein said secondary housing is pivotally connected to said primary housing.
- 39. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is removable and disposable, being thereby adapted to be replaced by a user after a defined period of use.
- 40. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein a fluid passage is coupled to said combined impact collector and fan to form an integrated unit.
- 41. The portable impact particle collector of claim 40, wherein said integrated unit includes an upper portion and a lower portion that define the cavity, said combined impact collector and fan being disposed between said upper portion and said lower portion and being freely rotatable therein.
- 42. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein at least one of said lower portion and said combined impact collector and fan are fabricated from a self-lubricating material.
- 43. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, further comprising an electronic controller electrically coupled to the control and to said prime mover.
- 44. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan comprises a disc having a plurality of arcuate shaped vanes disposed on its upper surface.
- 45. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is fabricated from a plastic capable of maintaining its structural integrity while being rotated at a speed in excess of five thousand revolutions per minute.
- 46. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, further comprising:
(a) a rinse fluid reservoir adapted to contain a volume of rinse fluid; (b) a first fluid line coupling said rinse fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said combined impact collector and fan; (c) a sample collection reservoir that receives a rinse fluid used to rinse particulates from said combined impact collector and fan; and (d) a second fluid line coupling said sample collection reservoir in fluid communication with said combined impact collector and fan.
- 47. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, further comprising a detection unit that is capable of identifying at least one particulate.
- 48. The portable impact particle collector of claim 47, wherein said detection unit is capable of detecting a biological pathogen.
- 49. The portable impact particle collector of claim 47, wherein said detection unit comprises a disposable cartridge incorporating a plurality of micro-fluidic channels.
- 50. The portable impact particle collector of claim 49, wherein said rinse fluid reservoir and said sample collection fluid reservoir are disposed in said disposable cartridge detection unit.
- 51. The portable impact particle collector of claim 49, wherein said disposable cartridge detection unit employs at least one of cytometry and fluoresence to identify specific particulates.
- 52. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, further comprising a decontamination fluid reservoir, adapted to contain a fluid capable of decontaminating said combined impact collector and fan, and a decontamination fluid line coupling said decontamination fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said combined impact collector and fan.
- 53. The portable impact particle collector of claim 52, wherein said rinse fluid reservoir, said decontamination fluid reservoir, and said collection fluid reservoir are disposed in a disposable fluid cartridge.
- 54. The portable impact particle collector of claim 53, wherein said disposable fluid cartridge is disposed outside said primary housing.
- 55. The portable impact particle collector of claim 53, wherein said first fluid line, said second fluid line, and said decontamination fluid line are disposed within said primary housing.
- 56. The portable impact particle collector of claim 55, further comprising a plurality of valves, each of which is coupled to one of said first fluid line, said second fluid line, and said decontamination fluid line, to control fluid flow therein.
- 57. The portable impact particle collector of claim 56, further comprising an electronic controller functionally coupled to said control, said plurality of valves, and said prime mover.
- 58. The portable impact particle collector of claim 53, further comprising a diagnostic cartridge, adapted to providing an indication of whether said portable impact particle collector is functioning properly.
- 59. The portable impact particle collector of claim 58, wherein said diagnostic cartridge comprises a plurality of fluid reservoirs, at least some of which include markings that indicate whether an expected volume of fluid has been processed by the portable impact particle collector based upon a fluid level in the plurality of fluid reservoirs.
- 60. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, wherein said rinse fluid reservoir and said sample collection reservoir are combined into a single reservoir, so that a rinse fluid is recycled.
- 61. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, further comprising a plurality of valves coupled to said rinse fluid reservoir and said sample collection reservoir, such that a flow of fluid from said rinse fluid reservoir and into said sample collection reservoir is selectively controlled.
- 62. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, further comprising a pump that draws rinse fluid from said rinse fluid reservoir and forces said fluid onto said combined impact collector through the first fluid line.
