Environmental sampling apparatus

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for sampling environmental fluid, the apparatus comprising: a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe, the syringe support frame comprising: a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe; and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe; a syringe operation apparatus configured to linearly displace the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame; a force sensor configured to sense force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the barrel of the syringe; and a position sensor configured to sense the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element. Also provided are a syringe assembly, a multi- syringe assembly, systems and methods.

Description

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING APPARATUS

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for sampling environmental fluid and associated methods.BACKGROUND

[0002] The collection of samples of water from waterways and the environment can be desirable, because the water can contain material from the environment which is indicative of the state of the environment. For example, DNA may be extracted from collected waterwhich can provide information about organisms living in the environment. It is known to collect water from waterways using a syringe device.

[0003] Such a syringe device may be a manual syringe which a person can use by going to the location forwater collection, such as a riverbank, and collecting water using the syringe. This method requires a person to be present in the field at the location forwater sampling, which requires time for the person to attend the site of interest, and may be hazardous for the person, due to leaning over a natural waterway at the edge of the water. Electromechanical sampling devices contain measurement sensors, such as a flowmeter to determine the amount of water being collected, in the water path. Thus, after use, the device must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination of a collected sample with material left over from a previous collection. Even if a disposable syringe is used in the system, the other elements of the system such as the flowmeter and any other portion through which water passes must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid cross contamination.

[0004] There are examples of sampling devices which do not necessarily require a person to be present to operate the sampler. Typically such systems are brought to the site of interest by a person, located in the waterway to be sampled, and then remotely activated to collect water from the site. These systems are arranged so that the water being collected passes through tubing which, again, includes measurement sensors such as a flowmeter. After use at the site, the entire device must be removed from the site and thoroughly cleaned to remove any trace of the collected water before the system can be redeployed in any location, to avoid contamination of a newly collected sample with material from a previous sample collection.

[0005] There is a need in the art to improve apparatus for water collection from the environment, for example which mitigates against risk to the human operator being present in the field in a hazardous location, and preferably which reduces the necessity of thoroughly cleaning at least portions of the water collection device to avoid cross contamination. It is an aim of the present invention to mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] In an aspect there is provided an apparatus for sampling environmental fluid, the apparatus comprising: a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe, the syringe support frame comprising: a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe; and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe; a syringe operation apparatus configured to linearly displace the syringe barrel supportelement with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame; a force sensor configured to sense force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the barrel of the syringe; and a position sensor configured to sense the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element. The position sensor may be configured to detect changes in position due to movement of the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel.

[0007] “Environmental fluid” may be taken to mean liquid and / or gas sampled from the environment; this may be the natural world (e.g. rivers, lakes, ponds), a processing environment (e.g. a brewery, food processing plant, chemical plant, factory), a laboratory environment (e.g. a bioreactor, a chemistry laboratory), or other environment. For example, water sampled from waterways such as rivers and lakes is an example of environmental fluid. This example may be called environmental water. It may contain environmental DNA, or “eDNA”, which is DNA from organic matter (e.g. fish, insects, plants) in the water sample. The sampled water or gas may also or otherwise contact other matter such as microbial matter, chemical matter and some species.

[0008] The apparatus may further comprise a housing within which the force sensor, the position sensor, and the syringe operation apparatus are located and sealed. The housing may form a submersible protective housing; e.g. submersible in water to a depth of up to 100 m. The housing may be made from aluminium but may be made from other materials such as titanium. The housing may have a wall thickness of for example, up to 3mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 10mm, or more than 10mm. The housing may be sealed using any suitable sealing method, for example, screwed end caps and a compressible gasket material which is compressed to form a seal between the housing body and end caps. In other example the housing may not necessarily be submersible, for example if not used in a liquid.

[0009] The syringe plunger support element may be fixedly connected to the housing and the syringe barrel support element may be slidably connected to the housing by a syringe barrel travel element, the syringe barrel travel element configured to, under control of the syringe operation apparatus, cause the syringe barrel support element to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe plunger support element and the housing.

[0010] The syringe barrel support element may be fixedly connected to the housing and the syringe plunger support element may be slidably connected to the housing by a syringe plunger travel element, the syringe plunger travel element configured to, under control of the syringe operation apparatus, cause the syringe plunger support element to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe barrel support element and the housing.

[0011] The force sensor and the position sensor may be located on respective sensor support surfaces of the syringe support frame. In this way, the force and position may be sensed by sensors outside the fluid pathway, so the sensors remain dry and do not contact the fluid being sampled. By locating the force sensor and / or the position sensor in the apparatus in a “dry” portion of theapparatus, when the apparatus is in use, the force sensor and / or the position sensor do not contact the environmental fluid and remain dry. This means they do not need to be cleaned between apparatus uses since they do not contact (and become contaminated by) sampled environmental fluid. The position sensor may comprise a Hall effect position sensor. The force sensor may comprise a load cell.

[0012] The apparatus may comprise an external connector configured to connect to one or more of: an external power supply; an external communications apparatus; and a retrieval cable to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the apparatus

[0013] In an aspect there is provided a syringe assembly comprising any apparatus disclosed herein, and a syringe supported by the syringe support frame; the syringe comprising: a barrel comprising a barrel flange at a proximal end of the barrel and an barrel sample inlet port at a distal end of the barrel; and a plunger comprising a plunger flange at a proximal end of the plunger and a plunger seal at a distal end of the plunger, the plunger seal configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel; wherein the barrel flange is supported by the syringe barrel support element; and wherein the plunger flange is supported by the syringe plunger support element.

[0014] The syringe assembly may further comprise a filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising: a collection filter configured to collect environmental matter from environmental fluid; a filter inlet port; and a valve; the valve comprising: an environmental sample inlet port configured to receive the environmental fluid from the environment; a syringe connection port connected to the barrel sample inlet port; and a filter connection port connected to the filter inlet port; the valve configured to allow the environmental fluid to pass along a fluid path from the environmental sample inlet port to the barrel sample inlet port, and from the barrel sample inlet port to the filter connection port.

[0015] The syringe assembly may further comprise a preservative module, the preservative module located between the filter assembly and the environment, the preservative module comprising: a preservative module connection port connected to the environmental sample inlet port of the valve; a second environmental sample inlet port configured to receive an environmental fluid from the environment; an air inlet point configured to receive air; and a preservative inlet port configured to receive a preservative; the preservative module configured to: a) allow environmental fluid to enter the barrel of the syringe; b) allow air to enter the collection filter for removal of residual environmental fluid and for drying environmental material therein; and c) allow preservative to enter the collection filter for preserving environmental material remaining in the filter following air drying.

[0016] In an aspect there is provided a multi-syringe assembly, comprising any apparatus disclosed herein; a syringe support plate comprising a plurality of syringe support locations each configured to removably support a barrel of a syringe between proximal and distal ends of the barrel; and an apparatus positioning element configured to position the apparatus respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations and engage the syringe support frame of the apparatus with a syringe supported at the syringe support location.

[0017] The multi-syringe assembly may further comprise: at least one syringe supported by the syringe support frame; the at least one syringe comprising: a barrel comprising a barrel flange at a proximal end of the barrel and an barrel sample inlet port at a distal end of the barrel; and a plunger comprising a plunger flange at a proximal end of the plunger and a plunger seal at a distal end of the plunger, the plunger seal configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel; wherein the barrel flange is supported by the syringe barrel support element; and wherein the plunger flange is supported by the syringe plunger support element.

[0018] The plurality of syringe support locations may be positioned in a ring in the syringe support plate; and the apparatus positioning element may be connected to the syringe support plate in the centre of the ring, and may be configured to rotationally position the apparatus respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations.

[0019] The multi-syringe assembly may further comprise an apparatus positioning element controller configured to rotationally position the apparatus respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations.

[0020] The multi-syringe assembly may further comprise at least one preservative container configured to, following actuation of a syringe to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter, provide preservative from the at least one preservative container to the collection filter of the actuated syringe. The multi-syringe assembly may further comprise a plurality of preservative containers each corresponding to a respective syringe, the apparatus positioning element configured to: following actuation of a syringe to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter; actuate the preservative container corresponding to the actuated syringe to transfer preservative from the preservative container to the collection filter.

