Device for removing volatile organic compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sampling device for removing volatile organic compounds from the air, as well as to a method for characterizing said compounds and the use of this device to characterize the olfactory signature of an individual and enable a dog to identify an individual from its olfactory signature.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sampling device for collecting volatile organic compounds from the air, as well as a method for characterizing volatile organic compounds and the use of this device to characterize the odor signature of an individual and to enable a dog to identify an individual from its odor signature.

[0002] The field of the invention relates in particular to the field of sampling volatile organic compounds.

[0003] To date, there are two types of devices in the state of the art for collecting samples of volatile organic molecules: on the one hand, direct sampling devices consisting of placing an adsorbent phase directly on the object or individual to be studied in order to collect the compounds, and on the other hand, indirect sampling devices by air aspiration.

[0004] Among the direct sampling devices, compresses are very often used for sample collection in order to collect a large number of volatile organic molecules, but unfortunately cause background noise and contamination due to the presence of non-volatile compounds influencing laboratory results.

[0005] Indirect sampling devices based on air aspiration, generally coupled with a pump, reduce the noise generated by non-volatile compounds and eliminate the need for the person to be present during sampling.

[0006] Sampling devices are thus developed where a pump is coupled to a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) device to enrich a fiber contained within the device. The principle is based on solvent-free extraction followed by concentration of compounds, which are present in trace amounts in a liquid or gas, by adsorption onto a fused silica fiber (Arthur and Pawliszyn, 1990). However, the SPME device as described in patent EP1955068 and the publication by Meneses et al. (2013) shows results that are too imprecise due to the small quantities adsorbed and contamination depending on the air sample. Because of the adsorption onto the fused silica fiber, it is also impossible to reuse the sample for certain additional analyses.

[0007] Scent Transfer Unit (STU) devices are also indirect sampling devices, based on capturing volatile organic molecules present in aspirated air onto an adsorbent support such as gauze, followed by conventional chromatography (Eckenrode et al. 2006, Ensminger et al. 2010). These devices, as described in US patent 7448288, use sterile gauze or Hungarian gauze directly exposed to air at the device's tip, which leads to contamination that can affect subsequent laboratory analyses, as can the passage of airflow directly through the pump. Furthermore, the very design of the Scent Transfer Unit does not allow for optimal enrichment of the adsorbent support.

[0008] Finally, canister-type devices are pump-coupled devices that, in their active form, allow for the collection of air samples, which can then be used to enrich media such as SPME fibers. These devices are generally made of polished stainless steel treated with a special silica coating to facilitate air release. However, there is a risk of reactions between organic molecules and the canister metal. Furthermore, canisters do not contain a sorbent medium and rely on a subsequent enrichment method for a sorbent medium.

[0009] Other examples of volatile sampling devices can be found in publications JP2001235405A, EP3088887A1, CN204495779U.

[0010] Thus, there is now a need for devices that allow the collection of volatile organic compounds present in the air in infinitesimal quantities and allow their efficient analysis thanks to a sorbent support integrated into the device, which will be efficiently enriched to allow relevant results to be obtained, and which will be protected from contamination linked for example to non-volatile compounds.

[0011] Today, the Applicant is innovating in the sampling of volatile organic compounds by proposing a new device to meet these needs.

[0012] Indeed, the Applicant has developed a device for collecting volatile organic compounds from the air, comprising a sampling chamber, a remote pumping system based on alternating cycles of air intake and exhaust, a sorbent medium, a circuit enabling a recirculation system for the incoming airflow, and said remote pumping system based on alternating cycles of air intake and exhaust is a peristaltic pump. In a preferred embodiment, said device includes single-use connectors. Furthermore, the invention also includes a method for characterizing the volatile organic compounds collected using the device, and the use of the sorbent medium enriched by the device according to the invention to characterize the odor signature of an individual, and to enable a dog to identify an individual based on its odor signature.

[0013] Thus, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for collecting volatile organic compounds from the air, comprising the steps of: - Sampling of volatile organic compounds; - Removal of the sorbent support (5) from said sampling device; - Desorption of volatile organic compounds; - Gas chromatography; - Mass spectrometry the step of sampling volatile organic compounds being carried out using a device according to any one of the preceding claims

[0014] Volatile organic compounds, according to the invention and Article 2 of European Council Directive 1999 / 13 / EC of 11 March 1999, are defined as compounds containing at least the element carbon and one or more of the following elements: hydrogen, halogens, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, or nitrogen, excluding carbon oxides and inorganic carbonates and bicarbonates, and having a vapor pressure of 0.01 kPa or more at a temperature of 293.15 K or a corresponding volatility under specific conditions of use. They can thus be found in a location, on a surface, in a volume, etc.