- 63. The portable impact particle collector of claim 62, wherein said pump further draws fluid from said combined impact collector and fan and forces said fluid into said sample collection reservoir through said second fluid line.
- 64. The portable impact particle collector of claim 62, wherein the pump is driven by the prime mover.
- 65. The portable impact particle collector of claim 62, wherein the pump is driven independently of the prime mover.
- 66. The portable impact particle collector of claim 46, wherein said rinse fluid comprises water.
- 67. The portable impact particle collector of claim 66, wherein said rinse fluid further comprises a surfactant to reduce surface tension, and thus, to enhance the removal of particulates adhering to said combined impact collector and fan.
- 68. The portable impact particle collector of claim 66, wherein said rinse fluid further comprises a phosphate buffer solution.
- 69. The portable impact particle collector of claim 52, wherein the decontamination fluid comprises at least one of a hydrogen peroxide solution and a bleach solution.
- 70. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein the gaseous fluid comprises air that is sampled from an ambient environment.
- 71. The portable impact particle collector of claim 32, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is coated with a substance to which the particulates adhere when the substance is dry, said substance releasing the particulates when wetted with a rinse fluid.
- 72. The portable impact particle collector of claim 71, wherein said substance comprises at least one of gelatin and sugar.
- 73. A portable system for separating particulates from a fluid, and testing said particulates to determine if a specific type of particulate has been separated from said fluid, comprising:
(a) a portable combined impact collector and fan-based sampling unit that separates particulates from a fluid, said sampling unit comprising:
(i) a fluid passage for conveying said gaseous fluid in which the particulates are entrained, said fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet; (ii) a rotatably driven combined impact collector and fan disposed within said fluid passage, such that rotation of said combined impact collector and fan both draws the gaseous fluid into the fluid passage toward said combined impact collector and fan, and collects said particulates entrained in the gaseous fluid as they impact upon surfaces of the combined impact collector and fan, thereby separating said particulates from the gaseous fluid; (iii) a prime mover having a drive shaft that is drivingly coupled to said combined impact collector and fan, said combined impact collector being rotated thereby; (iv) a power supply electrically coupled to said prime mover, said power supply energizing said prime mover; and (v) a primary housing substantially enclosing said prime mover and said power supply; and (b) a detection unit capable of identifying a specific particulate that has been separated from said gaseous fluid.
- 74. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said detection unit detects at least one of a biological pathogen, a biological toxin, an allergen, a mold, and a fungi.
- 75. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said detection unit comprises a plurality of micro-fluidic channels.
- 76. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said detection unit employs at least one of cytometry, immuno assay, and nucleic acid based detection for detecting the specific particulate.
- 77. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said detection unit comprises a disposable detection cartridge.
- 78. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said fluid passage and said combined impact collector and fan comprise a disposable sample cartridge.
- 79. The portable system of claim 78, wherein said combined impact collector and fan is magnetically coupled to said prime mover.
- 80. The portable system of claim 78, wherein said disposable sample cartridge is disposed outside said primary housing.
- 81. The portable system of claim 78, further comprising a rinse cartridge into which said disposable sample cartridge is placed after particulates have been separated from said gaseous fluid and before said detection unit has analyzed the separated particulates.
- 82. The portable system of claim 81, wherein said rinse cartridge comprises a pinch valve that prevents a rinsate from being discharged from the rinse cartridge until said pinch valve is actuated.
- 83. The portable system of claim 81, wherein said rinse cartridge has an interior volume that is larger than an external volume of said disposable sample cartridge, such that only a predefined volume of rinse fluid can be added to said rinse cartridge after a disposable sample cartridge is inserted into said rinse cartridge.
- 84. The portable system of claim 83, wherein said predefined volume of rinse fluid comprises less than five milliliters.
- 85. The portable system of claim 78, further comprising a rinse station for producing a liquid sample containing particulates collected by said disposable sample cartridge.
- 86. The portable system of claim 85, wherein said rinse station comprises a lateral flow disc for collecting said liquid sample.