[0021] The apparatus positioning element controller may be further configured to rotationally position the apparatus to actuate the preservative container corresponding to the actuated syringe following actuation of the syringe.

[0022] The multi-syringe assembly may further comprise a common preservative container and a preservative transfer element, the preservative transfer element configured to: following actuation of a syringe to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter; collect preservative from the common preservative container and transfer the collected preservative to the actuated syringe to transfer preservative from the common preservative container to the collection filter.

[0023] In an aspect there is provided a system comprising: any apparatus disclosed herein; or any syringe assembly disclosed herein; or any multi-syringe assembly disclosed herein; and a controller configured to one or more of: receive syringe operation control signalling configured to control operation of a syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus; determine one or more operation commands to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation; and output the oneor more operation commands to the apparatus to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation.

[0024] The controller may be configured to: receive force signalling from the force sensor, the force signalling indicative of force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support due to the environmental fluid sampling; receive position signalling from the position sensor, the position signalling indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling; determine a pressure estimation of fluid pressure in the syringe barrel in dependence on the force signalling; determine a position of the plunger in the barrel based on the position signalling; determine one or more updated operation commands to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation in dependence on the determined pressure estimation and the determined position of the plunger in the barrel; and output the one or more updated operation commands to the apparatus to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation.

[0025] The controller may be configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one external computing apparatus. The controller may be configured to communicate using wired communication, optionally wherein the wired communication comprises MODBUS RS485, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, or 5G.

[0026] The system may further comprise an external computing device configured to communicate with the controller, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, desktop computer, tablet computer, or other external computing device.

[0027] In an aspect there is provided a method of controlling any syringe assembly disclosed herein or any multi-syringe assembly disclosed herein, the method comprising: providing syringe operation control signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to a syringe control protocol.

[0028] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: receiving one or more of: force data indicative of force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to the environmental fluid sampling obtained from the force sensor; and position data indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling obtained from the position sensor; in dependence on the one or more of the force data and the position data, determining an updated syringe control protocol; and providing updated operation signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to the updated syringe control protocol, thereby causing the apparatus to operate the syringe in dependence on the updated operation signalling.

[0029] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: determining an updated syringe control protocol of stopping sampling the environmental fluid in dependence on the force data indicating that the pressure in syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

[0030] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: determining an updated syringe control protocol of changing the speed of the plunger relative to the barrel in dependence on one or more of: the position data indicating that the position of the plunger is within a threshold distance of, and travelling towards, an end of the barrel, and the force data indicating that the pressure in the syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing the apparatus to slow the movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel.

[0031] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: determining, in dependence on the position data and the force data, whether the environmental fluid being sampled comprises gas or liquid; and determining, in dependence on the determination of gas or liquid being sampled and on the position data and the force data, a total volume of liquid collected by the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly.

[0032] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: determining that the total volume of liquid collected meets a predetermined volume threshold; and in dependence on the determination, causing the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

[0033] The method of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise: determining that a stop condition is reached, wherein the stop condition comprises one or more of: a target sample volume being collected, a target sampling time being reached, a fluid pressure limit in the syringe being reached, or an override command being received; and in dependence on the determination, causing the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

[0034] In an aspect there is provided a method of manufacture of an apparatus for sampling environmental fluid, the method comprising: providing a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe, the syringe support frame comprising: a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe; and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe; providing a syringe operation apparatus and connecting the syringe operation apparatus to the syringe support frame to allow linear displacement of the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame; providing a force sensor and connecting the force sensor to the syringe support frame to allow force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the syringe barrel to be sensed; and providing a position sensor and connecting the position sensor to the sensor support frame to allow the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element to be sensed.

[0035] In an aspect there are provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform any method of controlling a syringe assembly disclosed herein.

[0036] In an aspect there is provided a controller configured to perform any method of controlling a syringe assembly disclosed herein, with any syringe assembly or multi-syringe assembly disclosed herein.

[0037] In an aspect there is provided a system for sampling environmental fluid, the system comprising: a sampler configured to receive fluid inside the sampler and provide fluid out of the sampler; and one or more of: an inlet selector connected to an inlet of the sampler by a fluid connection, the inlet selector configured to supply sampled fluid to the sampler; and an outlet selector connected to an outlet of the sampler by a fluid connection, the outlet selector configured to receive sampled fluid from the sampler for onward provision.

[0038] The system may further comprise, in fluid connection with the inlet selector, one or more of: an air supply configured to provide air, via the inlet selector, to the sampler; and a reagent supply configured to provide a reagent, via the inlet selector, to the sampler.

[0039] The system may comprise, in fluid connection with the outlet selector, one or more receiving elements configured to receive sampled fluid from the outlet selector and collect environmental matter from the received sampled fluid, the one or more receiving elements optionally comprising one or more of: a filter, an assay, a separation element, or a container.

[0040] The system may further comprise a controller configured to control one or more of: the inlet selector to select one of a plurality of sources to connect to the sampler via the inlet selector; and the outlet selector to select one of a plurality of receiving elements to connect to the sampler via the outlet selector.

[0041] One or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector comprise a releasably connected disposable valved manifold connectable between a first end and a plurality of second ends of the one or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector; wherein if comprised in the inlet selector, the first end is connected to an outlet of the inlet selector and the plurality of second ends are connected to a respective plurality of inlets of the inlet selector, and if comprised in the outlet selector, the first end is connected to an inlet of the outlet selector and the plurality of second ends are connected to a respective plurality of outlets of the outlet selector, and the disposable valved manifold comprises one or more actuatable valves configured to control the flow of fluid along a selected fluid flow path of the disposable valved manifold.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figures 1A to 1 D illustrate apparatus 100 for sampling environmental fluid according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 2A illustrates a syringe 200, and Figures 2B and 2C illustrate a syringe assembly, according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 3 illustrates a syringe with preservative module according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 4 illustrates a system of networked apparatus according to examples disclosed herein;Figures 5A to 5C illustrate a multi-syringe assembly according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 6 illustrates a controller according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 7 illustrates a system according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 8A illustrates a graph of strain (force) and volume versus time, and Figure 8B illustrates a graph of Hall effect sensor reading (position sensor) versus time, of a syringe operated by an apparatus according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 9A illustrates a method of controlling a syringe assembly according to examples disclosed herein;Figure 9B illustrates a method of manufacture of an apparatus according to examples disclosed herein; andFigure 10 illustrates a system comprising a sampler 1020 and an inlet selector and an outlet selector.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] There is a need in the art to improve apparatus for water and other environment fluid collection from the environment, which mitigates against risk to the human operator being present in the field in a hazardous location, the sample collected based on a trigger event when timing is of the essence and reduces the necessity of thoroughly cleaning at least portions of the water collection device to avoid cross contamination. Examples disclosed herein allow for remote deployment of sampling apparatus with a reduced or eliminated need to clean the water path and elements in the water path of the apparatus to avoid cross contamination.

[0044] “Environmental fluid” may be taken to mean liquid and / or gas sampled from the environment, which may be in the natural world (e.g. rivers, lakes, ponds), or may be in a man-made environment such as a processing environment (e.g. a brewery, food processing plant, chemical plant, factory), or a laboratory environment (e.g. a bioreactor, a chemistry laboratory). For example, water sampled from waterways such as rivers and lakes is an example of environmental fluid. The sampled water may be called environmental water. It may contain environmental DNA, or “eDNA”, which is DNA from organic matter (e.g. fish, insects, plants, microbes) in the water sample. The sampled water or gas may also or otherwise contact other matter such as microbial matter, chemical matter and some other species. Such fluid can provide a large amount of data on the environment from where the fluid has been collected, for example indicative of species living in the area, any pollution or contaminants in the environment, genetic information of species in the environment, and other data.

[0045] Figures 1A and 1 B illustrate apparatuses 100 for sampling environmental fluid. Figures 1 C and 1 D illustrate the same apparatuses 100 for sampling environmental fluid from a different viewpoint. The viewpoint is indicated on each Figure 1 A-1 D; compared to Figures 1 A and 1 B, Figures 1 C and 1 D are rotated about the z axis by a quarter turn. The apparatus 100 may be used to hold and operate a syringe for fluid collection.

