Methods and apparatus for detecting exposure to hazardous substances
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8043861-B2
Publication Date
2011-10-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting exposure to at least one hazardous substance is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a plurality of openings, and an attachment mechanism coupled to the body. Each opening is sized to receive a cassette for detecting the presence or absence of at least one hazardous substance. The cassette can include a colorimetric sensor having a base layer fabricated from a hydrophobic film, a colorimetric coating for covering the hydrophobic film, and at least one hydrophobic membrane for controlling the exposure of the specific substance to the colorimetric coating.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hazardous substance detection apparatus that is field-configurable using a reusable body with at least two openings and at least two removable cassettes received in the openings. Each removable cassette includes at least one colorimetric sensor configured to change color upon detection of a predetermined hazardous substance, and each cassette further includes a collection medium configured to collect hazardous substances.
Each colorimetric sensor includes a colorimetric layer deposited onto a base layer and at least one hydrophobic membrane positioned adjacent the colorimetric layer. The hydrophobic membrane is configured to control an amount of gas permitted to penetrate the membrane and contact the colorimetric layer, and is attached to at least one of the colorimetric layer and the base layer to seal and prevent water infiltration of the colorimetric layer.
The apparatus is described as usable in a substantially waterproof manner during environmental exposure, including macroscopic water conditions such as rain or immersion. The cassette design supports configurable multi-hazard use by swapping cassettes so that different predetermined hazardous substances are detected while maintaining the sensor protection architecture.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims for a hazardous substance detection apparatus, a field configurable apparatus, and a method. Across these claims, there are 4 main inventive features.
Removable cassette detection modules in an opening body
A body comprising at least two openings and at least two removable cassettes received in the body, each removable cassette positioned in one of the openings.
Colorimetric sensor configured to detect predetermined hazardous substances
Each cassette comprises at least one colorimetric sensor configured to change color upon detection of a predetermined hazardous substance, or configured to detect the presence of at least one predetermined hazardous substance.
Collection medium to collect hazardous substances
Each cassette comprises a collection medium configured to collect hazardous substances.
Hydrophobic membrane controlling gas penetration and sealing against water infiltration
The colorimetric sensor comprises a colorimetric layer deposited onto a base layer and at least one hydrophobic membrane positioned adjacent the colorimetric layer, configured to control an amount of gas permitted to penetrate the membrane and contact the colorimetric layer, and attached to at least one of the colorimetric layer and the base layer to seal and prevent water infiltration of the colorimetric layer.
The independent claims combine a body with at least two openings and removable cassettes, colorimetric sensing for predetermined hazardous substances, a collection medium, and a hydrophobic membrane architecture that controls gas penetration and prevents water infiltration of the colorimetric layer.
Stated Advantages
Substantially waterproof to environmental exposure, including rain or immersion.
Prevents water infiltration of the colorimetric layer while controlling gas permitted to contact the colorimetric layer.
Supports configurable multi-hazard use via cassette swapping.
Documented Applications
Detecting exposure to at least one hazardous substance using a field configurable hazardous substance detection apparatus positioned in an area of interest.
Configuring the detection apparatus to detect at least one predetermined hazardous substance and monitoring the detection apparatus to determine if a hazardous substance has been detected.
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