[0015] Examples of volatile organic compounds identifiable by the device according to the invention may include, but are not limited to: (-)-Carvone; (.+ / -.)-Eldanolide; (+)-N-Allyl-α-methylbenzylamine; (1R)-2,6,6-Trimethylbicyclo[3,1.1]hept-2-ene; (1R,3S,4R,5S)-1-Isopropyl-4-methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-yl acetate-rel-; (2R,5R)-2-Methyl-5-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-2-vinyltetrahydrofuran; (2R,5S)-2-Methyl-5-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-2-vinyltetrahydrofuran; (3E,7E)-4,8,12-Trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene; “(3R,3aS,6S,7R)-3,6,8,8-; Tetramethyloctahydro-1H-3a,7- methanoazulen-6-ol”; (7a-Isopropenyl-4,5-dimethyloctahydroinden-4-yl)methanol; (E)-3(10)-Caren-4-ol; (E)-3-Methyl-5-((1R,4aR,8aR)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylenedecahydronaphthalen-1-yl)pent-2-en-1-ol; (S)-(+)-6-Methyl-1-octanol; (Z)-5-Decene; alpha. Isomethyl ionone; .alpha.,.alpha.'-Dihydroxy-m-diisopropylbenzene; .alpha.-Bisabolol; .alpha.-Cubebene;.alpha.-Ethyl-.alpha.-methylbenzyl alcohol ; .alpha.-lonone ; .alpha.-Methylstyrene ; .alpha.-Pinene ; .beta.-Hydroxypyruvic acid, trimethylsilyl ether, trimethylsilyl ester ; .beta.-Longipinene ; .beta.-Myrcene ; .beta.-Ocimene ; .beta.-Pinene ; .beta.-Pinene, 3-(acetylmethyl)- ; .gamma.-Terpinene ; 1-(2-Pyrazinyl)-1-ethanol ; 1(3H)-Isobenzofuranone ; 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylpent-4-en- 2-ol ; 1-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)propan-2-one ; 1,1,4,7-Tetramethyldecahydro-1H- cyclopropa[e]azulene-4,7-diol ; 1,10-Dimethyl-2-methylene-trans-decalin ; 1,1'-Bicyclooctyl ; 1,1'-Biphenyl, 4-methyl- ; 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2- methylpropyl) ester ; 1,2-Cyclohexanediol, 1-methyl-, trans- ; 1,2-Cyclohexanediol, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)- ; 1,2-Ethanediol ; 1,2-Ethanediol, monobenzoate ; 1,2-Octanediol ; 1,2-Pentanediol ; 1,3,5-Cycloheptatriene, 2,4-di-t-butyl-7,7-dimethyl- ; 1,3,5-Hexatriene, 3-methyl-, (Z)- ; 1,3,5-Triazine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-tert-butyl- 6-butylaminomethylthio- ;1,3-Benzodioxole-5-propanal, .alpha.-methyl- ; 1,3-Butanediol, (S)- ; 1,3-Cyclohexanediol, 2-methyl-2-nitro-, monoacetate (ester), [1s- (1.alpha.,2.beta.,3.alpha.)]- ; 1,3-Dimethylbutyl butyrate ; 1,3-Dioxane, 2,4-dimethyl- ; 1,3-Dioxolane-2-methanol ; 1,3-Octadiene ; 1,3-Pentanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl- ; 1,4-Benzenediol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- ; 1,5-Heptadiene, 3,6-dimethyl- ; 1,5-Hexadiene-3,4-diol, 2,5-dimethyl- ; 1,5-Hexadiene-3,4-diol, 3,4-dimethyl- ; 1,6-Dioxacyclododecane-7,12-dione ; 1,6-Nonadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimethyl- ; 1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1 ]heptan-6-ol ; 1,7-Octanediol, 3,7-dimethyl- ; 1,8-Nonadiene, 2,7-dimethyl-5-(1- methylethenyl)- ; 1,9-Tetradecadiene ; 10-Amino-10,11-dihydro-5- acetyldibenz[b,flazepine ; 10-Chlorotricyclo[4.2.2.0(1,5)]dec-7-ene ; 10-Methylnonadecane ; 10-Undecenal ; 10-Undecenenitrile ; 13-Methyltetradecanal ; 1-Butanamine, N-butyl-N-nitroso- ; 1-Butanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate ; 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, benzoate ;1-Butanol, TMS derivative ; 1-Decanol ; 1-Decanol, 2,2-dimethyl- ; 1-Decanol, 2-ethyl- ; 1-Decanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Decene ; 1-Decene, 2,4-dimethyl- ; 1-Decene, 4-methyl- ; 1-Dodecanol ; 1-Dodecen-3-ol ; 1-Ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone ; 1H-3a,7-Methanoazulene, octahydro-3,8,8-trimethyl-6-methylene-, [3R- (3.alpha.,3a.beta.,7.beta.,8a.alpha.)]- ; 1-Heptanol ; 1-Heptanol, 2-propyl- ; 1-Hepten-6-one, 2-methyl- ; 1-Heptene, 5-methyl- ; 1-Hexadecanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Hexene, 4-methyl- ; 1H-Inden-1-one, 2,3-dihydro- ; 1H-Inden-1-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,3,5,6- tetramethyl- ; 1H-Inden-1-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl- ; 1H-Pyrrole, 3-methyl- ; 1H-Pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, 1-methyl- ; 1H-Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3,4(2H,5H)-trione, 6-methyl- ; 1-Methoxy-2-propyl acetate ; 1-Nonanol ; 1-Nonanol, 4,8-dimethyl- ; 1-Nonene ; 1-Octanol ; 1-Octanol, 2-butyl- ; 1-Octanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Octanol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (S)- ; 1-Octen-3-ol ; 1-Octene ; 1-Oxaspiro[2.5]octane, 5,5-dimethyl-4-(3- methyl-1,3-butadienyl)- ;1-Pentadecene ; 1-Pentanol ; 1-Pentanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Penten-3-one, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2- cyclohexen-1-yl)- ; 1-Phenoxypropan-2-ol ; 1-Phenyl-2-octanone ; 1-Propanol, 2-(2-hydroxypropoxy)- ; 1-Propanol, 2,2'-oxybis- ; 1-Propanol, 2-methyl- ; 1-Propylcyclopentene ; 1-Tetradecanol ; 1-Tetradecanol, methyl ether ; 1-Tetradecene ; 1-Tetrazol-2-ylethanone ; 1-Tridecene ; 1-Undecanol ; 1-Undecene ; 1-Undecene, 4-methyl- ; 1-Undecene, 8-methyl- ; 1-Undecene, 9-methyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-butyldihydro- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-ethenyldihydro-5-methyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-ethyldihydro- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-ethyldihydro-5-methyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-heptyldihydro- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-hexyldihydro- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-methyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-(2-octenyl)-, (Z)- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl-5-(2- methylpropyl)- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl-5-phenyl- ; 2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-propyl- ; 2(5H)-Furanone ; 2(5H)-Furanone, 3-methyl- ;2(5H)-Furanone, 5,5-dimethyl- ; 2-(Methylsulphonyl)propane ; 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate ; 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-butanediol ; 2,3-Dichlorobenzonitrile ; 2,3-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol ; 2,3-Octanedione ; 2,4,6-Cycloheptatriene-1-carbonitrile ; 2,4,6-Octatriene, 2,6-dimethyl-, (E,Z)- ; 2,4,7,9-Tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol ; 2,4-Decadien-1-ol, (E,Z)- ; 2,4-Decadienal ; 2,4-Dichlorophenethyl alcohol ; 2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptene ; 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol ; 2,4-Hexadienal, (E,E)- ; 2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one, 2,6-bis(1,1- dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-4-methyl- ; 2,5-Cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, 2,6-bis(1,1- dimethylethyl)- ; 2,5-Dimethyl-1,5-hexadien-3-ol ; 2,5-Dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide ; 2,5-di-tert-Butyl-1,4-benzoquinone ; 2,5-Furandione, 3,4-dimethyl- ; 2,5-Furandione, 3-methyl- ; 2,5-Furandione, dihydro-3-methyl- ; 2,5-Furandione, dihydro-3-methylene- ; 2,5-Hexanediol, 2,5-dimethyl- ; 2,5-Hexanedione ; 2,6,10-Trimethyltridecane ; 2,6-Dichloroacetophenone ; 2,6-Dichlorostyrene ;2,6-Dimethyl-6-nitro-2-hepten-4-one ; 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (Z)- ; 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (E)- ; 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (Z)- ; 2,6-Octadiene, 4,5-dimethyl- ; 2-Butanone, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)- ; 2-Butanone, 4-(2,2-dimethyl-6- methylenecyclohexyl)- ; 2-Butanone, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)- ; 2-Butanone, 4-(5-methyl-2-furanyl)- ; 2-Buten-1-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3- cyclopenten-1-yl)- ; 2-Butenal, 