Air sample tracking system and method
Inventors
CALIO, Rosario S. • Phillips, Mark A. • Joyce, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10627324-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated.
Core Innovation
The disclosed system links contaminant-collection subjects to identification information through identification tags and readers, while a computer receives and stores the decoded information. Air-flow switches measure the rate of air flow through air sampling devices, and the computer also stores the measured rate. The described records may include subject and user identification, locations, timestamps, and sampling or incubation observations.
For air sampling in a controlled environment, a controller connected to a vacuum source uses a manifold to separately control actual airflow from sampling devices through respective vacuum air tubes, selectively directing airflow to the source. The partial content also describes remote monitoring and control, location verification, and alerts based on contamination observations. A background section and a specific problem being solved are not present in the supplied content.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims define four main inventive features: two in claim 1 and two in claim 8.
Subject identification and record storage
Claim 1 recites subjects configured to collect air contaminants when disposed in an air sampling device, each subject comprising an identification tag encoded with information identifying the subject. An identification reader decodes the information, and a computer receives and stores it.
Air-flow measurement and storage
Claim 1 recites one or more air-flow switches configured to measure the rate of air flow through the air sampling devices, with a computer configured to receive and store that rate.
Separate airflow control through a manifold
Claim 8 recites a controller connected to a vacuum source and in separate airflow communication with air sampling devices through respective vacuum air tubes. A manifold separately controls the actual airflow rate from each device to the vacuum source and selectively directs airflow through the respective tubes.
Subject identification and airflow measurement in a controlled environment
Claim 8 recites subjects configured to collect air contaminants in a controlled environment, identification tags, and a mobile identification reader that decodes subject information. Air-flow switches measure the rate through respective vacuum air tubes, and a computer receives and stores the decoded identification information and measured rates.
Together, the independent claims cover systems that identify contaminant-collection subjects and store identification and airflow measurements, with claim 8 additionally specifying separate manifold control of airflow from sampling devices to a vacuum source.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Air sampling in a clean room.
Air sampling in a controlled environment.
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