Detection method for checking surfaces for nitrogen-containing explosives or drugs
US5476794A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/173845
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of rapidly checking surfaces for the presence of traces of specific compounds such as certain explosives and drugs. A hand-covering such as a cotton glove is used to wipe surfaces to pick up particles of the specific compound which may indicate the presence of larger amounts or previous contact of a surface by a person who has handled the compound. The particles are transferred--unheated--to collection surfaces of a hand-held sample probe by vacuuming of the gloved hand by the battery-operated probe. Heat is then supplied by a source external to the probe to vaporize the particles, and the vapors are analyzed by a suitable technique such as high speed gas chromatography. The method permits checking of surfaces for explosives at processing rates of up to several samples per minute.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.