2-ethenyl- ; 2-Butenal, 2-ethyl- ; 2-Butenal, 2-methyl-, (E)- ; 2-Butenal, 3-methyl- ; 2-Butene ozonide ; 2-Butenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methyl-2- propenyl ester, (E)- ; 2-Butenoic acid, 3-methyl- ; 2-Cyclohexen-1-one ; 2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 4-(1-methylethyl)- ; 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 2-methyl- ; 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 2-pentyl- ; 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2- (2-propenyl)- ; 2-Cyclopentene-1-carboxylic acid, 1-methyl-, methyl ester ; 2-Decanone ; 2-Decenal, (E)- ; 2-Dodecanone ; 2-Dodecene, (E)- ; 2-Dodecene, (Z)- ; 2-Ethylacrolein ;2-Ethylbutyric acid, dodecyl ester ; 2-Ethylbutyric acid, eicosyl ester ; 2-Ethylhexanol ; 2-Ethylhexyl salicylate ; 2-Ethylhexyl trans-4-methoxycinnamate ; 2-Ethyl-trans-2-butenal ; 2-Ethynyl pyridine ; 2-Furancarboxylic acid methyl ester ; 2-Furanmethanol, tetrahydro-5-methyl- ; 2-Furanone, 2,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl ; 2-Heptanol, 5-methyl- ; 2-Heptanone ; 2-Heptene, 3-methyl- ; 2-Hexanone ; 2-Hexene, 6,6-dimethoxy-2,5,5-trimethyl- ; 2-Hexyl-1-octanol ; 2H-Pyran, tetrahydro-2-(2-propynyloxy)- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, 6-ethyltetrahydro- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, tetrahydro- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, tetrahydro-6-methyl- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, tetrahydro-6-pentyl- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, tetrahydro-6-propyl- ; 2H-Pyran-2-one, tetrahydro-6-undecyl- ; 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-heptanone ; 2-Hydroxy-3-acetyl-6-methyl-4-pyrone ; 2-Hydroxy-iso-butyrophenone ; 2-Isopropenyl-5-methylhex-4-enal ; 2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-1-heptanol ; 2-Isopropylidene-5-methylhex-4-enal ; 2-Methoxy-3-methyl-butyric acid, methyl ester ; 2-n-Butyl furan ;2-n-Butylacrolein ; 2-n-Octylfuran ; 2-Nonadecanone ; 2-Nonanone ; 2-Nonenal ; 2-Nonenal, (E)- ; 2-Nonenal, 8-oxo- ; 2-Nonene ; 2-Norbornyl acetate ; 2-Octanone ; 2-Octen-1-ol, (E)- ; 2-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl- ; 2-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, isobutyrate, (Z)- ; 2-Octenal, (E)- ; 2-Octene, (E)- ; 2-Octene, 2-methyl-6-methylene- ; 2-Octyn-1-ol ; 2-Oxepanone ; 2-Pentadecanone ; 2-Pentanol, 2,4-dimethyl- ; 2-Pentanol, 3-chloro-2-methyl- ; 2-Pentanone, 3,3,4,4-tetramethyl- ; 2-Pentenal, (E)- ; 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate ; 2-Phenylethyl acetate ; 2-Propanol, 1-(2-butoxy-1-methylethoxy)- ; 2-Propanol, 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)- ; 2-Propanol, 1,1'-[(1-methyl-1,2- ethanediyl)bis(oxy)]bis- ; 2-Propanol, 1,1'-oxybis- ; 2-Propanol, 1-[2-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)- 1-methylethoxy]- ; 2-Propanol, 1-butoxy- ; 2-Propanone, 1-methoxy- ; 2-Propen-1-ol, 3-phenyl- ; 2-Propenoic acid, (1-methyl-1,2- ethanediyl)bis[oxy(methyl-2,1-ethanediyl)] ester ;2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 3,3,5- trimethylcyclohexyl ester ; 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-, (E)- ; 2-Propenoic acid, tridecyl ester ; 2-Propyl-1-pentanol ; 2-Pyrrol[tert- butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxymorphopropan-1-ol ; 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-methyl- ; 2-Tetradecanone ; 2-Tridecanone ; 2-Undecanone ; 2-Undecanone, 6,10-dimethyl- ; 2-Undecenal ; 2-Undecene, 3-methyl-, (Z)- ; 2-Undecene, 6-methyl-, (Z)- ; 3-((1S,5S,6R)-2,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-6-yl)propanal ; 3-(4-Isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropionaldehyde ; 3,5,9-Undecatrien-2-one, 6,10-dimethyl-, (E,Z)- ; 3,5-Heptadien-2-one, 6-methyl-, (E)- ; 3,6-Dioxa-2,4,5,7-tetrasilaoctane, 2,2,4,4,5,5,7,7-octamethyl- ; 3,7-Nonadien-2-ol, 4,8-dimethyl- ; 3-Allyl-6-methoxyphenol ; 3-Buten-1-ol, 3-methyl- ; 3-Buten-2-one, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)- ; 3-Carene ; 3-Cyclohexen-1-ol, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)- ; 3-Cyclohexen-1-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1- methylethyl)-, (R)- ; 3-Cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde ;3-Cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 1-methyl- ; 3-Cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 2,4,6- trimethyl- ; 3-Decene, 2,2-dimethyl-, (E)- ; 3-Decenoic acid ; 3-Dodecanol ; 3-Dodecene, (E)- ; 3-Dodecene, (Z)- ; 3-Ethyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-(2- methylpropenyl)cyclohex-2-enone ; 3-Furanmethanol ; 3-Heptyne ; 3-Hexanone, 5-methyl- ; 3-Hydroxy-3-phenylbutan-2-one ; 3-Isopropyl-4-methyl-1-pentyn-3-ol ; 3-Methoxy-4-methylheptane ; 3-Methoxyacetophenone ; 3-Methyl-2-butenoic acid, undec-2-enyl ester ; 3-Methylcyclopentyl acetate ; 3-Nonanol ; 3-Nonanone ; 3-Octanol, 3,6-dimethyl- ; 3-Octanol, 3,7-dimethyl- ; 3-Octanol, acetate ; 3-Octanone ; 3-Octene, 2,2-dimethyl- ; 3-Pentadecanone ; 3-Penten-2-one ; 3-Penten-2-one, (E)- ; 3-Penten-2-one, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2- cyclohexen-1-yl)- ; 3-Pentenoic acid, 4-methyl- ; 3-Undecene, 4-methyl- ; 4-(t-Butyl)benzaldehyde ; 4,14-Dimethyl-11- isopropyltricyclo[7.5.0.0(10,14)]tetradec-4-en- 8-one ; 4,7-methano-1H-inden-5-ol, 3a,4,5,6,7,7a- hexahydro-, acetate ;4,7-Methano-1H-indenol, hexahydro- ; 4,8,12-Tetradecatrienal, 5,9,13-trimethyl- ; 4-Butoxy-2-butanone ; 4-Cyanocyclohexene ; 4-Cyclopentene-1,3-dione ; 4-Ethylbenzoic acid, cyclobutyl ester ; 4-Ethylbenzoic acid, decyl ester ; 4-Hepten-3-ol, 4-methyl- ; 4H-Inden-4-one, 1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro- 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl- ; 4-Methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1- ene, 2TMS derivative ; 4-Octanol ; 4-Octanone ; 4-Phenylsemicarbazide ; 4-Terpinenyl acetate ; 4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate ; 4-Tridecene, (Z)- ; 4-Undecene, 5-methyl- ; 4-Undecene, 8-methyl-, (Z)- ; 5,9-Undecadien-1-yne, 6,10-dimethyl- ; 5,9-Undecadien-2-one, 6,10-dimethyl-, (Z)- ; 5-Dodecyne ; 5-Formylsalicylaldehyde ; 5H-1-Pyrindine ; 5-Hepten-2-one, 6-methyl- ; 5-Heptenal, 2,6-dimethyl- ; 5-Hexen-2-one, 5-methyl- ; 5-Hexen-2-one, 5-methyl-3-methylene- ; 5-Hexenal, 4-methylene- ; 5-Hydroxy-2-pyridinecarbaldehyde ; 5-Methyl-1-phenyloctane ; 5-Nonanol ; 5-Nonanone ; 5-Tridecene, (Z)- ; 6-(5-Methyl-furan-2-yl)-hexan-2-one ;6,6-Dimethyl-2-(3-oxobutyl)bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-one ; 6-Dodecene, (E)- ; 6-Dodecene, (Z)- ; 6-Methoxy-2-hexanol, TMS derivative ; 6-Methyl-3,5-heptadiene-2-one ; 6-Nonenal, (E)- ; 6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate ; 6-Tridecanol, 3,9-diethyl- ; 7,8-Diazabicyclo[4.2.2]deca-2,4,7,9-tetraen-7- oxide ; 7-Acetyl-6-ethyl-1,1,4,4-tetramethyltetralin ; 7a-Isopropenyl-4,5- dimethyloctahydroindene-4-carboxylic acid ; 7-Methyl-octadecane ; 7-Octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl- ; 7-Tetradecene ; 7-Tetradecene, (Z)- ; 8-Quinolinol, 2-methyl- ; 9-Decen-2-one, 5-methylene- ; 9-Dodecyn-1-ol ; 9-methylheptadecane ; 9-Oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one, 3-methyl-6- (tetrahydro-2H-2-pyranyloxy)- ; Acenaphthene ; Acetaldehyde ; Acetaldehyde, (3,3- dimethylcyclohexylidene)-, (E)- ; Acetamide, N,N-dibutyl- ; Acetamide, N,N-diethyl- ; Acetic acid ; Acetic acid, 2-acetoxymethyl-1,2,3- trimethylbutyl ester ; Acetic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester ; Acetic acid, 2-propyltetrahydropyran-3-yl ester ; Acetic acid, butyl ester ;Acetic acid, phenylmethyl ester ; Acetone ; Acetophenone ; Ambrox ; Amylene hydrate ; Anethole ; Arsenous acid, tris(trimethylsilyl) ester ; Azulene, 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4- dimethyl-7-(1-methylethenyl)-, [1S-(1.alpha.,7.alpha.,8a.beta.)]