[0046] The apparatus 100 comprises a syringe support frame 102 configured to removably support a syringe. The syringe support frame 102 comprises a syringe barrel support element 104 configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe, and a syringe plunger support element 106 configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe. The apparatus 100 also comprises a syringe operation apparatus 108, configured to linearly displace the syringe barrel support element 104 with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106, to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame 102 (and therefore collect and / or eject fluid). The syringe operation apparatus 108 may comprise, for example, a motor such as a stepper motor; a hydraulic mechanism, or a pneumatic mechanism, for example, configured to cause the linear motion of the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel of a syringe mounted in the apparatus.

[0047] The apparatus 100 comprises one or more drive rods 124. There may be, for example, one central drive rod centrally located on the syringe plunger support element 106 and drive carriage 126; two drive rods towards opposite edged of the syringe plunger support element 106 and drive carriage 126; or more than two drive rods spaced around the syringe plunger support element 106 and drive carriage 126. The drive rod(s) 124 is / are connected to a movable drive carriage 126 which contains a lead screw nut 128 that is linearly translated by a movement connection element 110 (e.g. a lead screw) driven by the syringe operation apparatus 108. A movement connection element 1 10 is shown which can cause the syringe barrel support element 104 to move with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106, driven by the syringe operation apparatus 108. There may be one or more such movement connection elements 110, for example depending on the particular configuration of the apparatus 100. The drive rod(s) 124 pass through seal(s) located in the syringe plunger support element 106, The seal(s) create a separation between the fluid / ”wet” environment, and the internal “dry” portion which can be located in a housing to retain a dry (non-wetted) environment (per Figures 2B and 2C).

[0048] The apparatus 100 may not necessarily be (at least partly) submerged in liquid (and have “wet” and “dry” portions) such that the environmental fluid enters the syringe inlet directly (this may be called a “submerged” mode). In other examples the apparatus 100 may be used in a “dry” mode whereby a length of tubing is connected at a first tubing end to the syringe inlet of a syringe mounted in the apparatus 100, and the opposite tubing end is located in the environmental fluid source (e.g. in a river or lake). Operation of the apparatus 100 either in the submerged mode or a dry mode may be performed as disclosed herein.

[0049] The apparatus 100 also comprises a force sensor 112 configured to sense force applied to move the syringe barrel support element 104 with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the barrel of the syringe. The force sensor 112 may also be configured to sense force applied to move the syringe barrel support element 104 with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106 due to movement of environmental fluid from within the barrel of the syringe to the (external) environment. The force sensor 112 may comprise one or more load cells. The force sensor 1 12 may be located on a sensor support surface 118 of the syringe support frame. Advantageously, located outside the water pathway, and so allows for forces on the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel to be sensed without the force sensor requiring cleaning between water collection samples to avoid cross contamination.

[0050] The apparatus 100 also comprises one or more position sensors 114 configured to sense the position of the syringe plunger support element 106 with respect to the syringe barrel support element 104. The position sensors 114 may be configured to detect changes in position due to movement of the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel when the apparatus 100 is fitted with a syringe (see Figures 2B and 2C and associated description, for example). The position sensors 114 may comprise one or more Hall effect sensors, such as analogue Hall effect magnetic position sensors, for example. In other examples a different type of position sensor may be used. The position sensors 114 may be located on respective sensor support surfaces 120, 122 of the syringe support frame and on the drive carriage 126, so the position of the drive carriage with respect to drive carriage limits on the sensor surfaces 120, 122 can be determined. In the example of a Hall effect magnetic position sensor, magnets may be located on the drive carriage 126 which magnetically interact with the position sensors 114 and this interaction can be sensed and used to determine position. Advantageously, the position sensors 114 is located outside the water / fluid pathway, and so allows for the position of the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel to be sensed without the position sensor requiring cleaning between water collection samples to avoid cross contamination. The apparatus 100 may, when fitted with a syringe in the syringe support frame 102, be used to operate the syringe and collect fluid and / or expel fluid from the syringe barrel.

[0051] The apparatus 100 may further comprise a housing 202, as shown in Figures 2B and 2C described below. The housing 202 may be attached to the apparatus 100, at one or more housing connection portions 116 of the apparatus (e.g. end caps 204, 206). In the illustrated examples the housing connection portions 116 comprise a distal portion 116 through which the drive rod(s) 124 extend. There may be one or more further housing connection portions, for example at the opposite end of the apparatus 100, which in these examples may be a proximal portion such as a proximal flange (not shown) proximal to the syringe operation apparatus 108.

[0052] As shown in the examples of Figures 1A, 1 C and Figure 2B, the syringe plunger support element 106 may be fixedly connected to the housing 202 (e.g. fixedly connected to a housing connection portion 116 which itself is fixedly connected to the housing 202), and the syringe barrel support element 104 may be slidably connected to the housing 202 by a movement connection element 110. The movement connection element 1 10 is configured to, under control of the syringe operation apparatus 108, cause the syringe barrel support element 104 to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106 and the housing 202. The force sensor 112is configured to measure the force induced by movement of the syringe plunger support element 106 with respect to the syringe barrel support element 104 (and housing 202).

[0053] As shown in the examples of Figure 1 B, 1 D and Figure 2C, the syringe barrel support element 104 may be fixedly connected to the housing 202 (e.g. fixedly connected to a housing connection portions 116 which itself is fixedly connected to the housing 202), and the syringe plunger support element 106 may be slidably connected to the housing 202 by a drive carriage 126. The movement of the drive carriage 126 due to operation of the drive rod(s) 1 Wunder control of the syringe operation apparatus 108, causes the syringe plunger support element 106 to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe barrel support element 104 and the housing 202. The force sensor 112 is configured to measure the force induced by movement of the syringe barrel support element 104 with respect to the syringe plunger support element 106 (and housing 202). The overall apparatus 100 of Figures 1A and 1 C is shorter than that of Figures 1 B and 1 D, which may be advantageous if the environment in which the apparatus 100 is to be located has restricted space. While the overall apparatus 100 of Figures 1 B and 1 D is longer than that of Figures 1A and 1 C, this arrangement may be advantageous because the plunger of the syringe is moved by the syringe plunger support element 106, while the barrel of the syringe remains stationary with respect to the housing 202 and other parts of the apparatus 100 such as the syringe operation apparatus 108, which may be advantageous to avoid moving the syringe barrel and elements attached to the syringe barrel with respect to the housing, for example to help avoid mechanical weakening of connection to the syringe barrel through movement of the barrel through a liquid.

[0054] Figure 2A illustrates a syringe 200 which may be a disposable syringe in some examples. Figures 2B and 2C illustrate a syringe assembly 250, according to examples disclosed herein, which illustrate that the apparatus 100 may further comprise a housing 202 within which the force sensor 112, the position sensors 114, and the syringe operation apparatus best shown in Figured 1A and 1 B are located and sealed. The housing 202 may form a submersible protective housing in some examples, for example submersible in water to a depth of up to 50 m, up to 100 m, up to 250m or otherwise. The housing 202 may be made from aluminium, or may be made from other materials such as titanium. The housing 202 may have a wall thickness of for example, up to 3mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 10mm, or more than 10mm. The housing 202 may be sealed using any suitable sealing method, for example, screwed end caps 204, 206 and a compressible gasket material (not shown) which is compressed to form a seal between the housing body 208 and end caps 204, 206. In other example the housing 202 may not necessarily be submersible, for example if not used in a liquid.

[0055] Figures 2B and 2C also show at least one external connector 280, 280a, which is configured to connect to one or more of: an external power supply (e.g. the external connector 280 is an electrical connecter to allow for to power to be supplied to the syringe operation apparatus 108); an external communications apparatus (the external connector 280 is an communications cable connector to allow for communication with a communication unit of the apparatus 100); and a retrieval cable (e.g. the external connector 280a is an physical / mechanical connecter to allow for a physical line, such as a wire cable or rope, to be connected to the apparatus 100 to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the apparatus). In this way the apparatus 100 may be physically connected to another entity.

