Native fluorescence detection methods and detectors for naphthalene and/or other volatile organic compound vapors
US8759791B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/068
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds have been identified as serious health hazards. This is especially true for personnel working with JP8 jet fuel and other fuels containing naphthalene as well as other hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to naphthalene or other hazardous VOCs. The badge sensor of some embodiments provides both real time detection and data logging of exposure to naphthalene or other VOCs of interest from which both instantaneous and accumulated dose can be determined. The badges employ a new native fluorescence based detection m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.