Air sampler adapter

Abstract

An air sampler adapter (10) adapted to hermetically house an air sampling unit (11) for remotely sampling air of a region of interest via a duct (21), comprising: a body portion having a housing (15) and a base portion (16), the base portion (16) comprising a securing means (161), where the securing means (161) are configured to secure the air sampling unit (11) within the housing (15); comprising a sampling air inlet (14) and a first locking mechanism (12) adapted to switch between an open position and an airtight closed position during sampling; and a second end portion (18) comprising an air outlet (141) and a second locking mechanism (13) adapted to switch between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position, in which the air sampler adapter is removable from a duct (21) connecting it to the region of interest and, after the removal, the air sampler adapter is locked by the second locking mechanism (13). The first locking mechanism (12) and the second locking mechanism (13) are adapted to be locked in a gas-tight closed position for clean transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of airborne particle detectors and more generally to the field of air sampling units used in air quality detection devices and methods. Background Art

[0002] Today, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, global awareness of microbial contamination has continued to grow. In addition, more and more industries are turning to aseptic manufacturing to limit the impact of airborne particles containing microorganisms on the quality and safety of their products. New technologies for real-time detection of these particles are beginning to emerge, but generally these new technologies still require the use of side-by-side or in-line standard sampling to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

[0003] Conventional sampling units usually include an air microbial sampler with a nutrient culture dish. The air microbial sampler is used to detect the presence of particles containing microorganisms in the air.

[0004] It is essential that the handling of the sampling unit takes place in a clean environment. In the event of improper handling, there is a risk of contamination of the sample source and the sampling unit, and the results may be inaccurate. Therefore, the sampling unit is handled in a cleanroom, which is expensive and requires a lot of planning and manual expertise to prevent contamination.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a device that allows for the accommodation of a standard sampling device, which device is intended to be used independently or in series with a sampling device.

[0006] In this respect, the main object of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems and more specifically to provide a device which allows the use and transport of a sampling unit without risk of contamination of the sampling unit or the sample source. Summary of the invention

[0007] The above problems are solved by the present invention, which is a device used as an adapter to accommodate a standard sampling device, which is intended to be used independently or in series with a sampling device.

[0008] The present invention allows manipulation of sampling media such as agar plates and exchange of sampling media even inside a non-sterile environment, while the air being sampled can originate from a sterile environment. This unique feature is particularly useful for small production environments like robotic isolators, as it eliminates the need to build a highly purified environment around the isolator to prevent sample contamination during exchange.

[0009] In general, the invention comprises an adapter device, preferably an in-line adapter device, which allows the use and transportation of the sampling unit without risk of contamination of the sampling unit or the sample source. Thanks to the adapter, the sampling unit can be transported through unclean environments without any risk of contamination.

[0010] This eliminates the need for a cleanroom, requiring only a small isolator, which is more cost effective and takes up less space than a cleanroom. The isolator can be placed in a lower class cleanroom or in a non-clean environment.

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention is an air sampler adapter, which is suitable for air-tightly accommodating an air sampling unit, which remotely samples the air in an area of ​​interest via a pipeline, and the air sampler adapter comprises: a main body portion, the main body portion comprises a shell and a base portion, the base portion comprises a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is configured to fix the air sampling unit in the shell; a first end portion, which comprises a sampling air inlet and a first locking mechanism, the first locking mechanism is suitable for switching between an open position and an air-tight closed position during sampling; and a second end portion, the second end portion comprises an air outlet and a second locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism is suitable for switching between an open position and an air-tight closed position during sampling; it is characterized in that the air sampler adapter is detachable from a pipeline that connects the air sampler adapter to the area of ​​interest, and after the air sampler adapter is detached, the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are suitable for locking in an air-tight closed position for clean transportation.

[0012] Preferably, the first end portion and the second end portion comprise fittings for connection to a conduit connected to the pump and / or the region of interest.

[0013] Advantageously, the air sampler adapter is an in-line airborne microorganism sampling adapter.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism of the second end portion is a quick release locking mechanism.

[0015] Advantageously, the locking mechanism of the first end portion comprises an upper portion and a lower portion mounted together, and the aperture and the aperture closing module are present in both the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0016] Preferably, the upper and lower parts are mounted to each other, preferably via a threaded mechanism.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after assembly, the upper and lower parts align the holes of the upper and lower parts to provide an air passage.

[0018] Advantageously, each hole closing module has the form of a sliding tongue with an opening, which can be linearly displaced so as to align the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole of the part on which the sliding tongue is mounted and open the channel, or to completely offset the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole of the part on which the sliding tongue is mounted to close the channel.

[0019] Preferably, the upper and lower parts are mounted together to provide a gap between the two hole closing modules.

[0020] A second aspect of the present invention is an airborne particle detection station, comprising: a chamber containing air to be analyzed; a pump adapted to draw air from the chamber; and an air sampler adapter according to the first aspect.