[0056] The syringe 200, shown in Figure 2A, which may form part of the syringe assembly 250 may be supported by the syringe support frame 102. The syringe 200 in these examples comprises a barrel 210 comprising a barrel flange 212 at a proximal end of the barrel 210 and an barrel sample inlet port 214 at a distal end of the barrel 214; and a plunger 216 (which may also be called a piston 216) comprising a plunger flange 218 at a proximal end of the plunger 216 and a plunger seal 220 (within the barrel 210) at a distal end of the plunger 216. The plunger seal 220 is configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel 214. The barrel flange 212 may be supported by the syringe barrel support element 104, and the plunger flange 218 may be supported by the syringe plunger support element 106.

[0057] The syringe assembly 250 may further comprise a filter assembly 260 as shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. The filter assembly 260 comprises a collection filter 262 configured to collect environmental matter from environmental fluid. The filter assembly 260 comprises a filter inlet port 264 and an outlet port I filter fluid outlet 274. The filter assembly 260 comprises a valve 266. The valve 266 itself comprises an environmental sample inlet port 268 configured to receive the environmental fluid from the environment; a syringe connection port 270 connected to the barrel sample inlet port 214 of the syringe 200; and a filter connection port 272 connected to the filter inlet port 264. The valve 266 is configured to allow the collected environmental fluid to pass along a fluid path from the environmental sample inlet port 268 to the barrel sample inlet port 214 into the syringe barrel 210, and out of the syringe barrel 210 from the barrel sample inlet port 214 and the filter connection port 272 to the filter inlet port 264, and through to the filter 262. When the syringe 200 is operated to collect environmental fluid, the plunger 216 is first drawn out from the barrel 210 to increase the volume in the barrel 210 and pull environmental fluid into the barrel 210 through the sample inlet port 268 and syringe connection port 270. Then, the plunger 216 is pushed into the barrel 210 to push the collected environmental fluid from within the barrel 210 via the barrel sample inlet port 214, syringe connection port 270, filter connection port 272 and filter inlet port 264 to the collection filter 262. The collected fluid passes through the filter 262. Fluid beyond that which the filter 262 can hold is expelled at the filter fluid outlet 274. Material in the fluid, such as eDNA, remains in the collection filter 262.

[0058] In this way, environmental fluid may be collected, and material such as eDNA within the collected fluid may be collected in the filter 262 for subsequent analysis, via a remotely-operable syringe apparatus 100. Advantageously, the syringe assembly 250 may be located in the environment and remotely operated at a later time, for example in response to an event such as weather event, effluent leak, or other reported, detected, or planned sensing event. Because the syringe assembly 250 can be located in the environment in advance and then later remotely triggered (commanded to perform fluid sampling), fluid collection may be taken with an improved timing compared to systems in which a human must attend the collection site to deploy a collection apparatus.

[0059] Figure 3 illustrates a syringe 200 with preservative module 280 according to examples disclosed herein. Preservative may be added to a collected sample of environmental material to preserve the collected material and avoid or delay any degradation or contamination of the collected material. The syringe 200 or syringe assembly 250 may thus further comprise a preservative module280 in some examples. The preservative module 280 may be located between the filter assembly 260 and the environment. The preservative module 280 may comprise a preservative module connection port 282 connected to the environmental sample inlet port 268 of the valve 266; a second environmental sample inlet port 284 configured to receive an environmental fluid from the environment; an air inlet point 286 configured to receive air; and a preservative inlet port 288 configured to receive a preservative. The preservative module 280 may be configured to: a) allow environmental fluid to enter the barrel of the syringe 210, via the second environmental sample inlet port 284, preservative module connection port 282, and environmental sample inlet port 268 of the valve 266; b) allow air to enter the collection filter, via the air inlet point 286, for removal of residual environmental fluid (liquid) and for drying environmental material therein; and c) allow preservative to enter the collection filter via the preservative inlet port 288 for preserving environmental material remaining in the filter following air drying. The preservative may enter the collection filter by, for example, using the syringe 200 to draw in preservative, or by using an external pressure source to push the preservative into the collection filter. Of course the port arrangement of the preservative module may change in other examples and provide the same functionality.

[0060] Figure 4 illustrates a system of networked apparatus according to examples disclosed herein. The apparatus 100 or syringe apparatus 250 may comprise a communications module 400. In Figure 4, one communications module 400 is shown connected to a first apparatus 100-1 which is connected to a second apparatus 100-2, which may continue for n apparatus (i.e. to an end apparatus 100-n). Of course in other examples the communications module 400 may be connected directly to a plurality, or all, of the apparatus 100-1 to 100-n in the system. In other examples one or more of the apparatus 100-1 to 100-n may have a dedicated communications module 400. Other network connection geometries may be envisaged whereby each apparatus 100-1 to 100-n in the system may be communicated with. The connection between the apparatuses 100-1 to 100-n and the communications module 400 is shown as a wired connection (e.g. an ethernet connection to the internet or network) but in other examples may be a wireless connection. The communications module 400 is configured to communicate to an external computing apparatus 402, which may be an external server or cloud 402, and which may be communicated with wirelessly. The external server or cloud 402 may provide control signalling to control the operation of the apparatus 100-1 to 100-n, and / or may receive output signalling from the apparatus 100-1 to 100-n, such as operational status, current volume, running time, and / or other parameters derived from the sensed force and / or position. Signalling from the force and positions sensors may be processed internally in the controller of the apparatus 100 to obtain a more meaningful parameter (e.g. pressure, volume) before transmitting that information externally via the communications module 400. . In some examples, the external server or cloud 402 may provide control signalling the apparatus 100-1 to 100-n indicative of a wide external context in order to trigger environmental fluid sampling; for example, a reported biological event, weather event or response from an external sensor may be a cause to trigger sampling using the deployed apparatus 100-1 to 100-n.

[0061] Such a control and communication arrangement as shown in Figure 4 is enabled by the apparatus 100 which may be remotely deployed, as opposed to requiring a human operatorto operatethe syringe. The arrangement of Figure 4 may advantageously be deployed in the environment, and at some later time, may be controlled remotely to collect environmental fluid samples at a time of interest (such as a weather event or other event occurring at which time sampling the environmental fluid would be of interest).

[0062] Figures 5A to 5C illustrate a multi-syringe assembly 500 according to examples disclosed herein. Figure 5A shows one syringe 200 supported in a multi-syringe assembly 500. Figure 5B illustrates an example of an apparatus 100 engaged with a plunger flange of the syringe 200 to allow for syringe operation. Figure 5C shows plural syringes 200 and plural preservative containers 508 mounted in a multi-syringe assembly 500.

[0063] The multi-syringe assembly 500 comprises an apparatus 100 as disclosed herein, for example the apparatus 100 of Figures 1 B and 1 D. The multi-syringe assembly 500 comprises a syringe support plate 510 which comprises a plurality of syringe support locations 512 each configured to removably support a barrel of a syringe 200, for example supporting the barrel between proximal and distal ends of the barrel. The multi-syringe assembly 500 comprises an apparatus positioning element 502 (e.g. a rotatable and / or translatable arm) configured to position the apparatus 100 respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations 512 and engage the syringe support frame 102 of the apparatus 100 with a syringe 200 (specifically in the example shown, with the barrel flange 212 and plunger flange 218 of the syringe 200) supported at the syringe support location 512. That is, the apparatus positioning element 502 moves the apparatus 100 with respect to the syringe support plate 510 to allow for syringes mounted in the plate 510 to be operated. This is shown in more detail in Figure 5B.

[0064] The multi-syringe assembly 500 may further comprise at least one syringe 200 supported by the syringe support frame 510. The at least one syringe 500 comprises, as discussed in relation to Figure 2A, a barrel comprising a barrel flange 212 at a proximal end of the barrel and an barrel sample inlet port at a distal end of the barrel; and a plunger comprising a plunger flange 218 at a proximal end of the plunger and a plunger seal at a distal end of the plunger, the plunger seal configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel; wherein the barrel flange 212 is supported by the plate 510 and wherein the plunger flange 218 is supported by the syringe plunger support element 504 when the apparatus 100 is positioned by the apparatus positioning element 502 for engagement with the syringe 200. The multi-syringe assembly 500 may further comprise an apparatus positioning element controller (not shown) configured to rotationally and / or translationally position the apparatus 100 respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations 512 by controlling the apparatus positioning element 502.

