Device and method for detecting multiple target substances of abuse
Inventors
Lynn, Michael Scott • Oh, Seong-Kun
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11709170-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and devices for sampling, processing and identifying use of a substance or substances of abuse are provided. Systems and kits for sampling, processing and identifying acute use of a substance of abuse is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a handheld roadside-compatible detection device and methods for acute detection of substances of abuse using a cartridge. The device acquires one or more samples in connection with a person exhaling into an inlet of the cartridge, where the cartridge includes one or more sampling modules and multiple areas. A processing unit controls acquisition of multiple samples concurrently from multiple areas, including a first sample received at a first area and a second sample received at a second area.
The processing unit controls performance of multiple sampling processes using the one or more sampling modules. A first sampling process determines an amount of a first analysis substance present in the first sample, and a second sampling process determines an amount of a second analysis substance present in the second sample. Based on the detected amounts of the first analysis substance and the second analysis substance, the device generates one or more signals to provide an output indication of the detected amounts.
In related embodiments, amounts may be determined using temporally spaced measurements and a predetermined gradient profile over a predetermined time period after sequential acquisition, including confirmation based on half-life or a half-life profile. Detection targets include THC/cannabis and, in optional embodiments, alcohol and other drugs or metabolites such as 11-OH-THC and THC-COOH, with mass spectrometry variants including GC-MS, LC-MS, and 2D-GC-MS.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: one for a detection device and one for a method of operating the detection device. The independent claims cover concurrent acquisition of multiple samples from multiple cartridge areas during exhalation, multiple sampling processes to determine respective analysis-substance amounts, and signal generation based on the detected amounts. Dependent features include half-life-based amount determination, selected analysis targets, specified mass spectrometry modalities, and timing relationships between sampling processes.
Concurrent acquisition of multiple samples from cartridge areas during exhalation
A processing unit controls, in connection with a person exhaling into an inlet of a cartridge, concurrent acquisition of multiple samples received at multiple areas of the cartridge, including a first sample received at a first area and a second sample received at a second area.
Multiple sampling processes for respective amounts of analysis substances
The processing unit controls performance of multiple sampling processes, including performance of a first sampling process to determine an amount of a first analysis substance present in the first sample and a second sampling process to determine an amount of a second analysis substance present in the second sample.
Signal generation based on detected amounts
The processing unit generates one or more signals based on the detected amounts of the first analysis substance and the second analysis substance.
Method-controlled concurrent acquisition and multi-substance sampling
Operating the detection device includes, in connection with a person exhaling into an inlet of a cartridge, concurrently controlling acquisition of multiple samples received at multiple areas, including a first sample at a first area and a second sample at a second area.
Method-controlled signal generation from first and second analysis amounts
Controlling performance of multiple sampling processes includes performing a first sampling process to determine an amount of a first analysis substance in the first sample and a second sampling process to determine an amount of a second analysis substance in the second sample, and generating one or more signals based on the detected amounts.
The independent claim set covers both a detection device and a method where multiple samples are concurrently acquired from multiple cartridge areas during exhalation, multiple sampling processes determine amounts of a first and a second analysis substance in their respective samples, and signals are generated based on the detected amounts.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Acute detection of substances of abuse, including THC/cannabis, with optional analysis of alcohol and other drugs/metabolites, using a handheld roadside-compatible detection device and cartridge-based sampling during exhalation.
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