[0021] Advantageously, the air sampler adapter is preferably arranged in series between the chamber (20) and the pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other specific advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a general situation of installing an air sampler adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of an air sampler adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 Schematically illustrates an exploded view of an air sampler adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figures 4A to 4C Three different views of a first end portion of an air sampler adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] This detailed description is intended to illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner, since any feature of one embodiment may be combined in an advantageous manner with any other feature of a different embodiment.

[0028] Figure 1One aspect of the present invention is shown, namely, an air particle detection station 1, which includes a cavity 20, a pump 30 and an air sampler adapter 10 according to the present invention, wherein the cavity 20 contains air to be analyzed, the pump 30 is suitable for drawing air from the cavity 20, and the air sampler adapter 10 is preferably arranged in series between the cavity 20 and the pump 30, preferably, a first pipe 21 connects the serial sampler adapter 10 to the cavity 20, and a second pipe 31 connects the serial sampler adapter 10 to the pump 30, so that the drawn air passes through the sampler adapter 10.

[0029] Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the air sampler adapter 10 can be used in two ways: as a stand-alone unit, or as a Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the assembly into a real-time airborne particle detection station 1 is shown in FIG.

[0030] When used in a real-time airborne particle detection station 1, the configuration is that the air sampler adapter 10 is detachably mounted, preferably in series, between the cavity 20 and the pump 30, so that the pump 30 draws the air in the cavity 20 through the air sampler adapter 10 and the air sampling unit 11 contained therein, so that the air in the cavity 20 drawn by the pump 30 passes through the air sampling unit 11. This allows the air sampling unit 11 to collect particles in the air passing through the air sampling unit 11 inside the air sampler adapter 10, and then allow the air sampling unit 11 to be displaced inside the air sampler adapter 10 for analysis elsewhere.

[0031] In other words, the inline air sampler adapter 10 is used to prevent contamination of the sample in the air sampling unit 11 when the sample is transported from its sampling location to the isolator. This means that sampling can be done in any environment, not necessarily in a clean room.

[0032] In order to reduce and preferably eliminate the risk of contamination, the air tightness between the air sampler adapter 10 and the cavity 20 (and therefore with the duct 21 ) is crucial and must be perfect so that the air sampler adapter 10 can be disassembled and moved without risk.

[0033] Thus, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a removable air sampler adapter 10, which includes a mechanism with an airtight lock that can be opened to let air pass (during sampling) and can be closed to keep the interior space of the air sampler adapter 10 isolated. Preferably, two locking mechanisms 12, 13 are on the air sampler adapter 10 to keep the air sampling unit 11 accommodated in the air sampler adapter 10 isolated: one locking mechanism for the air inlet and one locking mechanism for the air outlet.

[0034] In addition, at the outlet of the sampling source, that is, Figure 1 At the pipe 21 in the chamber, there is a corresponding locking mechanism to keep the outlet closed, thereby isolating the sampled air to prevent leakage or contamination when the serially connected air sampler adapter 10 is removed to prevent contamination of the chamber 20.

[0035] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Two different views of an air sampler adapter 10 with an air sampling unit 11 are shown. Any air sampling unit that meets the size requirements can be used. The preferred dimensions are 130 mm in diameter and 125 mm in height, but in general, the adapter can be sized to fit any sampling unit. The present invention is applicable to any type of sampling unit, including sampling units that include culture dishes.

[0036] The inline air sampler adapter 10 is used to connect any air sampling unit 11 to a source of air 20 to be sampled, using fittings 14 that provide an airtight connection. The locking mechanisms 12, 13 of the adapter 10 allow clean transport of the air sampling unit 11 through a non-sterile environment between a collection location and an analysis location without risk of contamination.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the air sampling unit 11 is retained in the air sampler adapter 10. The locking mechanisms 12, 13 can make the air sampler adapter 10 airtight to allow clean shipping, or to let air pass through for sampling.

[0038] The air sampler adapter 10 is suitable for airtightly accommodating an air sampling unit 11, which remotely samples the air in a cavity 20 via a pipe 21, and the air sampler adapter 10 includes: a main body portion 15, the main body portion 15 includes a cylindrical shell and a base portion 16, the base portion 16 includes a fixing device 161, wherein the fixing device 162 is configured to fix the air sampling unit 10 in the shell 15; a first end portion 17, the first end portion 17 includes a sampling air inlet 14 and a first locking mechanism 12, the first locking mechanism 12 is suitable for switching between an open position and an airtight closed position during sampling; and a second end portion 18, the second end portion 18 includes an air outlet 14' and a second locking mechanism 13, the second locking mechanism 13 is suitable for switching between an open position and an airtight closed position during sampling.

[0039] The air sampler adapter 11 is detachable from the conduit 21 connecting the air sampler adapter 11 to the chamber 20, and after the air sampler adapter 11 is detached, the first locking mechanism 12 and the second locking mechanism 13 are adapted to lock in an airtight closed position for clean transport.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the first locking mechanism 12 of the first end portion 17 .