[0065] It can be seen (most clearly in Figure 5B) that the syringe plunger support element 504 may be formed of two parallel side members; 504a, b with a groove, 504c, d in each side member 504a, b such that the grooves 504c, d face towards each other... The syringe plunger support element 504 is formed in this example of one element comprising two side members 504a, b connected by a bridge portion and supported on drive rods 124 of the apparatus 100. When the apparatus 100 is rotated with respect to the apparatus positioning element 502 to align with a syringe 200 supported in thesyringe support plate 510, the grooves 504c, d of the syringe plunger support element 504 slot around the sides of the plunger flange 218 to hold it, and provide support for subsequent movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel as performed by the apparatus 100.

[0066] The plurality of syringe support locations 512 may, as shown, be positioned in a ring in the syringe support plate 510, and the apparatus positioning element 502 may be connected to the syringe support plate 510 in the centre of the ring, and may be configured to rotationally position the apparatus 100 respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations 510. In other examples, the syringe support locations 512 may be arranged in a line and the apparatus positioning element 502 may be configured to move linearly to engage with each of the syringes 200 in the syringe support locations 512. Other syringe support location 512 arrangements, such as a grid (whereby the apparatus positioning element 502 is able to move in the X and Y directions (e.g. two different directions) to engage with a syringe), an arc, a double row, or other, may be envisaged.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5C, the multi-syringe assembly 500 may further comprise a plurality of preservative containers 508 (e.g. syringes containing preservative) each corresponding to a respective syringe (i.e. a syringe via which environmental fluid has been / may be collected). The apparatus positioning element 502 in such an example may be configured to, following actuation of a syringe 200 to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter 262 to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter 262; actuate the preservative container 508 corresponding to the actuated syringe 200 to transfer preservative from the preservative container to the collection filter 262. The apparatus positioning element controller may be configured to rotationally position the apparatus 202 to actuate the preservative container 508 corresponding to the actuated syringe 200 following actuation of the syringe 200.

[0068] The multi-syringe assembly 500 in other examples (e.g. alternatively to examples with a plurality of preservative containers 508 corresponding to respective syringes 200) may comprise a common preservative container (not shown) and a preservative transfer element (such as a pressure source) (not shown). The preservative transfer element may be configured to, following actuation of a syringe 200 to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter 262 to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter 262, collect preservative from the common preservative container and transfer the collected preservative to the actuated syringe to transfer preservative from the common preservative container to the collection filter. For example, using a preservative system as shown in Figure 3, the air inlet port 286 may be connected to the syringe 200 to draw in air and push this air though the filter to expel any environmental fluid within the filter, and then the preservative inlet port 288 may be connected to collect the preservative from the common preservative container and provide this to the filter. The syringe does not necessarily push the preservative through the filter (though it could do); another external pump or pressure source may push / pull the preservative and move it to the filter.

[0069] Such a multi-syringe assembly 500 may be used to collect a plurality of samples, e.g., at different times, from a particular location, while still advantageously being remotely deployable.Further, the multi-syringe assembly 500 provides the ability to preserve samples, such that sample recovery time is not of the essence. Further, the multi-syringe assembly 500 does not requiring any cleaning of system components between samples to avoid cross contamination, since a new syringe can be used for a subsequent sampling at a different time and once the multi-syringe assembly 500 is used, the syringes may be replaced without requiring decontamination cleaning of the other components of the multi-syringe assembly 500 (as there is no common fluid conduit / pathway which may be contaminated).

[0070] Figure 6 illustrates a controller 600 according to examples disclosed herein. The controller 600 is configured to perform any method of controlling a syringe assembly 250 or multi-syringe assembly 500 disclosed herein. The controller may be connected to a syringe assembly 250 or multisyringe assembly 500, for example in a wired or wireless connection (and in such an example, control signals may be provided from the external controller to the apparatus), or may form a part of the syringe assembly 250 or multi-syringe assembly 500 (and in such an example, the control signals may be provided from an “on-board” controller (e.g. processor) in the apparatus 100. The controller 600 comprises a processor 602 and a memory 604 having computer-readable instructions stored thereon. The processor 602 is configured to access the memory 604 and execute the computer- readable instructions to perform any method of controlling a syringe assembly 250 or multi-syringe assembly 500 disclosed herein. In relation to processing taking place on a processor 602, it will be appreciated that there may be a plurality of processors 602 connected to provide the described functionality. It will also be appreciated that in the example control by a remote control apparatus or via the cloud, the memory 604 may act as a buffer to temporarily store instructions provided from the remote control apparatus or cloud to the controller 600.

[0071] The controller 600 may be configured to, as illustrated, receive, as input, 610 force signalling 620 from the force sensor, the force signalling 620 indicative of force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support due to the environmental fluid sampling. The controller 600 may be configured to receive, as input, 612 position signalling 630 from the position sensor, the position signalling indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling. The controller 600 may be configured to determine 614 a pressure estimation of fluid pressure in the syringe barrel in dependence on the force signalling and determine 616 a position of the plunger in the barrel based on the position signalling. The controller 600 may be configured to determine 618 one or more updated operation commands to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation in dependence on the determined pressure estimation and the determined position of the plunger in the barrel; and output 622 the one or more updated operation commands 640 to the apparatus to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation.

[0072] The controller 600 may be configured to communicate wirelessly, for example, via WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, or 5G, with at least one external computing apparatus. The controller 600 may be configured to communicate using wired communication, for example, the wired communication may comprise MODBUS RS485. The controller 600 may be configured to communicate with one or moreother controllers 600 of one or more other apparatus 100, syringe assembly 250, or multi-syringe assembly 500, for example as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0073] It will be appreciated that the controller 600 can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as claimed in any preceding claim and a machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.

[0074] Figure 7 illustrates a system 700 according to examples disclosed herein. The system 700 comprises any apparatus 100 disclosed herein; or any syringe assembly 250 disclosed herein; or any multi-syringe assembly 500 disclosed herein; and a controller 600, such as the controller 600 of Figure 6. The controller 600 may be configured to receive syringe operation control signalling configured to control operation of a syringe 200 mounted in the syringe support frame 102 of the apparatus 100; determine one or more operation commands to cause the apparatus 100 to perform a requested operation; and output the one or more operation commands to the apparatus 100 to cause the apparatus 100 to perform the requested operation. Similarly, the controller 600 may be configured to receive syringe operation control signalling configured to control operation of a syringe 200 mounted in the syringe support frame 102 of the syringe assembly 250; determine one or more operation commands to cause the apparatus 100 of the syringe assembly 250 to perform a requested operation; and output the one or more operation commands to the apparatus 100 of the syringe assembly 250to cause the apparatus 100 to perform the requested operation. Similarly, the controller 600 may be configured to receive syringe operation control signalling configured to control operation of a syringe 200 mounted in the syringe support plate 510 of the multi-syringe assembly 500; determine one or more operation commands to cause the apparatus 100 of the multi-syringe assembly 500 to perform a requested operation; and output the one or more operation commands to the apparatus 100 of the multi-syringe assembly 500 to cause the apparatus 100 to perform the requested operation.

[0075] The system 700 may further comprise an external computing device 750 configured to communicate with the controller 600, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, desktop computer, tablet computer, or other external computing device.

[0076] Figure 8A illustrates graphs of strain 802 (measured by a the force sensor / load cell) and the stroke 808 position measured by the Hall effect sensor, indicative of the position of the plunger in the barrel of the syringe, due to the relationship between the Hall effect sensor and the integrated magnets within the drive carriage), and of total volume of liquid collected 804, versus time 806, of asyringe operated by an apparatus 100 according to examples disclosed herein. Each graph shows a plurality of syringe strokes 808, which may be understood to be the plunger being pulled out from the barrel of the syringe to increase the collection volume in the barrel, and when in use, this action collects environmental fluid from the environment in the syringe barrel. Figure 8B shows the analogue voltage 812 reported by an apparatus 100 comprising Hall effect sensors located at the front (distal end) 814 and back (proximal end) 816 of the apparatus 100. This distance between the peaks is indicative of the size of the stroke 808. In-between consecutive strokes, it can be observed that as one peak decays, it is followed by a low signal (the return period 810) and then the other peak increases as the drive carriage magnet approaches the opposite Hall sensor. The return period 810 is where the plunger is pushed back into the barrel, for example to transfer whatever was collected in the stroke phase to a collection filter. The stroke 808 is indicative of movement of the plunger in a first direction to collect fluid, and the stroke 810 is indicative of movement of the plunger in a opposite second direction to expel collected fluid.

