A method of calibrating an optical particle counter may include performing first and second calibration procedures. The first calibration procedure may include performing sensitivity calibration and/or channel size calibration of the optical particle counter under calibration using a monodispersed particle standard. The second calibration procedure may include sample volume calibration. The sample volume calibration may include: flowing a polydispersed particle calibration sample dispersed in a fluid through the optical particle counter under calibration to produce a first signal output; flowing the polydispersed particle calibration sample dispersed in the fluid through a reference optical particle counter to produce a reference signal output; comparing the first signal output with the reference signal output; and adjusting, in response to the comparing, an effective sample volume parameter stored in a computer readable memory of the optical particle counter under calibration.
Provided herein are systems and methods for sampling of controlled environments, including automated and/or robotically controlled sampling. The present systems and methods are useful for determining the presence of, quantity, size, concentration, viability, species or characteristics of particles, including viable biological particles, within a controlled environment. The described systems and methods may utilize rotational motion via robotics, automation and/or control systems to reduce, or eliminate, some or all of the steps carried out by human operators in traditional particle collection and/or analysis methodologies. The described systems and methods may rotational motion via robotics, automation and/or control systems to provide for particle sampling over time periods that are well-defined for an individual impactor and/or sequential sampling via a plurality of impactors.
A particle detection system may include a light source, a first beam splitter, a particle interrogation zone, a reflecting surface, a second beam splitter, a first photodetector, and a second photodetector. The first beam splitter may be configured to split the source beam into an interrogation beam and a reference beam. The particle interrogation zone may be disposed in the path of the interrogation beam. The reflecting surface may be configured to reflect the interrogation beam back on itself. The second beam splitter may be configured to: (i) receive the reference beam and side scattered light from one or more particles interacting with the interrogation beam in the particle interrogation zone; and (ii) produce a first component beam and second component beam. The first photodetector may be configured to detect the first component beam. The second photodetector may be configured to detect the second component beam.
G01N 21/53 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
G01N 21/63 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
G01N 21/94 - Investigating contamination, e.g. dust
4.
OPTICAL ISOLATOR STABILIZED LASER OPTICAL PARTICLE DETECTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A particle detection system may include a laser optical source providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation, one or more beam shaping elements for receiving the beam of electromagnetic radiation, an optical isolator disposed in the path of the beam, a particle interrogation zone disposed in the path of the beam, wherein particles in the particle interrogation zone interact with the beam of electromagnetic radiation, and a first photodetector configured to detect light scattered and/or transmitted from the particle and a controller configured to adjust the beam power based on a signal from the second photodetector, wherein the optical isolator is configured to filter optical feedback.
Disclosed is a liquid impinger, for example a liquid impinger, particularly a disposable liquid impinger. The liquid impinger comprises, for example, at least one nozzle positioned in the interior and attached to the bottom portion. In some aspects, the liquid impinger comprises a polymeric material. Also disclosed are methods of making the liquid impinger comprising, for example, forming at least two components, assembling the at least two components into the liquid impinger, filling the liquid impinger with liquid, and exposing the filled liquid impinger to radiation for sterilization prior to use. Also disclosed are methods of using the liquid impinger, for example, by transporting a gas comprising analytes through the liquid impinger and transferring at least a portion of the analytes from the gas into the liquid contained therein. The method further comprises, for example, after transferring analytes form the gas into the liquid, incubating and/or detecting at least a portion of the analytes in the liquid without removing the liquid from the liquid impinger.
Disclosed is a method for detecting and/or growing particles, comprising controlling the surface area exposed to the saturator region by monitoring at least one of a depth of the working liquid on the saturator surface, the surface area exposed to the saturator region, or a volume of the working liquid on the saturator surface. Also disclosed is an apparatus or system for detecting and/or growing particles, comprising a fluidics system configured to control the surface area exposed to the saturator region by monitoring at least one of a depth of the working liquid on the saturator surface, the surface area exposed to the saturator region, or a volume of the working liquid on the saturator surface. Certain aspects do not employ one or more porous structures for vapor generation, nor a separate carrier fluid flow or inlet comprising a carrier fluid and vaporized working liquid for combining with the sample flow in the saturator region.