[0041] The first locking mechanism, also referred to as the top mechanism 12, preferably comprises a top portion 121 and a bottom portion 122, wherein the top portion 121 is connected to the fitting 14, preferably a KF-25 fitting, so as to be able to connect to the pipe 21 and the cavity, and the bottom portion 122 is connected, preferably via screws, to the housing 15 of the air sampler adapter 10.

[0042] The upper and lower parts 121, 122 are preferably mounted to each other via a threaded mechanism 123, such that a slight twist of the two parts locks / unlocks the two parts.

[0043] Each of the parts 121, 122 comprises a hole 1211, 1221, which will constitute an air passage, and when the two parts 122, 122 are mounted together, the holes 1211, 1221 are aligned. In addition, each part 121, 122 has a hole closing module 1212, 1222, which will block the air passage in an airtight manner, and the air passage is blocked in an airtight manner thanks to the O-shaped rubber ring arranged around the hole.

[0044] In FIG4 , the hole closing modules 1212, 1222 have the form of a sliding tongue with an opening, which can be linearly displaced so as to align the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole 1211, 1221 of the part on which the sliding tongue is installed and open the passage, or completely misalign the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole 1211, 1221 of the part on which the sliding tongue is installed to close the passage. Alternatively, the hole closing modules 1212, 1222 can have a circular motion or have the same motion.

[0045] The upper part 121 and the lower part 122 are installed together to provide a gap 19 between the two hole closing modules 1212, 1222, which serves as a safety zone. Specifically, when the user wants to stop collecting and remove the adapter, the two hole closing modules 1212, 1222 are closed and form a contamination-free air buffer volume, which further protects the interior of the shell.

[0046] The second end portion 18 includes a fixing device 161 and is connected to the pump 30, the second end portion 18 including a locking mechanism identical to that used for the first end portion 17. However, since this portion is the outlet and the airflow is the exit airflow, a quick release fitting as shown is sufficient.

[0047] Thus, using an adapter 11 having two different locking mechanisms 12, 13 at the inlet and outlet both provides an enhanced airtightness due to the first locking mechanism and reduces the complexity of the overall device due to the quick release fitting at the outlet.

[0048] Although these embodiments have been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, particularly with respect to different devices that may be used.

Claims

1. An air sampler adapter (11), the air sampler adapter (11) being adapted to airtightly accommodate an air sampling unit (10), the air sampling unit (10) remotely sampling air in a region of interest via a pipeline (21), the air sampler adapter (11) comprising: A main body portion (15), the main body portion (15) comprising a housing and a base portion (16), the base portion (16) comprising a fixing device (161), wherein the fixing device (161) is configured to fix the air sampling unit (10) in the housing (15); a first end portion (17) comprising a sampling air inlet (14) and a first locking mechanism (12) adapted to switch between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position; as well as a second end portion (18), said second end portion (18) comprising an air outlet (14') and a second locking mechanism (13), said second locking mechanism (13) being adapted to switch between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position, It is characterized in that the air sampler adapter (11) can be removed from the pipe (21), and the pipe (21) connects the air sampler adapter (11) to the area of ​​interest, and after the air sampler adapter (11) is removed, the first locking mechanism (12) and the second locking mechanism (13) are suitable for locking in an airtight closed position for clean transportation.

2. The air sampler adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first end portion (17) and the second end portion (18) comprise fittings for connection to pipes (21, 31) connected to a pump and / or the region of interest.

3. The air sampler adapter according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air sampler adapter (11) is a series-connected air microorganism sampling adapter.

4. The air sampler adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The locking mechanism (13) of the second end portion (18) is a quick release locking mechanism.

5. The air sampler adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The locking mechanism (12) of the first end portion (17) comprises an upper portion (121) and a lower portion (122) mounted together, and both the upper portion (121) and the lower portion (122) have holes (1211, 1221) and hole closing modules (1212, 1222).

6. The air sampler adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper part (121) and the lower part (122) are preferably mounted to each other via a threaded mechanism (123).

7. The air sampler adapter according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: After assembly, the upper portion (121) and the lower portion (122) align the holes (1211, 1221) of the upper portion (121) and the lower portion (122) to provide an air passage.

8. The air sampler adapter according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each of the hole closing modules (1212, 1222) has the form of a sliding tongue with an opening, and the sliding tongue can be linearly displaced so as to align the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole (1211, 1221) of the part on which the sliding tongue is installed and open the channel, or to completely offset the opening of the sliding tongue with the hole (1211, 1221) of the part on which the sliding tongue is installed to close the channel.

9. The air sampler adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The upper portion (121) and the lower portion (122) are mounted together to provide a gap (19) between the two hole closing modules (1212, 1222).

10. An airborne particle detection station, comprising: a chamber (20) containing air to be analyzed; a pump (30), the pump (30) being adapted to draw air from the chamber (20); And an air sampler adapter (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The airborne particle detection station according to claim 10, wherein: The air sampler adapter (11) is preferably arranged in series between the chamber (20) and the pump (30).

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