[0077] The strain 802 - time 806 graph shows that between about 25 seconds and 90 seconds, air is collected. This may be air present in tubing between the syringe and a collection location in the environment (e.g. in a river) and / or in the syringe itself. The collection of air has been found to show a characteristic strain profile in the stroke period of a maximum strain of around 30-40 units and with a rising edge which is near vertical (“straight”) on commencement of the stroke. In this example three collection strokes collect air at the start of the overall collection process.

[0078] The strain 802 - time 806 graph shows that between about 130 seconds and 150 seconds, a mixture of air and water is collected. This may be a combination of air and water when the fluid to be collected just begins to arrive at the syringe. The collection of a mixture of air and water has been found to show a characteristic strain profile in the stroke period of a maximum strain of a larger number of strain units than when air only is collected, but a lower number of strain units than when only liquid / water is collected, and again with a rising edge which is near vertical on commencement of the stroke. Towards the end of the stroke the magnitude of the strain measured is comparable to that measured when only liquid is collected, at around 100 strain units.

[0079] The strain 802 - time 806 graph shows that after about 150 seconds, water is collected. Of course this is an illustrative example and water collection may take place earlier or later depending of the example. The collection of water has been found to show a characteristic strain profile in the stroke period of a strain of around 50 to 120 strain units. Differently to the collection of air, or an air / water mix, the rising edge shows a high differential (a rapid increase but not a near-instantaneous increased in strain) which shows a time of several seconds before the strain reaches around between 50 to 120 strain units.

[0080] These characteristic shapes allow for the strain data to be analysed and a determination made of whether the syringe is collecting air, an air / water mix, or water. This is important for being able to determine when to start the accumulation volume of liquid collected calculations. Measured volume through the filter is important in analysis for comparative studies between different samples. The graph of volume of liquid collected 804 (showing the accumulated volume) versus time 806 showsthat the overall volume collected increased on each stroke of water collection, in this example to a final volume collection of 500 ml. Depending on the example, the total accumulated volume of fluid could be anything from zero (nothing collected) to any upper limit if collection is continued. Around 50 ml is collected per stroke. In some examples, by making a determination of the collection of air, air / water mix, or water, from the characteristic graph profile of each syringe stroke, the overall collected volume may be determined and controlled (the syringe may stop being operated once a desired volume is reached). This may be performed automatically by a processor.

[0081] Figure 9A illustrates a method 900 of controlling any syringe assembly 250 or any multisyringe assembly 500 according to examples disclosed herein. The method 900 comprising providing syringe operation control signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to a syringe control protocol.

[0082] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly comprises receiving 902 force data indicative of force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to the environmental fluid sampling obtained from the force sensor and / or receiving 904 position data indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling obtained from the position sensor (it will be appreciated that the order shown in Figure 9A illustrates one ordering of steps 902, 904 though in other examples the steps may take place in the opposite order, or simultaneously, or only one of the two steps 902, 904 may be performed).

[0083] The method 900 comprises, in dependence on the one or more of the force data and the position data, determining 906 an updated syringe control protocol. The method 900 comprises providing 908 updated operation signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to the updated syringe control protocol, thereby causing the apparatus to operate the syringe in dependence on the updated operation signalling.

[0084] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise determining 906 an updated syringe control protocol comprising stopping sampling the environmental fluid in dependence on the force data indicating that the pressure in syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing 910 the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

[0085] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise determining 906 an updated syringe control protocol of changing the speed of the plunger relative to the barrel in dependence on one or more of: the position data indicating that the position of the plunger is within a threshold distance of, and travelling towards, an end of the barrel, and the force data indicating that the pressure in the syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing the apparatus to slow the movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel. That is, the sensed position (e.g. the magnetic field strength detected by a Hall sensor) may be used to begin slowing the speed of the movement of the syringe plunger with respect to the syringe barrel as the plunger approaches the mechanical end point of the syringe barrel.

[0086] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise determining 912, in dependence on the position data and / or the force data, whether the environmental fluid being sampled comprises gas or liquid; and determining 914, in dependence on the determination of gas or liquid being sampled and on the position data and the force data, a total volume of liquid collected by the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly.

[0087] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise determining that the total volume of liquid collected meets a predetermined volume threshold; and in dependence on the determination, causing the apparatus to stop sampling 918 environmental fluid.

[0088] The method 900 of controlling a syringe assembly may further comprise determining 916 that a stop condition is reached, wherein the stop condition comprises one or more of: a target sample volume being collected, a target sampling time being reached, a fluid pressure limit in the syringe being reached, or an override command being received; and in dependence on the determination, causing the apparatus to stop sampling 918 environmental fluid.

[0089] Figure 9B illustrates a method 950 of manufacture of an apparatus according to examples disclosed herein. The method 950 of manufacture of an apparatus for sampling environmental fluid comprises providing 952 a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe. As above, the syringe support frame comprises a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe, and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe.

[0090] The method 950 comprises providing 954 a syringe operation apparatus, and connecting 956 the syringe operation apparatus to the syringe support frame to allow linear displacement of the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame.

[0091] The method 950 comprises providing 958 a force sensor and connecting 960 the force sensor to the syringe support frame to allow force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the syringe barrel to be sensed. The force sensor may also allow force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from within the syringe barrel to the environment to be sensed. The method 950 comprises providing 962 a position sensor and connecting 964 the position sensor to the sensor support frame to allow the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element to be sensed. It will be appreciated that the order of steps shown in Figure 950 are illustrative and the steps may be performed in any different logical order.

[0092] Figure 10 illustrates a system 1000 comprising a sampler 1020. The sampler 1020 is configured to draw fluid inside and expel the fluid back out, in the manner of a syringe, for example. The sampler 1020 in some examples may comprise an apparatus 100, 250, 500 as in Figures 1A- 1 D, Figures 2B-2C or Figure 5A-5C as disclosed herein. In other examples, the sampler 1020 may not necessarily comprise an apparatus 100, 250, 500 such as that described with respect to Figures1A-1 D, Figures 2B-2C or Figure 5A-5C. That is, in some examples, the sampler 1020 may comprise pumping means other than that set out in Figures 1A-1 D, Figures 2B-2C or Figure 5A-5C.

[0093] The sampler 1020 in Figure 10 is connected by fluid connection (e.g. pipework, tubing, or other conduit) to an inlet selector 1008. The inlet selector 1008 is configured to supply sampled fluid to the sampler 1020. In other examples, sampled fluid may be provided to the sampler 1020 by other means.

[0094] The inlet selector 1008 is connected to a sampled fluid source which provides fluid sampled from the environment (e.g. water drawn from a river or other body of water from the natural environmental, or elsewhere such as a factory). In some examples, as shown, the inlet selector 1008 may be connected to a sampling pump apparatus 1022 configured to collect fluid for sampling and provide the collected fluid to the sampler 1020.

[0095] The sampling pump apparatus 1022, as shown in Figure 10, may comprise an external pump 1018 configured to draw fluid in e.g. from the environment, and the drawn fluid may then flow into a flow cell 1010 (the flow cell 1010 may be called a fluidic manifold 1010 as fluid may flow into the manifold 1010 and be directed to flow back either to the inlet selector 1008 or back out to the environment). As such, the sampling pump apparatus 1022 of the system 1000 may be considered to be a recirculatory system, as it can draw fluid in for sampling and can pass the fluid back out.

[0096] Also illustrated in the sampling pump apparatus 1022 is a measurement apparatus 1012, which may comprise one or more measurement instruments such as a Sonde (a piece of equipment used to monitor the environment, such as measuring water quality, in situ), and / or any combination of sensors such as imaging sensors, physical sensors and / or chemical sensors, In some examples the sampling pump apparatus 1022 may be a self-contained unit or external unit.

