276 results about "Airborne particle" patented technology

Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting, classifying and identifying airborne and non-airborne particles on an individual basis in substantially real time by directing a particle stream to react with optical reporters and markers and then exposing the stream to an excitation source such that individual particles have their multiple identifying characteristics detected.

Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

A weir is extended vertically to define an optimal annular gap between the top of the weir and the underside of a super-adjacent heat shield. The annular gap provides a high velocity stream of argon gas to be directed from the growth region to the melt region to substantially eliminate the transport of airborne particles from the melt region to the growth region. The tall weir may be configured as a modular, reusable weir extension supportably engaged with an outer (and/or inner) weir.

The present invention comprises a system and method for protecting the interior of an automobile having at least a power roof or power windows. The method includes a damaging element detection sensor for detecting moisture or airborne particles which may damage the interior of the automobile by contacting the material when the automobile is left unattended with the automobile power roof or power windows in an open or lowered position. The damaging element detection sensor may be one of a moisture or particle sensor which detects airborne moisture or particles and accordingly automatically operates the power windows or power roof without the intervention of the automobile operator. The system evaluates whether the moisture or particles are still contacting the automobile and may return the power roof or power windows to the position they were in prior to the moisture detection. The invention further includes an obstruction sensor for detecting whether an obstruction is impeding the operation of power roof and power windows, and an occupant sensor for determining whether there is an occupant in the automobile who may manually control the power windows and power roof, and operate the power roof and power windows accordingly.

In one form the present invention provides an apparatus in an airflow path before a particle detector, wherein the apparatus removes a substantially constant proportion of all sizes of airborne particles from the airflow over time. In an example the apparatus includes a flow splitting arrangement configured to divide a fluid flow into a plurality of sub-flows, the splitting arrangement 10 including means for defining a plurality of substantially identically dimensioned flow apertures configured to direct a portion of the fluid into a respective sub-flow.

An apparatus for airborne particle sorting is provided comprising a charging system adapted for applying an electrostatic charge to the particles, such that particles of at least a first group are deflected to a greater extent than particles of a second group are deflected. A focusing system is adapted for electrostatically focusing substantially at least the particles of the first group into a focused stream that is narrower than the input air stream. A deposition system is adapted for substantially depositing the particles of the first group from the focused stream upon a target surface, where the target surface may be transported to an analysis system capable of analyzing the particles deposited thereon.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for continuously sampling particles from air. In one embodiment, a system for continuously sampling particles from air may include: an airflow system configured to continuously draw air including airborne particles into the system; a photophoretic trap that uses photophoretic forces of a laser beam to trap one or more of the airborne particles from the drawn air; a measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of the trapped one or more airborne particles; and a controller configured to repeatedly trap, measure and release one or more airborne particles.

A drug delivery device such as an oral dosage form (ODF) with a toxic or potent core encapsulated by a non-toxic region. The non-toxic region may be a region including multiple layers, coatings, shells, and combinations thereof, which provides protection to and isolation from the toxic or potent core. The drug in the toxic or potent core is incorporated into the dosage form via, for example, three-dimensional printing, as a solution, solubilization or suspension of solid particles in liquid, rather than by the more conventional handling and compressing of dry powder. This minimizes the likelihood of creating airborne particles of the toxic drug during manufacturing, hence controlling and minimizing the exposure of manufacturing personnel to the hazardous substance. Wet dispensing of the toxic or potent drug further provides greater bioavailability of the drug to the patient.

The present invention is directed to providing a sterile container protecting various surgical grafts, implants and devices from incidental contamination and damage during operative procedures. The design includes an inner box to contain the items, and an outer box to protect the exterior of the inner box from contamination in the event of fall or other contamination, such as from airborne particles or liquids, fall from the sterile field, or by non-sterile handling. In the event of fall or contamination of the outer box, the surgical staff will be able to recover the inner box and its contents in sterile and unspoiled condition without difficulty.

This invention describes an improved method and apparatus for the analysis of fluid borne particles and which is especially suitable for the detection of airborne biological particles. In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus for the detection of fluid borne particles which comprises: a zone through which a fluid to be analysed flows, in use; a source of illumination to illuminate/irradiate fluid borne particles present in said zone; and a detector to detect light from the particles as an indicator of the presence or characteristics of the particles, wherein the apparatus comprises an integrating sphere and the zone is within the integrating sphere. The apparatus is highly sensitive and can be used for detecting airborne particles even where the particles are present at very low particle concentrations in the air.

An apparatus, method and system for detecting and quantizing levels of specific airborne particle contamination in areas to be monitored for a plurality of users 201. Sealed particulate samplers 100 are distributed to a plurality of users 201. Samplers 100 are opened during a test period so that airborne particulate is pulled and affixed to surface 101 by means for attraction and affixing. After the test period, samplers 100 are sealed and sent to a processing center 200 where particulate affixed to surface 101 is analyzed using optical means and reports 203 generated and sent to users 201. Reports 203 compare test results with selected benchmark values from database 204.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for trapping and holding airborne particles. In the various embodiments, an optical trap is provided which uses a focused hollow-beam for trapping and holding both absorbing and non-absorbing airborne particles. The optical trap comprises: a trapping region where a particle can be present to be trapped; a light source for generating a coherent beam of light; optics for forming a hollow beam having a ring geometry from the coherent beam of light; and a focusing element for focusing the hollow beam to a point in the trapping region. In this arrangement, the particle is trapped at or near the focal point of the focused hollow beam.

An airborne particle collection system includes a monitoring device and a collection media. The monitoring device includes a housing having an air-intake slot, and a motor. The collection media includes an adhesive-coated tape contained within a removable cartridge inserted into the housing. The removable cartridge includes a particle intake zone, proximate to the air-intake slot, and through which the adhesive-coated tape is exposed to capture airborne particles passing through the air-intake slot, and an inspection zone at which the airborne particles captured at the intake zone are transported for optical imaging. The motor moves the airborne particles captured by the adhesive-coated tape from the particle intake zone to the inspection zone.

An apparatus for collecting airborne particles includes a cyclone into which external air and an absorbing liquid are sprayed to absorb the airborne particles in the external air with the absorbing liquid, a reservoir in fluid communication with the cyclone and which stores the absorbing liquid to be sprayed into the cyclone as an absorbing liquid film, a collector in fluid communication with the cyclone and which collects the absorbing liquid film from the cyclone, and a feedback pipe in fluid communication with the collector and the reservoir and which transports the absorbing liquid film collected in the collector to the reservoir.