F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
G01N 15/06 - Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
B05C 3/02 - Apparatus in which the work is brought into contact with a bulk quantity of liquid or other fluent material the work being immersed in the liquid or other fluent material
Modular docking station and methods for sampling and monitoring gas and other fluids, where a sampling device is able to be removably attached to the docking station, thereby allowing the sampling device to be replaced without having to remove or disconnect the docking station from the rest of the sampling system. This allows the docking station to remain connected to the rest of the system with minimal or no interruption and reduces maintenance costs and time when replacing the sampling device.
A manifold system and methods of collecting samples, where the manifold system comprises multiple input sample ports and a preferably rotatable flow focusing element. The manifold system is able to sample aerosols and gases from multiple sample points, such as from cleanrooms and manufacturing environments, for collection and analysis. The flow focusing element reduces cross talk and cross contamination of particles, including nanoparticles, between different samples.
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
G01N 27/62 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
Particle detection systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a particle detection system comprises an incident beam light source that emits an incident beam, a particle interrogation zone disposed in the path of the incident beam, a photodetector disposed to detect the incident beam after passing through the particle interrogation zone, a pump beam light source for emitting a pump beam, the pump beam being targeted at the particle interrogation zone, wherein the incident beam, the pump beam, and photodetector are arranged such that the photodetector is configured to detect a combination of light from the incident beam, scattered light due to incident beam scattering in the particle interrogation zone, and scattered light due to pump beam scattering in the particle interrogation zone.
Devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors including a sampling head comprising one or more intake apertures, a selectively removable cover, an impactor base connected to the sampling head, and one or more magnets fixed to the sampling head, the selectively removable cover and/or the impactor base. The one or more magnets allow for robotic manipulation of the impactor devices.
The present invention relates to interferometric detection of particles and optical detection of particles having size dimensions less than or equal to 100 nm. Systems and methods are provided exhibiting enhanced alignment and stability for interferometric detection of particles and/or optical detection of particles having size dimensions less than or equal to 100 nm. Systems and methods are provided that include compensation means for mitigating the impact of internal and external stimuli and changes in operating conditions that can degrade the sensitivity and reliability of particle detection via optical methods, including interferometric-based techniques and/or systems for optical detection of particles having size dimensions less than or equal to 100 nm.
Provided are particle analyzers and related methods for verifying calibration status of the particle analyzer, including independently of the presence or absence of particles. The method and analyzers include use of distinct and non-interfering time frequency domains: a middle frequency time domain and a low frequency time domain, and optionally a high frequency time domain. The high frequency time domain generates a laser facet drive current frequency modulation to prevent the laser facet from spatial-mode hopping. The middle frequency time domain is for particle detection. The low frequency time domain is for calibration status, including laser-pulse-light self-diagnostics, for the health or calibration status of the analyzer. By carefully selecting the frequency time domain ranges, there is non-interference, with the ability to self-diagnose the instrument that is particle-independent.
A mobile monitoring device for monitoring controlled contamination areas may include a motorized mobile structure, a sampling unit, and a central management and control unit. The motorized mobile structure is configured to move within an area to be monitored. The sampling unit is positioned on said mobile structure, and configured to perform sampling operations of air and/or surfaces of said area and obtain sampling data. The central management and control unit is operatively connected to the mobile structure and to said sampling unit. The mobile structure may be controlled by the central unit to reach predefined points of the area to be monitored. The sampling unit may be selectively activated and/or deactivated by said central unit in correspondence with said predefined starting points of said sampling operations
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
A47L 9/28 - Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
14.
PARTICLE DETECTORS WITH REMOTE ALARM MONITORING AND CONTROL
The invention generally provides devices and methods for particle detection for minimizing human-caused contamination in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of microbes, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Methods of the invention may incorporate wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal from a particle detector to a remote device, replicating a graphical user interface of the particle detector on an electronic display of the remote device, and passing one or more user instructions from the remote device to the particle detector via the replicate graphical interface of the remote device
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
The invention generally provides systems and methods for particle detection for minimizing microbial growth and cross-contamination in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of microbes, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. In some embodiments, systems of the invention incorporate a housing having an outer surface being a first antimicrobial surface and a touchscreen being a second antimicrobial surface. In some embodiments, substantially all of the outer surfaces of the system are antimicrobial surfaces. In some embodiments, the first antimicrobial surface may comprise an Active Screen Plasma alloyed layer. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a molded polymer substrate and a metal coating layer bonded to the molded polymer substrate such that at least some exterior surfaces of the housing are metal coated surfaces.