[0097] Activation (start / stop) of the sampling pump apparatus 1022 may be controlled (e.g. remotely controlled) to start and stop according to user commands in some examples, and / or may run continuously in some examples (e.g. for a prolonged period until it is stopped). User commands may be transmitted wirelessly in some examples to a wireless communications unit (not shown) of the sampling pump apparatus 1022. In this way a user may remotely control the fluid flow to the sampler 1020 or other entity from the sampling pump apparatus 1022. The measurement sensors 1012 may be configured to monitor aspects of the collected fluid, such as physiochemical parameters of collected water. The measurement sensors 1012 may comprise one or more sensors configured to start or stop the pumping cycle according to a sensed parameter (e.g. collected fluid pH, salinity, opacity, or one or more other parameters).

[0098] The sampler 1020 in this example is also connected by fluid connection (e.g. pipework, tubing) to an outlet selector 1004 configured to receive sampled fluid from the sampler 1020. In this example the outlet selector 1008 provides sampled fluid from the sampler 1020 on to one or more receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n. In this example the outlet selector 1008 may provide sampled fluid to a waste outlet 1002. In other examples the sampled fluid may leave the sampler 1020 to other means (e.g. to another fluid collection element such as a collection container, not shown).

[0099] The outlet selector 1004 in this example may be configured to receive the sampled fluid from the sampler 1020 and provide the sampled fluid to one or more receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n. The outlet selector 1004 may be configured to controllably direct sampled fluid from the sampler 1020 to particular one(s) of the one or more receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n. For example, different volumes of sampled fluid may be provided to particular receiving elements 1006- 1 to 1006-n for different tests to be performed. The control of the flow of sampled fluid to particular one(s) of the one or more receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n may in some examples be remotely controlled e.g. via control signal transmission to a wireless communication module (not shown) of the sampler. In this way a user may remotely control the fluid flow from the sampler 1020.

[0100] Each of the receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n in some examples may comprise a respective filter as discussed above configured to trap matter from the fluid sample. Each of the receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006 in some examples may comprise a respective assay for assay testing. Each of the receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n in some examples may comprise a respective separation element such as a chromatography column, membrane, or assay configured to cause components of the sampled fluid to separate out. Each of the receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n in some examples may be a container (e.g. a bottle or vessel). In some examples a combination of filter(s), assay(s), separation element(s) and / or container(s) may be present as receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n.

[0101] As shown, the inlet selector 1008 may also be connected to an air supply 1014, and / or a reagent supply 1016. Air from the air supply 1014 may be provided to a collected sample in a receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n controllably via the inlet selector 1008, sampler 1020, and outlet selector to dry the sample for preservation. The inlet selector 1008 may be configured to select the air supply 1014 (for example, a pressurised air source). A suitable air flow mechanism may be present to allow air to flow from the inlet selector 1008 to a selected outlet of the outlet selector 1004. This process may be used to allow air to flow over a filter 1006-1 to 1006-n, to displacing fluid (e.g. water) and dry the filter / membrane.

[0102] One or more reagents may be provided from the reagent supply 1016 to a collected sample in a receiving element 1006-1 to 1006-n via the inlet selector 1008, sampler 1020, and outlet selector 1004 to cause a reaction of the collected sample in the assay 1006a-n and test the collected sample e.g. for a biological or chemical material in the sample. For example, a following step to air drying of a collected sample may be for the inlet selector 1008 to select a “reagent” from the reagent supply 1016. Such a reagent may be a preservation buffer or chemical testing reagent for example. The sampler 1020 may draw in reagent from the inlet selector 1008 and expel it to the outlet at the outlet selector 1004, resulting in reagent (e.g. preservation buffer) being applied to the filter, for example for long term ambient (in-situ) storage of the dried sample.

[0103] For example, the sampler 1020 may be configured to draw fluid from the inlet selector 1008 and expel it to the outlet selector 1004. For example, the inlet selector 1008 may be configured such that the sampler 1020 draws fluid from the circulating (or stationary) flow cell 1010, the sampler 1020 may measure a desired fluid volume, and expel that volume of fluid to the outlet selector 1004. Thepressure of fluid (and volume of fluid) supplied to the outlet selector 1004 and to a filter 1006-1 to 1006-n may be determined according to examples described above configured to determine pressure and volume of fluid passing into and out of a syringe. The fluid may be expelled through the filter 1006-1 to 1006-n resulting in filtrate from the fluid sample being retained on the filter. This process of sampling and filtering fluid may be continued until one of various stop conditions are triggered, for example.

[0104] In some examples, using a combination of air and one or more other reagents, for example, a cleaning cycle may be performed and spent fluid and / or cleaning solution may be provided to the waste collection vessel 1002, for example. The control of the flow of sampled fluid or other fluid to the sampler 1020 from the inlet selector 1008 may in some examples be remotely controlled e.g. via control signal transmission to a wireless communication module (not shown) of the inlet selector 1008. In this way a user may remotely control the fluid flow of sampled fluid, air and / or reagent to the sampler 1020.

[0105] In some examples, if the receiving elements 1006-1 to 1006-n comprise one or more separation elements or assays, then optical and / or other measurement apparatus (e.g. imaging devices such as a camera) may be used to read and report the outcome, for example from the assay(s) or chromatography separator(s), e.g. wirelessly to a remote computer.

[0106] In some examples, to provide the advantages of using disposable fluid elements for reduced contamination of the sampler and system (e.g. a sampler comprising a removable syringe and fittings), the inlet selector 1008 and / or outlet selector 1004 may comprise one or more disposable "stop cocks", or valves, e.g. serially connected, in a manifold. Such a stop cock manifold I valve manifold may comprise one or more flow direction valves which are mechanically actuatable by a drive mechanism to direct incoming fluid to the stop cock / valve inlet to one of two (or more dependent on the stop cock configuration) stop cock I valve outlets. The stop cocks I valves may be formed of low cost material e.g. plastic, in a similar manner to a disposable syringe, and may be replaced for a subsequent measurement I sampling event once wetted, to help prevent contamination of the overall fluid flow part of the system 1000. For example, it may be envisaged that a disposable stop cock I valve manifold may be formed of a plurality of connected stop cocks I valves which may be inserted into the inlet selector 1008, or the outlet selector 1004, and used to control fluid flow therethrough, and the stop cock I valve manifold may be replaced once a particular measurement cycle, testing site, or other factor, changes. In other words, one or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector comprise a releasably connected disposable valved manifold connectable between a first end and a plurality of second ends of the one or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector, and the disposable valved manifold comprises one or more actuatable valves configured to control the flow of fluid along a selected fluid flow path of the disposable valved manifold.

[0107] All of the features disclosed in this specification and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / orsteps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments and the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An apparatus for sampling environmental fluid, the apparatus comprising: a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe, the syringe support frame comprising: a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe; and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe; a syringe operation apparatus configured to linearly displace the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame; a force sensor configured to sense force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the barrel of the syringe; and a position sensor configured to sense the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a housing within which the force sensor, the position sensor, and the syringe operation apparatus are located and sealed.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the syringe plunger support element is fixedly connected to the housing and; the syringe barrel support element is slidably connected to the housing by a syringe barrel travel element, the syringe barrel travel element configured to, under control of the syringe operation apparatus, cause the syringe barrel support element to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe plunger support element and the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the syringe barrel support element is fixedly connected to the housing and; the syringe plunger support element is slidably connected to the housing by a syringe plunger travel element, the syringe plunger travel element configured to, under control of the syringe operation apparatus, cause the syringe plunger support element to undergo linear translation with respect to the syringe barrel support element and the housing.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the force sensor and the position sensor are located on respective sensor support surfaces of the syringe support frame.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of: the position sensor comprises a Hall effect position sensor; and.the force sensor comprises a load cell.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising an external connector configured to connect to one or more of: an external power supply; an external communications apparatus; and a retrieval cable to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the apparatus.

