Fluorescent biological particle detection system
US5701012A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/019
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process and apparatus are provided for detection of viable and potentially hazardous biological particles which may be dispersed in a particulate-containing airstream. The process comprises directing each of the contained particles along a linear path through air, in a sequential manner, and sampling them for determination of their size, whether they are biological and viable, and whether they are present in concentrations greater than background levels. The particle size identifies the particles as respirable or not and the particles are characterized as biological and viable by subjecting each particle in turn, to 340 nm, ultraviolet laser light and looking for the emission of fluorescence which is typically emitted from bacteria or bacterial spore. Fluorescence detected in the 400-540 nm range signals the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen, which is indicative of biological activity or viability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.