Cartridge with embossed collection substrate
Inventors
Kendall, John Kirby • Guerrera, Robyn L. • Van Tilburg, Alec N.
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Assignees
Member
Signature Science, LLCSignature Science, LLC is a multidisciplinary applied science and technology company dedicated to solving the toughest forensic, biosecurity, and public health challenges. Serving both government and commercial clients, Signature Science combines scientific rigor with proven quality assurance to enhance the credibility and defensibility of programs in national security, public safety, and health security. The company is recognized for its innovation, technical excellence, and commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art in forensic science, genomics, and biosecurity technologies. Signature Science also offers advanced bioinformatics and microbiome analysis services, empowering clients with data-driven insights to address emerging threats, pandemics, and bioterrorism. The company is a subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute and is committed to community engagement and workforce development.
Signature Science, LLC is a multidisciplinary applied science and technology company dedicated to solving the toughest forensic, biosecurity, and public health challenges. Serving both government and commercial clients, Signature Science combines scientific rigor with proven quality assurance to enhance the credibility and defensibility of programs in national security, public safety, and health security. The company is recognized for its innovation, technical excellence, and commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art in forensic science, genomics, and biosecurity technologies. Signature Science also offers advanced bioinformatics and microbiome analysis services, empowering clients with data-driven insights to address emerging threats, pandemics, and bioterrorism. The company is a subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute and is committed to community engagement and workforce development.
Publication Number
US-10126213-B2
Publication Date
2018-11-13
Expiration Date
2035-04-23
Abstract
A device (201) is provided for collecting a substance from an ambient fluid. The device includes a housing (205) equipped with an (207) inlet and an outlet (209) which are in fluidic communication with each other, and a collector (203) which has a plurality of spaced-apart layers (213). The collector is disposed in a fluidic flow path between the inlet and the outlet such that a flow of fluid passes through adjacent layers of the collector. Each of the layers includes a substrate (217) having a sorbent or adherent (219) disposed thereon, and a plurality of embossments (215) which maintains the layers in the spaced-apart configuration.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for collecting a substance from an ambient fluid comprising a housing with an inlet and an outlet in fluidic communication, and a collector consisting of a plurality of spaced-apart layers disposed in the fluidic flow path between the inlet and outlet. Each layer includes a substrate that has discrete embossments which maintain the layers in spaced-apart relation, and a sorbent or adherent disposed on the substrate. This structure enables fluid flow between adjacent layers through the spaces maintained by embossments, reducing pressure drop compared to typical packed bed sorbent systems.
The problem addressed arises from conventional sampling systems that use packed sorbent beds within glass or stainless steel tubes, which cause significant pressure drops, necessitating active pumping or fans that increase device size and power requirements. Reducing pressure drop often compromises sampling efficiency or residence times, and heating for desorption can be complex. Existing systems are limited mainly to active sampling due to this pressure constraint.
The disclosed device solves these problems by employing an embossed, preferably metal, substrate wound or constructed into spaced-apart layers that maintain effective flow paths to reduce pressure drop below 0.01 MPa at typical flow rates. This design enables the capture of signatures or substances with suitable residence times and affinities, allows passive or active operation, and reduces power and size requirements for active systems, while maintaining compatibility with various analytical and transformative methods.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims, one directed to a device and the other to a method, each including key inventive features related to design and function.
Device with wound substrate having discrete embossings maintaining spaced-apart layers
A device comprising a housing with an inlet and outlet in fluidic communication; a wound substrate having a plurality of discrete embossings that maintain adjacent substrate layers in a spaced-apart relation; the substrate disposed such that fluid flows through spaces between layers; and an adherent disposed on the substrate in fluidic contact with the flow path.
Method for substance collection using a collector with embossed spaced-apart layers producing low pressure drop
A method comprising providing a device with housing having inlet and outlet in fluidic communication and a collector with spaced-apart layers formed by a substrate having discrete embossments and adherent disposed thereon; passing ambient fluid through the device such that substance is captured; wherein the substrate is configured to produce a pressure drop of less than 0.01 MPa at 1.5 L/min flow.
The claims cover a fluid sampling device employing a multi-layered wound substrate with discrete embossings to maintain inter-layer spacing, bearing a sorbent or adherent for signature capture, and a method utilizing this device to collect substances with minimal pressure drop and suitable fluid flow.
Stated Advantages
The device exhibits a reduced pressure drop compared to packed bed sampling systems, enabling use in both active and passive sampling.
Lower pressure drop allows reductions in the size and power requirements of fluid driving means such as fans or pumps.
The design provides sufficient fluid residence times and adequate affinity for capturing substances or signatures of interest.
The embossed layered structure improves handling and mechanical strength suitable for winding into cartridges.
Documented Applications
Detection of environmental pollutants at industrial sites.
Environmental remediation monitoring.
Enforcement of chemical or nuclear arms treaties by capturing chemical, biological, radiological, or particulate signatures.
Use as a filtering device for removal of substances or signatures from ambient fluid.
Thermal desorption and subsequent chemical, biological, radiological, microscopic, or transformative analysis of collected signatures.
Sampling platforms including carts, ground-based vehicles, aircraft, balloons, and parachutes.
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