- ; Benzaldehyde ; Benzaldehyde, 2,4-dichloro- ; Benzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy- ; Benzaldehyde, 2-methyl- ; Benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-benzyloxy- ; Benzaldehyde, 3-methyl- ; Benzaldehyde, 4-methoxy- ; Benzaldehyde, 4-methyl- ; Benzenamine, 2-(1-methylethenyl)- ; Benzenamine, N-ethyl- ; Benzene, (1-butylheptyl)- ; Benzene, (1-butylhexyl)- ; Benzene, (1-ethyldecyl)- ; Benzene, (1-ethylnonyl)- ; Benzene, (1-ethylundecyl)- ; Benzene, (1-methyldecyl)- ; Benzene, (1-methylnonyl)- ; Benzene, (1-pentylheptyl)- ; Benzene, (1-propylheptyl)- ; Benzene, (1-propylnonyl)- ; Benzene, (1-propyloctyl)- ; Benzene, 1-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-4- methyl- ; Benzene, 1,2,3,4-tetramethyl- ; Benzene, 1,2,4-trimethyl- ; Benzene, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl)- ;Benzene, 1,3-bis(1-methylethenyl)- ; Benzene, 1,3-bis(1-methylethyl)- ; Benzene, 1,3-dichloro- ; Benzene, 1,3-dichloro-2-methyl- ; Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- ; Benzene, 1,4-bis(1-methylethenyl)- ; Benzene, 1-ethyl-3-methyl- ; Benzene, 1-methoxy-4-pentyl- ; Benzene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)- ; Benzene, 2-ethyl-1,4-dimethyl- ; Benzene, nonyl- ; Benzene, propyl- ; Benzene, tert-butyl- ; Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-oxo-, methyl ester ; Benzenemethanol, .alpha.,.alpha.,4-trimethyl- ; Benzenemethanol, .alpha.-ethenyl-.alpha.- methyl- ; Benzenemethanol, .alpha.-methyl-, acetate ; Benzenemethanol, 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)- ; Benzenepentanol, gamma.-methyl-, acetate ; Benzenepropanol, .alpha.,.alpha.-dimethyl- ; Benzenesulfonamide, N-ethyl-2-methyl- ; Benzoic acid ; Benzoic acid, 2,4-dichloro-, ethyl ester ; Benzoic acid, 2,6-dichloro-, methyl ester ; Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 2-methylbutyl ester ; Benzoic acid, 4-[6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2H-1,3- benzoxazin-3(4H)-yl]- ; Benzoic acid, undecyl ester ;Benzonitrile, 4-(4-propyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)- ; Benzophenone ; Benzothiazole ; Benzothiazole, 2-methyl- ; Benzyl alcohol ; beta-Caryophyllene ; Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, 1,3,7,7- tetramethyl- ; Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 1-methyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)- ; Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-one, 3,6,6-trimethyl- ; Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-, (1R)- ; Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl- ; Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, 2,6,6-trimethyl-3-(2- propenyl)-, (1.alpha.,2.beta.,3.alpha.,5.alpha.)- ; Biphenyl ; Boric acid, 3TMS derivative ; Butanal, 2-ethyl- ; Butane, 1,1,3-trimethoxy- ; Butanedioic acid, hydroxy-, diethyl ester ; Butanenitrile, 3-methyl- ; Butanoic acid ; Butanoic acid, 3-chloro- ; Butanoic acid, pentyl ester ; Butyl acetate ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene ; Butyrolactone ; Camphene ; Camphor ; Caprolactam ; Carbamic acid, phenyl ester ; Carbamodithioic acid, diethyl-, methyl ester ; Carbonic acid, eicosyl prop-1-en-2-yl ester ; Carbonic acid, nonyl prop-1-en-2-yl ester ;Carbonic acid, octadecyl vinyl ester ; Carbonic acid, octyl vinyl ester ; Carbonic acid, prop-1-en-2-yl undecyl ester ; Carbonic acid, tridecyl vinyl ester ; Carotol ; Cedrol ; Cinnamaldehyde, (E)- ; Cinnamaldehyde, .alpha.-pentyl- ; cis-.beta.-Farnesene ; cis-3-Hexenyl salicylate ; cis-Chrysanthenol ; cis-Cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol, diacetate ; cis-Hexahydrophthalide ; cis-Thujopsene ; Citronellol ; Cycloheptane, 4-methylene-1-methyl-2-(2- methyl-1-propen-1-yl)-1-vinyl- ; Cycloheptanone ; Cycloheptanone, 2-methyl- ; Cyclohexane, (2-methylpropyl)- ; Cyclohexane, (4-methylpentyl)- ; Cyclohexane, 1,1'-(1,2-dimethyl-1,2- ethanediyl)bis- ; Cyclohexane, 1,1,2-trimethyl- ; Cyclohexane, 1-ethenyl-1-methyl-2,4-bis(1- methylethenyl)-, [1S-(1.alpha.,2.beta.,4.beta.)]- ; Cyclohexane, 2-ethenyl-1,1-dimethyl-3-methylene- ; Cyclohexane, 2-ethyl-1,3-dimethyl- ; Cyclohexane, isocyanato- ; Cyclohexane, methyl- ; Cyclohexane, pentyl- ; Cyclohexanemethanol, 4-(1-methylethyl)-, cis- ;Cyclohexanemethanol, 4-(1-methylethyl)-, trans- ; Cyclohexanol, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)- ; Cyclohexanol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)- ; Cyclohexanol, 4-amino-, trans- ; Cyclohexanone ; Cyclohexanone, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-, cis- ; Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-, (R)- ; Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1- methylethylidene)- ; Cyclohexene, 4-[(1E)-1,5-dimethyl-1,4- hexadien-1-yl]-1-methyl- ; Cyclooctane, methyl- ; Cyclooctene, 3-methyl- ; Cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione ; Cyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyran, 1,3,4,6,7,8- hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl- ; Cyclopentadecanol ; Cyclopentane, 1,2-dibutyl- ; Cyclopentane, 1,3-dimethyl-, trans- ; Cyclopentane, 1-acetyl-1,2-epoxy- ; Cyclopentane, 1-butyl-2-propyl- ; Cyclopentane, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-, cis- ; Cyclopentane, 1-methyl-1-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)- ; Cyclopentane, 1-pentyl-2-propyl- ; Cyclopentane, 3-hexyl-1,1-dimethyl- ; Cyclopentane, decyl- ; Cyclopentane, nonyl- ; Cyclopentaneacetic acid, 3-oxo-2-pentyl-, methyl ester ;Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, nonyl ester ; Cyclopentanone ; Cyclopentanone, 2-(2-octenyl)- ; Cyclopentanone, 2-methyl-3-(1-methylethyl)- ; Cyclopentene, 1-octyl- ; Cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde, 2-methyl-2-(4- methyl-3-pentenyl)-, trans-(.+-.)- ; Cyclopropanemethanol, .alpha.,2-dimethyl-2- (4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, [1.alpha.(R*),2.alpha.]- ; Decanal ; Decane ; Decane, 1,1'-oxybis- ; Decane, 2,2-dimethyl- ; Decane, 2,6,7-trimethyl- ; Decane, 3,6-dimethyl- ; Decane, 4-methyl- ; Decanenitrile ; Decanoic acid ; Decanoic acid, methyl ester ; Decanoic acid, silver(1+) salt ; D-Galactose ; D-Glucitol, cyclic 1,3:2,4-bis(phenylboronate) 5,6-diacetate ; Dibenzofuran ; Dibutyl adipate ; Dichloroacetic acid, 4-pentadecyl ester ; Di-epi-.alpha.-cedrene ; Diethyl 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate ; Diethyl Phthalate ; Diethylcyanamide ; Dimethyl phthalate ; Dimethyl sulfone ; Dimethylaminomethyl-phosphonic acid diisobutyl ester ; Diphenyl ether ; D-Limonene ; Docosane ; Dodecanal ;Dodecanamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- ; Dodecane ; Dodecane, 1-chloro- ; Dodecane, 1-methoxy- ; Dodecane, 2,6,11-trimethyl- ; Dodecane, 4,9-dipropyl- ; Dodecanenitrile ; Dodecanoic acid ; Dodecanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester ; Dodecanoic acid, methyl ester ; Dodecyl nonyl ether ; Dodecyl octyl ether ; E-11(12-Cyclopropyl)dodecen-1-ol ; Eicosane ; Eicosane, 10-methyl- ; Estragole ; Estran-3-one, 17-(acetyloxy)-2-methyl-, (2.alpha.,5.alpha.,17.beta.)