- 87. The portable system of claim 85, wherein said rinse station comprises an ultrasonic unit for applying ultrasonic waves to said disposable sample cartridge, to aid in removing particulates from said combined impact collector and fan.
- 88. The portable system of claim 85, wherein said rinse station comprises a prime mover for rotating said combined impact collector and fan portion of said disposable sample cartridge, to aid in removing particulates from said combined impact collector and fan.
- 89. The portable system of claim 85, wherein said rinse station comprises a vibrating unit for vibrating said disposable sample cartridge, to aid in removing particulates from said combined impact collector and fan.
- 90. The portable system of claim 85, wherein said rinse station comprises:
(a) a rinse fluid reservoir adapted to store a volume of rinse fluid; (b) a disposable sample cartridge holder that secures said disposable sample cartridge during rinsing; (c) a rinse fluid line coupling said rinse fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said disposable sample cartridge holder, such that a desired volume of rinse fluid is delivered to said disposable sample cartridge holder; (d) a pump that delivers the desired volume of rinse fluid from said rinse fluid reservoir to said disposable sample cartridge holder, said pump being coupled in fluid communication with said rinse fluid reservoir and said rinse fluid line; and (e) a liquid sample collection reservoir that collects a rinsate from said disposable sample cartridge holder, said rinsate including particulates that were collected by said combined impact collector, said liquid sample collection reservoir being in fluid communication with said disposable sample cartridge holder.
- 91. The portable system of claim 73, wherein said sampling unit further comprises:
(a) a rinse fluid reservoir adapted to contain a volume of rinse fluid; (b) a first fluid line coupled in fluid communication with said rinse fluid reservoir and said combined impact collector; (c) a sample collection reservoir that is sized to contain a volume of rinse fluid used to rinse particulates from said combined impact collector and fan; and (d) a second fluid line in fluid communication with said sample collection reservoir and said combined impact collector and fan.
- 92. The portable system of claim 91, wherein said sampling unit further comprises a decontamination fluid reservoir sized to contain a fluid used for decontaminating said combined impact collector and fan, and a decontamination fluid line in fluid communication with said decontamination fluid reservoir and said combined impact collector and fan.
- 93. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said rinse fluid reservoir, said decontamination fluid reservoir, and said collection fluid reservoir are disposed in a disposable fluid cartridge.
- 94. The portable system of claim 93, wherein said disposable fluid cartridge is disposed outside said primary housing.
- 95. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said first fluid line, said second fluid line, and said decontamination fluid line are disposed within said primary housing.
- 96. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said sampling unit further comprises a plurality of valves coupled to said first fluid line, said second fluid line and said decontamination fluid line, to independently control fluid flow therein.
- 97. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said sampling unit further comprises an electronic controller functionally coupled to at least one control, said plurality of valves, and said prime mover.
- 98. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said sampling unit further comprises a diagnostic cartridge used to indicate whether said portable system is functioning properly.
- 99. The portable system of claim 98, wherein said diagnostic cartridge comprises a plurality of fluid reservoirs, at least some of which include markings that indicate an expected minimum volume of fluid that should be in the fluid reservoirs if the portable system is operating properly.
- 100. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said rinse fluid reservoir and said sample collection reservoir are combined into a single reservoir to hold a rinse fluid that is recycled.
- 101. The portable system of claim 92, wherein said sampling unit further comprises a pump that draws fluid from said rinse fluid reservoir and forces said fluid onto said combined impact collector through the first fluid line.
- 102. The portable system of claim 101, wherein said pump is further capable of drawing fluid from said combined impact collector and forcing said fluid into said sample collection reservoir through said second fluid line.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/265,619 filed Mar. 10, 1999, the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120.
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
[0002] This invention was made under contract with the United States Department of Defense, under Contract Nos. DAAM01-97-C-0036 and M67854-00-C-3023, and the United States government may have certain rights in the invention.
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09265619 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
09775872 |
Feb 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09265620 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
09775872 |
Feb 2001 |
US |