Described herein are monitoring systems and methods, including for airborne molecular contamination (AMC), that combine a sampler, such as an impinger or sorbent tube with a real time analyzer, such as an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) or optical particle counter. The system may allow for selective sampling in which the sampler is only exposed to the target fluid during periods in which the real time analyzer detects analytes, such as molecular contamination or particles, meeting particular criteria such the composition and/or concentration of analytes. The invention also includes impinger systems having a sampler reservoir comprising an anion leaching resistant material characterized by low anion leach rates in the presence of deionized water.
Systems, methods, devices and software for operating particle sampling devices in a user-restrictive manner include a tag and a particle sampling device. The device includes a tag reader and a processor in communication with the tag reader. The processor: receives device configuration data and reads operational and/or user data from the tag having that data encoded thereon. Based on the data read from the tag, the processor may either grant or deny access to a user for performing device operations. Alternatively, for a headless particle sampling device configured for minimal user interaction during operation, the device is removably attached to a supporting structure proximate the tag positioned in or on the supporting structure. In the headless configuration, the processor reads device configuration parameters including network communication information from the tag following device power up. Embodiments of the disclosure facilitate various efficiency improvements for manufacturing operations reliant on particle sampling devices.
Provided herein are optical systems and methods for detecting and characterizing particles. Systems and method are provided which increase the sensitivity of an optical particle counter and allow for detection of smaller particles while analyzing a larger fluid volume. The described systems and methods allow for sensitive and accurate detection and size characterization of nanoscale particles (e.g., less than 50 nm, optionally less than 20 nm, optionally less than 10 nm) for large volumes of analyzed fluids.
Provided herein are systems and methods allowing for automated sampling and/or analysis of controlled environments, for example, to determine the presence, quantity, size, concentration, viability, species or characteristics of particles within the environment. The described systems and methods may utilize robotics or automation or remove some or all of the collection or analysis steps that are traditionally performed by human operators. The methods and systems described herein are versatile and may be used with known particle sampling and analysis techniques and particle detection devices including, for example, optical particle counters, impingers and impactors.
Provided are particle analyzers and related methods for verifying calibration status of the particle analyzer. The method includes the steps of providing an optical particle analyzer and modulating a power applied to a source of EMR. The method includes the steps of, in response to the modulating step, inducing a detector signal waveform and analyzing the detector signal waveform to determine a value of at least one diagnostic parameter associated with one or more of the source of EMR, an optical assembly, a chamber, a detector, and an optical collection system of the optical particle analyzer. The method includes the step of determining a calibration status of the optical particle analyzer based on the one or more determined values of the at least one diagnostic parameter.
Provided herein are particle detection systems, and related methods configured to characterize a liquid sample, comprising: a first probe configured to determine a first parameter set of a plurality of first particles in a liquid sample, the first particles characterized by a size characteristic selected from a first size range; wherein the first parameter set comprises a first size distribution and a first concentration; and a second probe configured to determine a second parameter set of one or more second particles in the liquid sample, the second particles being characterized by a size characteristic selected from a second size range; wherein the second parameter set comprises a second size distribution and a second concentration.
Provided herein is a particle analyzer that is operably connected to a probe unit that is capable of both dislodging particles from a surface and sampling the particles after they have been dislodged. The devices and methods described herein may be lightweight and/or handheld, for example, so that they may be used within a cleanroom environment to clean and sample permanent surfaces and tools. The devices may include optical particle counters that use scattered, obscured or emitted light to detect particles, including condensation particle counting systems or split detection optical particle counters to increase the sensitivity of the device and thereby facilitate detection of smaller particles, while avoiding the increased complexity typically required for the detection of nanoscale particles, such as particles less than 100 nm in effective diameter.
Provided herein are systems and methods of optical particle counters which account and adjust for the refractive index of the carrier fluid being analyzed. The provided systems are robust and may be implemented in a variety of optical particle counters including obscured light, reflected light, emitted light and scattered light particle counters. The described systems may be useful with any fluid, including gases or liquids. In some cases, the system can account for the differences in refractive index between two liquids, for example, ultrapure water and an acid, such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, acetic, phosphoric, chromic phosphoric, and the like. By accounting for the refractive index of the carrier fluid, the described systems and methods are also more sensitive and able to more accurately detect and characterize smaller particles, including nanoscale sized particles.