- ; Ethanedioic acid, diethyl ester ; Ethanol ; Ethanol, 1-(2-butoxyethoxy)- ; Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-, acetate ; Ethanol, 2-(dodecyloxy)- ; Ethanol, 2-(hexadecyloxy)- ; Ethanol, 2-(hexyloxy)- ; Ethanol, 2-(tetradecyloxy)- ; Ethanol, 2-butoxy- ; Ethanol, 2-nitro-, propionate (ester) ; Ethanol, 2-phenoxy- ; Ethanone, 1-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)- ; Ethanone, 1-(2,3-dihydro-1 H-inden-5-yl)- ; Ethanone, 1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)- ; Ethanone, 1-(2-methylphenyl)- ; Ethanone, 1-(3-methylenecyclopentyl)- ; Ethanone, 1-(3-methylphenyl)- ;Ethanone, 1,1'-(1,3-phenylene)bis- ; Ethanone, 1-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]- ; Ethanone, 1-[4-(1-hydroxy-1- methylethyl)phenyl]- ; Ethanone, 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenyl- ; ETHYL (S)-(-)-LACTATE ; Ethyl 4-acetylbenzoate ; Ethyl 7-(2-oxocyclopentyl)heptanoate ; Ethyl acetoxycarbamate ; Ethyl butyl ketone ; Ethyl palmitate ; Ethyl Vanillin ; Ethylbenzene ; Ethylene brassylate ; Eucalyptol ; Fenchol ; Formaldehyde ; Formamide, N,N-dibutyl- ; Formamide, N,N-diethyl- ; Formic acid, butyl ester ; Formic acid, ethenyl ester ; Formic acid, hexyl ester ; Formic acid, tetrahydrofurfuryl ester ; Fumaric acid, butyl cis-hex-3-enyl ester ; Furan, 2,3-dihydro- ; Furan, 2-methyl- ; Furan, 2-pentyl- ; Furfural ; Geraniol ; Geranyl acetate ; Glycerol 1,2-diacetate ; Glycidol ; Glycolaldehyde dimethyl acetal ; Glycolic acid, 2TMS derivative ; Heneicosane ; Heptadecane ; Heptadecane, 2-methyl- ; Heptadecane, 3-methyl- ; Heptadecane, 7-methyl- ; Heptanal ; Heptane ; Heptane, 1-chloro- ;Heptane, 2,4,6-trimethyl- ; Heptane, 4-methyl- ; Heptanediamide, N,N'-di-benzoyloxy- ; Heptanoic acid ; Heptanonitrile ; Hexadecanal, 2-methyl- ; Hexadecane ; Hexadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl- ; Hexadecane, 2-methyl- ; Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester ; Hexadecene ; Hexanal ; Hexanal, 2-ethyl- ; Hexane, 2,3-dimethyl- ; Hexane, 2-methyl- ; Hexane, 3,3,4-trimethyl- ; Hexane, 3-methyl- ; Hexanoic acid ; Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl- ; Hexanoic acid, 3,5,5-trimethyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester ; Hexyl octyl ether ; Hexylene glycol ; Hydrazinecarbothioamide, N-methyl- ; Hydrogen azide ; Indane ; Indol-2-one, 3-[2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-dihydro- ; Indole ; Isobornyl acetate ; Isobutyl acetate ; Isolongifolol ; Isoneral ; Isophorone ; Isopinocarveol ; Isopropoxycarbamic acid, ethyl ester ; Isopropyl Alcohol ; Isopropyl myristate ; Isopropyl palmitate ; Isopropylcyclobutane ; Isopulegol ; Isopulegol acetate ; L-.alpha.-Terpineol ; Lactic acid ; Lilial ; Limonene ;Linalool ; Linalyl acetate ; Lincomycin ; Longifolenaldehyde ; Longifolene ; I-Pantoyl lactone ; I-Valine, N-(3-methyl-1-oxobutyl)-, methyl ester ; Malonic acid, bis(2-trimethylsilylethyl ester ; m-Aminophenylacetylene ; m-Chloroaniline ; Menthol ; Mesitylene ; Methacrolein ; Methanone, (1-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenyl- ; Methoxyacetic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester ; Methyl 5-acetyl-2-methoxybenzoate ; Methyl 7,9-tridecadienyl ether ; Methyl Alcohol ; Methyl anthranilate ; Methyl Isobutyl Ketone ; Methyl octanoate ; Methyl salicylate ; Methyl tetradecanoate ; Methylamine, N-(1-methylheptylidene)- ; Methylparaben ; Myroxide ; N,N'-Diacetylethylenediamine ; N,N-Diethyl-N'-formyl-N'-methoxyurea ; Naphthalene ; Naphthalene, 1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7- dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S-cis)- ; Naphthalene, 1,6,7-trimethyl- ; Naphthalene, 1,7-dimethyl- ; Naphthalene, 1-methyl- ; Naphthalene, 2,3-dimethyl- ; Naphthalene, 2,7-dichloro- ; Naphthalene, 2-methoxy- ; Naphthalene, decahydro-, trans- ;n-Butyl ether ; n-Caproic acid vinyl ester ; n-Decanoic acid ; Neophytadiene ; n-Hexane ; n-Hexyl salicylate ; Nitric oxide ; n-Nonadecanol-1 ; n-Nonylcyclohexane ; Nona-3,5-dien-2-one ; Nonanal ; Nonane ; Nonane, 1-chloro- ; Nonane, 2-methyl-5-propyl- ; Nonane, 3-methyl- ; Nonane, 5-(1-methylpropyl)- ; Nonane, 5-(2-methylpropyl)- ; Nonanenitrile ; Nonanoic acid ; n-Pentadecanol ; n-Tridecan-1-ol ; Oct-3-enoic acid, oct-3-en-2-yl ester ; Octadecane ; Octadecane, 6-methyl- ; Octanal ; Octanal, 2-(phenylmethylene)- ; Octanal, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyl- ; Octane ; Octane, 1,1'-oxybis- ; Octane, 1-chloro- ; Octane, 2,7-dimethyl- ; Octane, 3,5-dimethyl- ; Octane, 4-methyl- ; Octanenitrile ; Octanoic acid ; Octanoic acid, octyl ester ; Octyl tetradecyl ether ; o-Cymene ; o-Hydroxybiphenyl ; Oleic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl ester stearate ; o-tert-Butyl cyclohexyl acetate 1 ; Oxacycloheptadec-8-en-2-one, (8Z) ; Oxacycloheptadecan-2-one ; Oxalic acid, 2-ethylhexyl hexyl ester ;Oxalic acid, 2-ethylhexyl isohexyl ester ; Oxalic acid, 2-ethylhexyl octyl ester ; Oxalic acid, 2-ethylhexyl pentadecyl ester ; Oxalic acid, 2TMS derivative ; Oxepine, 2,7-dimethyl- ; Oxime-, methoxy-phenyl-_ ; Oxirane, 3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl- ; Oxirane, decyl- ; Oxiranemethanol, 3-methyl-3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)- ; o-Xylene ; p-Cresol ; Pentadecanal- ; Pentadecane ; Pentadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl- ; Pentadecane, 3-methyl- ; Pentadecane, 6-methyl- ; Pentadecane, 8-hexyl- ; Pentadecanoic acid ; Pentanal ; Pentane, 1-chloro- ; Pentane, 2,3,3-trimethyl- ; Pentanedioic acid, dimethyl ester ; Pentanoic acid ; Pentanoic acid, 2,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-, methyl ester ; Phenol ; Phenol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)- ; Phenol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-methyl- ; Phenol, 2,4-dichloro- ; Phenol, 3-methyl- ; Phenol, 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)- ; phenoxyethanol, TMS derivative ; Phenylethyl Alcohol ; Phthalic anhydride ; Piperonal ; p-Menth-8-en-1 -ol, stereoisomer ; p-Mentha-1,5,8-triene ;p-Mentha-1,5-dien-8-ol ; Propanal, 2-methyl-3-phenyl- ; Propanal, 3-methoxy- ; Propanamide, N-acetyl- ; Propane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxy- ; Propane, 1,1-dimethoxy-2-methyl- ; Propane, 2-ethoxy-2-methyl- ; Propane-1,3-diol, 2-methyl- ; Propanedioic acid, 2TMS derivative ; Propanoic acid ; Propanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl- ; Propanoic acid, 2-[4-(1-formylethyl)phenyl]-, methyl ester ; Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-propanediyl ester ; Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-3- hydroxyhexyl ester ; Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, octyl ester ; Propanoic acid, 3-(2- hydroxycyclobutylidene)-2-methyl-, [R*,R*- (E)]- ; Propanol, [(butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]- ; Propylene Carbonate ; Propylene Glycol ; Propylene ozonide ; Propylparaben ; p-Xylene ; Pyrazine, 2,6-dimethyl- ; Pyridine ; Pyridine, 3-methyl- ; Pyrrole ; Pyrrolidine, 1,1'-methylenebis- ; Quinoline ; Quinoline, 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl- ; rotundene ; Salicylic acid, 1-methylpropyl ether, 1- methylpropyl ester ;sec-Butyl acetate ; Spiro[2.4]heptane-5-methanol, 5-hydroxy- ; Squalene ; Stearic acid hydrazide ; Styrene ; Tetracosane ; Tetradecane ; Tetradecane, 2-methyl- ; Tetradecane, 3-methyl- ; Tetradecane, 5-methyl- ; Tetradecanoic acid ; Tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]azetidin-2-one ; Tetramethyl thiourea ; tetramethylpyrazine ; Thioacetic acid ; Thiocyanic acid, ethyl ester ; Thiophene, tetrahydro-2-methyl- ; Toluene ; trans-.beta.-lonone ; trans-2-Dodecen-1-ol ; trans-8-Methyl-1.beta.-acetyl-hydrindane ; trans-Decalin, 2-methyl- ; Tri(1,2-propyleneglycol), monomethyl ether ; Triacetin ; Tridecanal ; Tridecane ; Tridecane, 3-methylene- ; Tridecane, 6-methyl- ; Tridecanenitrile ; Tridecanoic acid ; Tridecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-, ethyl ester ; Triethyl citrate ; Undec-10-ynoic acid, isobutyl ester ; Undecanal ; Undecanal, 2-methyl- ; Undecane ; Undecane, 2,5-dimethyl- ; Undecane, 2,7-dimethyl- ; Undecane, 2-methyl- ; Undecane, 3,6-dimethyl- ; Undecane, 3-methyl- ; Undecane, 3-methylene- ;Undecane, 6-ethyl-; Undecane, 6-methyl-; Undecanenitrile; Undecanoic acid; Vanillin; Z-2-Octadecen-1-ol acetate.;