8. A syringe assembly comprising: the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7; and a syringe supported by the syringe support frame; the syringe comprising: a barrel comprising a barrel flange at a proximal end of the barrel and an barrel sample inlet port at a distal end of the barrel; and a plunger comprising a plunger flange at a proximal end of the plunger and a plunger seal at a distal end of the plunger, the plunger seal configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel; wherein the barrel flange is supported by the syringe barrel support element; and wherein the plunger flange is supported by the syringe plunger support element.

9. The syringe assembly of claim 8, further comprising a filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising: a collection filter configured to collect environmental matter from environmental fluid; a filter inlet port; and a valve; the valve comprising: an environmental sample inlet port configured to receive the environmental fluid from the environment; a syringe connection port connected to the barrel sample inlet port; and a filter connection port connected to the filter inlet port; the valve configured to allow the environmental fluid to pass along a fluid path from the environmental sample inlet port to the barrel sample inlet port, and from the barrel sample inlet port to the filter connection port.

10. The syringe assembly of claim 9, further comprising a preservative module, the preservative module located between the filter assembly and the environment, the preservative module comprising: a preservative module connection port connected to the environmental sample inlet port of the valve; a second environmental sample inlet port configured to receive an environmental fluid from the environment; an air inlet point configured to receive air; anda preservative inlet port configured to receive a preservative; the preservative module configured to: a) allow environmental fluid to enter the barrel of the syringe; b) allow air to enter the collection filter for removal of residual environmental fluid and for drying environmental material therein; and c) allow preservative to enter the collection filter for preserving environmental material remaining in the filter following air drying.

11. A multi-syringe assembly, comprising: the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7; a syringe support plate comprising a plurality of syringe support locations each configured to removably support a barrel of a syringe between proximal and distal ends of the barrel; and an apparatus positioning element configured to position the apparatus respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations and engage the syringe support frame of the apparatus with a syringe supported at the syringe support location.

12. The multi-syringe assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: at least one syringe supported by the syringe support frame; the at least one syringe comprising: a barrel comprising a barrel flange at a proximal end of the barrel and an barrel sample inlet port at a distal end of the barrel; and a plunger comprising a plunger flange at a proximal end of the plunger and a plunger seal at a distal end of the plunger, the plunger seal configured to provide a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the barrel; wherein the barrel flange is supported by the syringe barrel support element; and wherein the plunger flange is supported by the syringe plunger support element.

13. The multi-syringe assembly of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: the plurality of syringe support locations are positioned in a ring in the syringe support plate; and the apparatus positioning element is connected to the syringe support plate in the centre of the ring, and is configured to rotationally position the apparatus respectively at each of the plurality of syringe support locations.

14. The multi-syringe assembly of any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising at least one preservative container configured to, following actuation of a syringe to sample environmental fluid and pass the sampled environmental fluid through a collection filter to load environmental matter in the environmental fluid in the collection filter, provide preservative from the at least one preservative container to the collection filter of the actuated syringe.

15. A system comprising: the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7; or the syringe assembly of any of claims 8 to 10; or the multi-syringe assembly of any of claims 1 1 to 14; and a controller configured to one or more of: receive syringe operation control signalling configured to control operation of a syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus; determine one or more operation commands to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation; and output the one or more operation commands to the apparatus to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to: receive force signalling from the force sensor, the force signalling indicative of force applied to move the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support due to the environmental fluid sampling; receive position signalling from the position sensor, the position signalling indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling; determine a pressure estimation of fluid pressure in the syringe barrel in dependence on the force signalling; determine a position of the plunger in the barrel based on the position signalling; determine one or more updated operation commands to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation in dependence on the determined pressure estimation and the determined position of the plunger in the barrel; and output the one or more updated operation commands to the apparatus to cause the apparatus to perform the requested operation.

17. A method of controlling a syringe assembly according to any of claims 8 to 10 or a multisyringe assembly of any of claims 12 to 14, the method comprising: providing syringe operation control signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to a syringe control protocol.

18. The method of controlling a syringe assembly of claim 17, further comprising: receiving one or more of: force data indicative of force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to the environmental fluid sampling obtained from the force sensor; and position data indicative of the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element during environmental fluid sampling obtained from the position sensor; in dependence on the one or more of the force data and the position data, determining an updated syringe control protocol; andproviding updated operation signalling to the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly to cause the apparatus to operate the syringe mounted in the syringe support frame of the apparatus to perform environmental fluid sampling according to the updated syringe control protocol, thereby causing the apparatus to operate the syringe in dependence on the updated operation signalling.

19. The method of controlling a syringe assembly of claim 18, further comprising: determining an updated syringe control protocol of stopping sampling the environmental fluid in dependence on the force data indicating that the pressure in syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

20. The method of controlling a syringe assembly of any of claims 17 to 19, further comprising: determining an updated syringe control protocol of changing the speed of the plunger relative to the barrel in dependence on one or more of: the position data indicating that the position of the plunger is within a threshold distance of, and travelling towards, an end of the barrel, and the force data indicating that the pressure in the syringe barrel exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold; and causing the apparatus to slow the movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel.21 . The method of controlling a syringe assembly of any of claims 17 to 20, further comprising: determining, in dependence on the position data and the force data, whether the environmental fluid being sampled comprises gas or liquid; and determining, in dependence on the determination of gas or liquid being sampled and on the position data and the force data, a total volume of liquid collected by the syringe assembly or the multi-syringe assembly.

22. The method of controlling a syringe assembly of claim 21 , further comprising: determining that the total volume of liquid collected meets a predetermined volume threshold; and in dependence on the determination, causing the apparatus to stop sampling environmental fluid.

23. A method of manufacture of an apparatus for sampling environmental fluid, the method comprising: providing a syringe support frame configured to removably support a syringe, the syringe support frame comprising: a syringe barrel support element configured to removably support a barrel of the syringe; and a syringe plunger support element configured to removably support a plunger of the syringe;providing a syringe operation apparatus and connecting the syringe operation apparatus to the syringe support frame to allow linear displacement of the syringe barrel support element with respect to the syringe plunger support element to thereby linearly translate a plunger of a syringe within and along a barrel of the syringe supported in the syringe support frame; providing a force sensor and connecting the force sensor to the syringe support frame to allow force applied to the syringe plunger support element due to movement of environmental fluid from the environment to within the syringe barrel to be sensed; and providing a position sensor and connecting the position sensor to the sensor support frame to allow the position of the syringe plunger support element with respect to the syringe barrel support element to be sensed.

24. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method of any of claims 18 to 23.

25. A system for sampling environmental fluid, the system comprising: a sampler configured to receive fluid inside the sampler and provide fluid out of the sampler; and one or more of: an inlet selector connected to an inlet of the sampler by a fluid connection, the inlet selector configured to supply sampled fluid to the sampler; and an outlet selector connected to an outlet of the sampler by a fluid connection, the outlet selector configured to receive sampled fluid from the sampler for onward provision.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising, in fluid connection with the inlet selector, one or more of: an air supply configured to provide air, via the inlet selector, to the sampler; and a reagent supply configured to provide a reagent, via the inlet selector, to the sampler.

27. The system of claim 25 or claim 26, further comprising, in fluid connection with the outlet selector, one or more receiving elements configured to receive sampled fluid from the outlet selector and collect environmental matter from the received sampled fluid, the one or more receiving elements optionally comprising one or more of: a filter, an assay, a separation element, or a container.

28. The system of any of claim 25 to claim 27, further comprising a controller configured to control one or more of: the inlet selector to select one of a plurality of sources to connect to the sampler via the inlet selector; and the outlet selector to select one of a plurality of receiving elements to connect to the sampler via the outlet selector.29 The system of any of claim 25 to claim 28, wherein one or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector comprise a releasably connected disposable valved manifold connectable between afirst end and a plurality of second ends of the one or more of the inlet selector and outlet selector; wherein if comprised in the inlet selector, the first end is connected to an outlet of the inlet selector and the plurality of second ends are connected to a respective plurality of inlets of the inlet selector, and if comprised in the outlet selector, the first end is connected to an inlet of the outlet selector and the plurality of second ends are connected to a respective plurality of outlets of the outlet selector, and the disposable valved manifold comprises one or more actuatable valves configured to control the flow of fluid along a selected fluid flow path of the disposable valved manifold.

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