An optical system for particle size and concentration analysis, includes: at least one laser that produces an illuminating beam; a focusing lens that focuses the illuminating beam on particles that move relative to the illuminating beam at known or pre-defined angles to the illuminating beam through the focal region of the focusing lens; and at least two forward- looking detectors, that detect interactions of particles with the illuminating beam in the focal region of the focusing lens. The focusing lens is a cylindrical lens that forms a focal region that is: (i) narrow in the direction of relative motion between the particles and the illuminating beam, and (ii) wide in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by an optical axis of the system and the direction of relative motion between the particles and the illuminating beam. Each of the two forward-looking detectors is comprised of two segmented linear arrays of detectors.
The systems and methods provided herein relate generally to the prevention of migration of condensate in a condensation particle counter between components designed to handle condensate (e.g. saturator, condenser, condensate reservoir) and components which may be damaged by the condensate (e.g. detection and flow control devices).
B01D 47/05 - Separating dispersed particles from gases, air or vapours by liquid as separating agent by condensation of the separating agent
B05C 3/02 - Apparatus in which the work is brought into contact with a bulk quantity of liquid or other fluent material the work being immersed in the liquid or other fluent material
F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
G01N 15/06 - Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
G05D 23/22 - Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature the sensing element being a thermocouple
G05D 23/24 - Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. thermistor
26.
AUTOMATIC POWER CONTROL LIQUID PARTICLE COUNTER WITH FLOW AND BUBBLE DETECTION SYSTEMS
The systems and methods provided herein relate generally to the improvement of data quality in optical liquid particle counters and control of optical particle counters to achieve longer expected lifetime, for example by avoiding damage caused by electromagnetic radiation and heat. The systems and methods incorporate sensors which characterize the fluid flowing through the flow cell, thereby enhancing accuracy and reducing the number of false positives.
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
G01N 21/49 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid
G01N 21/53 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
B01J 19/12 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing electromagnetic waves
27.
LASER NOISE DETECTION AND MITIGATION IN PARTICLE COUNTING INSTRUMENTS
This invention relates to optical particle counters and methods capable of effectively distinguishing signals generated from particle light scattering from sources of noise. Embodiments of the invention, for example, use multisensory detector configurations for identifying and distinguishing signals corresponding to fluctuations in laser intensity from signals corresponding to particle light scattering for the detection and characterization of submicron particles. In an embodiment, for example, methods and systems of the invention compare signals from different detector elements of a detector array to identify and characterize noise events, such as noise generated from laser intensity instability, thereby allow for the detection and characterization of smaller particles. The system and methods of the present invention, thus, provide an effective means of reducing false positives caused by noise or interference while allowing for very sensitive particle detection.
This invention is in the field of systems and methods for controlling contamination in high purity environments. This invention relates generally to particulate filtering and treatment of molecular contamination and process gases in enclosures, such as cleanrooms, contamination controlled manufacturing environments, mini-environments, isolators, glove boxes and restricted air barrier systems (RABS). The invention is capable of chemically transforming molecular contamination and process gases into less reactive or inert reaction products while at the same time decreasing the level of biological and nonbiological particulates.
F24F 3/16 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by ozonisation
F24F 7/06 - Ventilation with ducting systems with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan
B01D 46/44 - Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof controlling filtration
29.
PRESSURE-BASED AIRFLOW SENSING IN PARTICLE IMPACTOR SYSTEMS
Provided are systems and methods for accurate sensing of particle concentrations in fluids by employing a particle impactor system that allows for collection, growth and analysis of biological particles. The disclosed systems and methods make use of a pressure based flow sensor which permits the particle impactor system systems to accurately and reliably provide measurements of biological particle concentrations in the ambient environment. By incorporation of pressure sensors and pressure measurements into the flow measurement techniques, embodiments provide for the ability to use a particle impactor system to accurately measure environmental biological particle concentrations at a variety of atmospheric pressure conditions, such as at high altitude or with minimal perturbation from atmospheric weather conditions, without requiring recalibration or other adjustment of the sensors and control systems.
G01F 1/28 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by detection of dynamic effects of the flow by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter
G01F 1/76 - Devices for measuring mass flow of a fluid or a fluent solid material
The invention provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles. Devices and methods of the invention, including particle samplers, impactors and counters, include a filter component for removing particles in the exhaust flow of the device, for example, to eliminate or minimize the potential for the device itself to provide source of particles in an environment undergoing particle monitoring. This aspect of the present devices and methods is particularly useful for monitoring particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products.