[0016] The sampling chamber is understood to be the "nose" of the device, namely the place through which the airflow enters the device.

[0017] According to the invention, a remote pumping system based on alternating cycles of suction and ejection of the airflow is understood to be an air pumping system that prevents the system from being polluted, for example by metallic particles from the pump, or any kind of volatile organic compounds from plastics or any other element of the pump, or by residual vapors within the pumping mechanism from a previous sampling and thus polluting the next sampling.

[0018] Such pumping systems include peristaltic pumps, which are based on the alternating compression and decompression of a pipe or tube containing a gas or liquid, with the airflow not passing directly through the pump. A similar pumping system, useful for understanding the invention, could be one using two pumps with complementary properties to achieve a pulsed effect, or a device that, under the action of a current, deforms a material which then returns to its original shape, the alternation of these deformations generating a pulsed airflow.

[0019] In the present invention, said pumping system is a peristaltic pump.

[0020] According to the invention, a sorbent support is defined as a support capable of retaining volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained in the airflow passing through it. Retaining the VOCs is defined as the VOCs being bound to the surface or within the support by a physical and / or chemical process. This retention is reversible, and the compounds can be released by desorption techniques.

[0021] According to the invention, a circuit allowing a recirculation system for the incoming airflow is understood to mean a system which allows the airflow to be reintroduced into the sampling chamber after passing through the sorbent phase, and a large part of the air having already passed through the sorbent support to be pumped back by the device to enrich the sorbent support again.