Provided are impactors for detecting biologics having an adjustable separation distance between an impact surface and the intake aperture, including the exit of the intake aperture. The impactor has a sampling head having at least one intake aperture and an exit, an impactor base comprising an impact surface, wherein the impact surface opposibly faces the sampling head exit and is separated from the exit by a separation distance. The separation distance is continuously adjustable between a minimum separation distance and a maximum separation distance and can accommodate impact surfaces having different heights by positioning the impact surface, irrespective of height of the impact surface, at an optimal separation distance from the sample intake aperture, such as by a rotation-type mechanism with a change in distance indication provided to a user by a separation distance step indicator.
Provided herein are methods and devices that allow for efficient management of many different sampling locations within a facility. A method for operating a biological sampler is described, such as by sampling an environment at a sampling position with the biological sampler and associating the sampling position with a unique identifier, wherein the unique identifier comprises an area and a location. Also provided are associated devices for carrying out the methods.
G01N 15/00 - Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
B01D 45/08 - Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by utilising inertia by impingement against baffle separators
The invention generally provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors for collecting and/or analyzing biological particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Devices and methods of the invention incorporate an integrated sampler and impact surface, such as the receiving surface of a growth media, in a manner to minimize, or entirely eliminate, risks associated with user handling, such as the occurrence of false positive determinations due to contamination of the impact surface during particle sampling, growth or analysis processes.
The invention provides a method for obtaining aerosol particle size distributions with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) device comprising a differential mobility analyzer (DMA); which method comprises the stages: (i) collecting a first data set of particle concentrations vs. size for a size range from a predetermined minimal size Dmin to an intermediate size Dt by varying a voltage applied to a DMA column of an SMPS from Vmin to Vt1 at a first sheath flow rate Qsh1; (ii) changing the sheath flow rate from the first sheath flow rate Qsh1 to a second sheath flow rate Qsh2; (iii) collecting a second data set of particle concentrations vs. size for a size range from the intermediate size Dt to a predetermined maximum size Dmax by varying the voltage applied to the DMA column of the SMPS from Vt2 to Vmax at the second sheath flow rate Qsh2; (iv) convolving the first data set from stage (i) using an apparatus function of the DMA and the sheath flow rates Qsh1 and Qsh2 in stage (ii); (v) combining the convolved data set from stage (iv) with the second data set from stage (iii) to form a merged data set corresponding to the size distribution from Dmin to Dmax; and (vi) deconvolving the merged data set to provide a size distribution for the full size range Dmin to Dmax. Also provided are a DMA, SMPS or Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS) apparatus set up to perform the method.
G01N 1/22 - Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
G01N 27/62 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
G01N 15/00 - Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
The invention provides an apparatus set up for diluting aerosols; the apparatus comprising: (i) a dilution chamber (1); (ii) an aerosol inlet (2) on one side of the dilution chamber for admitting an aerosol into the dilution chamber; (iii) an aerosol outlet (3) on the same or another side of the dilution chamber through which diluted aerosol particles can leave the dilution chamber; (iv) a diluent gas inlet (4) for admitting into the chamber a diluent gas; (v) a diluent gas outlet (5) through which diluent gas can leave the dilution chamber; (vi) a gas flow maintenance system (6) that provides circulation of the diluent gas through the dilution chamber; and (vii) means for determining the extent of dilution of the aerosol leaving the aerosol outlet. The invention also provides methods of diluting and counting aerosol particles using the apparatus of the invention.
The invention provides an apparatus for charging or altering the charge of gas-entrained particles in an aerosol, the apparatus comprising: (a) an ion generating chamber (1) containing a first electrode (2) for generating a corona discharge, the first electrode (2) being connected to a power supply of sufficiently high voltage to create the corona discharge; the ion generating chamber (1) having an ion outlet (10) through which ions generated by the corona discharge can leave the chamber (1); (b) a particle charging chamber (5) in which charging or altering the charge of gas-entrained particles in an aerosol takes place, the particle charging chamber (5) being in fluid communication with the ion generation chamber (1) and having an inlet and an aerosol outlet; and (c) an electrically non-conductive interface body (7) positioned between the aerosol particle charging chamber (5) and the ion generating chamber (1), the interface body (7) having a hollow interior which is in fluid communication with the ion generating chamber (1) and the aerosol particle charging chamber, and having a gas inlet (8) through which a stream of gas can be introduced into the hollow interior of the interface body (7).