[0022] Preferably according to the invention, said sorbent support is an absorbent support. An absorbent support is understood to be a support capable of putting into a work A physical and / or chemical process allows volatile organic compounds to enter and be retained within the substance. This retention is reversible, and the compounds can be released using desorption techniques.

[0023] Preferably according to the invention, said absorbent support is selected from cyclodextrins, sodium bisulfite, and / or dinitrophenylhydrazine.

[0024] Preferably, according to the invention, said sorbent support is an adsorbent support. An adsorbent support is understood to be a support capable of implementing a physical and / or chemical process resulting in the retention of volatile organic compounds on its surface. This retention is reversible, and the compounds can be released by desorption techniques.

[0025] Preferably according to the invention, said adsorbent support is selected from compresses, polydimethylsiloxane patches, graphitized black carbons, molecular sieves, alumina, silica, and / or organic polymers, or a combination thereof.

[0026] According to the invention, compresses are understood to be folded pieces of gauze commonly used in the medical field. Examples include sterile hydrophilic compresses and Hungarian compresses.

[0027] Carbon black or activated carbon, activated charcoal, vegetable carbon, graphite black carbon, furnace black, thermal black, tunnel black, acetylene black, or lamp black is understood according to the invention to be a form of carbon treated to make it very porous and thus increase its very large surface area available for adsorption.

[0028] Examples of carbon black understood according to the invention may include products known as "Carbograph®", "Carbotrap®", "Carbopack®"

[0029] According to the invention, molecular sieves are defined as solid and porous materials having the property of acting as a sieve at the molecular level. Examples include crystalline metal aluminosilicates having a three-dimensional interconnected network of silica and alumina tetrahedra.

[0030] Examples of molecular sieves understood according to the invention may include zeolite or products known as "Carbosieves ®<", and "Carboxen ®<".

[0031] Examples of organic polymers understood according to the invention may include, in particular, the products known as "Chromosorb ®<", "Porapak ®<", "Sorb-Star ®<", "Amberlites ®< XAD", and "Tenax ®<", the latter being composed of Poly(2,6-diphenylphenylene oxide).

[0032] Combination refers to multiple media comprising different types of said media. For example, SPME DVB-carboxen-PDMS fibers can be cited.

[0033] Even more preferably according to the invention, said absorbent support is an organic polymer known as "Sorb-Star ®<".

[0034] Preferably according to the invention, the circuit is closed by sealing the sampling chamber during the recirculation of the airflow.

[0035] According to the invention, closure means that the sampling chamber closes once the airflow has entered in order to close the circuit.

[0036] According to the invention, a closed circuit means that the same airflow passes several times through the sorbent support in order to enrich it.

[0037] Preferably according to the invention, the circuit is composed of single-use connectors.

[0038] Single use is understood according to the invention to mean that said connectors are not intended to be reused, and that they can therefore be discarded after use.

[0039] These single-use connectors are used to limit the risk of system contamination.

[0040] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for characterizing volatile organic compounds present in the air at a ratio of at least one part per billion, comprising the steps of: - Sampling of volatile organic compounds using the device according to the invention; - Removal of the sorbent support of said sampling device; - Desorption of volatile organic compounds; - Gas chromatography; - Mass spectrometry.

[0041] According to the invention, "parts per billion" (ppb) is understood to be the French equivalent of "parts per trillion" (ppt) in English, corresponding to a ratio of 10-12.

[0042] According to the invention, sampling of volatile organic compounds means applying the device according to the invention to the location where the characterization of volatile organic compounds is necessary in order to enrich a sorbent support with said volatile organic compounds present at that location.

[0043] Preferably according to the invention, this sampling of volatile organic compounds is carried out for the purpose of characterizing the odor signature of an individual.

[0044] According to the invention, an odor signature is understood to be an odor that characterizes an individual. Volatile organic compounds constitute human odor, which can be summarized as being composed of three types of odors. The primary odor, stable over time and characteristic of a person, has a genetic component related to the major histocompatibility complex, as well as a component linked to the sebaceous and sweat glands, and to bacteria. The secondary odor, on the other hand, is variable and consists of endogenous compounds originating, as with the primary odor, from the sebaceous and sweat glands and bacteria, but also from the environment in which the individual lives, their diet, etc. Finally, the tertiary odor is even more variable than the secondary odor and consists of exogenous compounds, such as bacteria, and cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, etc., used by the individual. These components form an individual's odor signature.

[0045] Preferably according to the invention, said method allows the characterization of volatile organic compounds present in the air at a ratio of up to one part per thousand.

[0046] Preferably according to the invention, this sample is taken from a crime scene.

[0047] Preferably according to the invention, said sampling is carried out in a vehicle.

[0048] Preferably according to the invention, said sampling is carried out near an industrial production or manufacturing line.

[0049] According to the invention, an industrial production or manufacturing chain is defined as a chain comprising a series of steps, for example, carried out in a factory, which may be automated or involve human personnel and which enables the production or manufacture of a product. This industrial production or manufacturing chain may therefore release volatile organic compounds into the air due to the products, materials, or machines used.

[0050] Preferably according to the invention, said sample is taken near a patient.

[0051] Preferably according to the invention, said sampling is carried out in a place that has suffered a fire.

[0052] Preferably according to the invention, said sampling is carried out for a period of 1 minute to 24 hours.

[0053] Even more preferably according to the invention, said sampling is carried out for a period of 5 minutes to 10 hours.

[0054] According to the invention, removal of the sorbent support means the removal of said support from the sampling device.

[0055] Desorption of volatile organic compounds is understood to be the reverse step of sorption, namely the detachment of volatile organic compounds from the sorbent support.

[0056] Preferably according to the invention, said method is carried out using an air sample.

[0057] Even more preferably according to the invention, said air sample originates from a confined space. Non-limiting examples of confined spaces may include a vehicle, a room in a building, or an elevator.

[0058] Preferably, said air sample has a volume ranging from 1dm³ to 10m³ of air.

[0059] Preferably according to the invention, said desorption step is a thermal desorption step. According to the invention, a thermal desorption step, or thermal desorption step, is understood to mean the extraction of volatile compounds present on the surface or within the sorbent support by applying a heat source.

[0060] Preferably according to the invention, the thermal desorption step is carried out by heating to a temperature between 150°C and 300°C, for a period of between 1 minute and 60 minutes.

[0061] Even more preferably according to the invention, the thermal desorption step is carried out by heating to a temperature between 200°C and 280°C, for a period of between 5 minutes and 20 minutes.

[0062] According to the invention, gas chromatography is understood to be a technique for separating volatile organic compounds based on their affinity for a stationary phase.

[0063] Preferably according to the invention, the gas chromatography step is a two-dimensional gas chromatography step. This two-dimensional gas chromatography, or bidimensional gas chromatography, is characterized by the fact that the separation of the compounds is carried out through two columns, placed one after the other, and coupled by a modulation system.

[0064] Mass spectrometry step is understood according to the invention to be a technique which makes it possible to detect and identify volatile organic compounds by measuring their mass, and to obtain structural data.

[0065] Chromatography and mass spectrometry steps allow for the analysis and characterization of these volatile organic compounds.

[0066] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of the device according to the invention to characterize the odor signature of an individual.

[0067] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to the use of the device according to the invention to enrich a sorbent support and enable a dog to identify an individual from its odor signature.