Provided are devices and methods for monitoring flow rate in aerosol particle counters. The particle sensor has a particle counter, a flow measurement orifice comprising a differential pressure sensor for measuring differential pressure (DP) across the flow measurement orifice during particle sensor operation and a critical flow orifice. A vacuum source pulls ambient gas through each of the particle counter, flow measurement orifice and critical flow orifice. An atmospheric pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure (AP) and a bench pressure sensor measures pressure in the particle sensor (BP). The output from the sensors is used to identify a flow condition, such as by a monitor operably connected to each of the differential pressure sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor and bench pressure sensor. In this manner, deviation in flow rate from a target flow rate is readily monitored without the need for expensive sensors or other flow-controlling components.
Described herein is a particle detection system capable of spatially resolving the interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Using a specific electromagnetic beam cross sectional shape and orientation, the detection sensitivity of a particle detection system can be improved. Also provided are methods for detecting and sizing particles in a manner that has low background signal and allows for spatially resolving the scattering or emission of electromagnetic radiation from particles.
The present invention provides methods and systems for particle detection and analysis using two-dimensional optical imaging to access enhanced detection sensitivity and expanded sensing functionality relative to conventional point and array detection-based optical particle counters. Methods and systems of the present invention provide a two-dimensional optical imaging-based particle sensing platform wherein system components and specifications are selected to generate reproducible and readily identifiable signals, including particle detection signatures, from optical scattering or emission from particles provided to the system. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of accurately and sensitively detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., determining the size of) particles in liquid phase or gas phase samples.
Described herein is a portable, low power consuming optical particle counter calibration verification system and reliable and sensitive methods for verifying the calibration status of a gas or liquid particle counter. The calibration verification systems described herein are useful for quickly determining the calibration status of an optical particle counter at its point of use, as well as for allowing the end user to determine if an optical particle counter is in need of a recalibration before the recommended calibration schedule suggests.
Methods and systems are provided for detecting analytes in a gas phase sample. An ion mobility spectrometer is provided for detecting analytes having an excess amount of dopant in its separation region. In an embodiment, the dopant is added directly to the separation region, such as with a drift gas or by diffusion, thereby providing excess dopant that dominates subsequent cluster formation and maintenance. Excess dopant in the separation region minimizes or reduces interfering signals associated with unwanted substances, such as water vapor, that are introduced to the IMS. In an aspect, the invention provides IMS systems and methods having increased sensitivity and reliability for analyte detection.
The invention relates to particle sensors that are capable of passively cooling high-powered optical sources within the sensor, thereby extending the optical source lifetime without requiring additional power. The sensor detects particles within a sample fluid by optical interaction of the optical source with flowing sample fluid in the sample chamber. Sample fluid that exits the sample chamber is directed into thermal contact with the optical source, thereby cooling the optical source. Sample fluid that has come into thermal contact with the optical source is continuously removed from the sensor to ensure the optical source is adequately cooled. A variety of elements are used to facilitate thermal contact between the optical source and sample fluid including plenums, heat sinks, and airflow cavities. Provided are related methods for cooling a one or more heat-producing device within a particle sensor.
A particle sensor (106) for optically detecting an unconstrained particle suspended in a flowing gas includes a sample chamber (135) having a gas inlet (115) and a gas outlet (162); a gas flow system (120) for flowing said gas from said gas inlet through said sample chamber to said gas outlet, a source (134) of light; an optical system (310, 319) directing said light through said sample chamber, an optical collection system (330) located to collect light scattered by said particles in the gas, and a detection system (340) located to detect the collected light. The total pressure drop through said gas flow system is 3 inches of water or less. The gas flow system includes an axial fan (128), which may be a high static pressure fan or a counter-rotating fan. In a 1.0 CFM system, the gas inlet nozzle (130) has an area of 25 square millimeters or more.
A particle counter (200) for optically detecting an unconstrained particle suspended in a flowing liquid includes: a sample chamber (240) having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a laser module (201) producing a laser beam (212) ; a beam shaping optical system (228) providing a multiple laser beam pattern in the sample chamber; and a CMOS optical detector located to detect light scattered by the particles in the sample chamber, the detector producing an electric signal characteristic of a parameter of the particle. The particle counter has a particle sensing area within the sample chamber in which the intensity of light is at least 10 Watts/mm2 and having an area of 0.5 square mm or more. The detector has thirty or more detector array elements. The laser optical system reflects and refocuses the laser beam to effect multiple passes of the same laser beam through the sensing area.
patents