[0068] According to the invention, the term "dog" preferably refers to a detection dog trained by the police and / or gendarmerie to detect materials or individuals. Non-limiting examples of detection dog breeds include the Belgian Malinois, the German Shepherd, the Belgian Shepherd Tervuren, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Springer Spaniel, the Beagle, and the Bloodhound.

[0069] The various aspects of this invention allow for a range of applications, though not limited to these. Firstly, it can be used in forensics, for example, in the search for criminals, the detection of hydrocarbons at fire scenes, or more generally in chemical analysis in a broad sense. It can also be applied to rescue operations, in the search for missing persons, or in the medical field for early diagnosis, for example, in the identification of signature molecules of cancers, or even in industrial sectors such as food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.

[0070] There [ Fig. 1 ] describes an example of a device according to the invention.

[0071] In relation to the figure, the sampling chamber (1) of the device according to the invention allows air to enter the device. The incoming airflow (2) is drawn through the sorbent support (5) by means of the remote pumping system (4). The recirculating airflow (3) is then redirected by the connectors (6) to the sampling chamber (1).

[0072] Example 1: Use of the device according to the invention during operations to search for an individual.

[0073] An operator wearing a sealed suit sets up the device according to the invention comprising, with reference to the figures, a sampling chamber (1), a remote pumping system (4), a sorbent support (5) and a circuit (6) allowing the recirculation (3) of the incoming airflow (2) towards the sampling chamber, in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in which one wishes to search for the presence of an odor signature of an individual who may have stayed in the vehicle.

[0074] The operator starts the remote pumping system (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0075] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is carefully removed from the device according to the invention, so as not to contaminate it.

[0076] The sorbent support (5) is then sent to the laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0077] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the characterization of the odor signature present in the vehicle.

[0078] This olfactory signature can then be compared to that of the individual, characterized in an environment where the person sought has been present, and thus allow conclusions to be drawn as to their presence in this vehicle.

[0079] Example 2: Use of the device according to the invention following a break-in at a dwelling (break-in, home jacking, violence perpetrated against a person...).

[0080] Operators wearing waterproof suits place several devices according to the invention in the dwelling where the break-in, home jacking or violence took place.

[0081] The operators start the pumping systems (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent supports (5) according to the invention.

[0082] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping systems (4) are stopped and the sorbent supports (5) are carefully removed from the devices according to the invention, so as not to contaminate them.

[0083] The sorbent supports (5) are then sent to the laboratory, and are desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0084] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the characterization of the odor signature present in the dwelling.

[0085] This olfactory signature is then used when a suspect is apprehended, once his olfactory signature has been characterized, in order to identify him and to characterize his presence at the scene of the crime.

[0086] Example 3: Use of the device according to the invention to identify volatile organic compounds that are part of the composition of flammable products.

[0087] An operator wearing a sealed suit places the device according to the invention in the passenger compartment of a burnt-out vehicle in which the presence of volatile organic compounds that may be part of the composition of flammable products, such as, for example, denatured alcohol, fuels, solvents, or diluents such as white spirit, is to be sought.

[0088] The operator starts the pumping system (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0089] After 30 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is carefully removed from the device according to the invention, so as not to contaminate it.

[0090] The sorbent support (5) is then sent to the laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0091] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the characterization of volatile organic compounds present in the charred vehicle.

[0092] The identified volatile organic compounds can then be compared to those contained in various flammable products and thus identify the flammable product used to burn the vehicle.

[0093] Example 4: Use of the device according to the invention on an industrial production or manufacturing line to determine the content of volatile organic compounds released and exposed to personnel, and potentially identify a problem in the industrial line.

[0094] An operator places the device according to the invention near the production / manufacturing line for which the emissions of organic compounds are to be determined.

[0095] The operator starts the pumping system (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0096] After 8 hours of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is carefully removed from the device according to the invention, so as not to contaminate it.

[0097] The sorbent support is then sent to the laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0098] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by two-way gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the characterization of volatile organic compounds released by the production / manufacturing chain.

[0099] The identified volatile organic compounds can then be compared to those classically released by the production line, in order to characterize a manufacturing drift linked to a problem on the production line, and the volatile organic compounds to which personnel are exposed.

[0100] Example 5: Use of the device according to the invention in the medical field for non-invasive odor sampling for diagnostic purposes (search for target molecules or markers).

[0101] An operator places the device according to the invention near a patient for whom the presence of volatile organic compounds is to be determined.

[0102] The operator starts the pumping system (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0103] After 15 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support (5) is carefully removed from the device according to the invention, so as not to contaminate it.

[0104] The sorbent support (5) is then sent to the laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0105] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the volatile organic compounds present in the patient's odor to be characterized.

[0106] The identified volatile organic compounds are then compared to those classically identified in different pathologies, and thus the operator can arrive at a relevant diagnosis for the patient, without invasive sampling.

[0107] Example 6: Use of the device according to the invention in the medical field as part of therapy monitoring.

[0108] An operator places the device according to the invention near a patient for whom the presence of volatile organic compounds is to be determined.

[0109] The operator starts the pumping system (4) according to the invention in order to enrich the sorbent support (5) according to the invention.

[0110] After 15 minutes of use, said pumping system (4) is stopped and the sorbent support is carefully removed from the device according to the invention, so as not to contaminate it.

[0111] The sorbent support (5) is then sent to the laboratory, and is desorbed by applying a heat source.

[0112] The desorbed elements are then analyzed and identified by bidirectional gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, allowing the volatile organic compounds present in the patient's odor to be characterized.

[0113] The volatile organic compounds identified are then compared to those identified during the previous study carried out for the same patient, in order to detect, without invasive sampling, the emission of new molecules or markers that could be an indication of the development of a pathology or the recovery of a patient.

[0114] In this example, the device according to the invention is used regularly in order to obtain patient monitoring.

Claims

1. Device for sampling volatile organic compounds in the air, comprising: - a sampling chamber (1) allowing an airflow to enter the device; - a remote pumping system (4) based on alternating cycles of suctioning and ejecting the airflow; - a sorbent support (5); - a circuit for a system for recirculating the incoming airflow (2); characterized in that said remote pumping system (4) based on alternating cycles of suctioning and ejecting the airflow is a peristaltic pump.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said sorbent support (5) is an absorbent support.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said sorbent support (5) is an adsorbent support.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said absorbent support is selected from cyclodextrins, sodium bisulfite, and / or dinitrophenylhydrazine.

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said adsorbent support is selected from compresses, polydimethylsiloxane patches, carbon blacks, molecular sieves, and / or organic polymers, or a combination thereof.

6. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit is closed by sealing the sampling chamber (1) during the recirculation (3) of the airflow.

7. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit is made up of single-use connections (6).

8. Method for distinguishing volatile organic compounds present in the air, comprising the steps of: - sampling the volatile organic compounds; - removing the sorbent support (5) from said sampling device; - desorbing the volatile organic compounds; - performing gas chromatography; - performing mass spectrometry, characterized in that the step of sampling the volatile organic compounds is carried out using a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that it is carried out using an air sample.

10. Method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the desorption step consists of a thermal desorption step.

11. Method according to claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the gas chromatography step consists of a two-dimensional gas chromatography step.

12. Use of the device according to claims 1 to 7 in order to distinguish the scent signature of an individual.

13. Use of the device according to claims 1 to 7 in order to enrich a sorbent support (5) and allow a dog to identify an individual from their scent signature.

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