Handheld Air Sampler with External Vacuum and Filter Magazine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air sampling technologies face challenges in efficiently detecting airborne pathogens due to low density and the need for bulky equipment, making it difficult to sample microorganisms, especially viruses, in a compact and portable manner.
Innovation Solution
A handheld air sampler device with a permeable backing element and sealing element, using an external vacuum source, allows for the enrichment of airborne substances by passing air through a filter element, enabling compact and lightweight design for sampling microorganisms, including viruses, in various applications such as respiratory and surface sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional air sampling methods (impingers, impactors) are used to detect airborne pathogens, then particle collection capability is improved, but device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vacuum generation function from the air sampler, using an external vacuum device instead of an integrated pump. This removes the bulky pump component while maintaining effective particle collection capability, achieving both precision and portability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses porous filter elements (membrane filters) as the collection medium. These porous materials enable efficient particle capture through their filtration structure, maintaining measurement precision while being lightweight and compact compared to traditional impinger or impactor designs
2Measurement precision
If gelatin membrane filters are used for filtering airborne particles, then enrichment of microorganisms is improved, but filter handling and positioning precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning of the filter element on the backing element before the sampling process. The filter is pre-aligned and secured in the correct position, ensuring that during air flow the filter remains precisely positioned for optimal microbial enrichment without requiring complex positioning mechanisms during operation
3Ease of operation
If a handheld air sampler with integrated vacuum pump is used, then portability is improved, but device complexity and energy requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air sampling system into two separate components: a simple handheld sampler unit and an external vacuum device. This segmentation allows the handheld unit to remain simple and portable while the vacuum function is handled by a separate device, reducing overall system complexity and energy requirements for the portable component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively samples and enriches airborne microorganisms, including viruses, in a compact and portable format, facilitating easy adaptation for different applications like respiratory and surface sampling, while using gelatin membrane filters to detect pathogens efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable backing element arranged in the flow channel, the backing element being configured to receive and support a filter element; when a negative pressure is applied to the outlet, air entering the inlet forms an airstream passing the filter element and airborne substances and/or particles, in particular microorganisms, are enriched in the filter element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a hand-held air sampler device (1) for enrichment of airborne substances and/or particles, in particular microorganisms, comprising: an inlet (2) configured for air intake into a flow channel (3); an outlet (4) configured for fluidically connecting the flow channel (3) to an external vacuum device; a permeable backing element (5) arranged in the flow channel (3), the backing element (5) being configured to receive and support a filter element (6); and a sealing element (7) configured for sealing a filter element (6) received on the backing element (5) such that, when a negative pressure is applied to the outlet (4), air entering the inlet (2) forms an airstream passing the filter element (6) and airborne substances and/or particles, in particular microorganisms, are enriched in the filter element (6). The invention further pertains to an air sampling arrangement comprising: a hand-held air sampler (1) device of this type, a filter magazine (30) for storing and predefined positioning filter elements (6) on a backing element (5) of a hand-held air sampler device (1) of this type and/or a method for applying a filter element (6) to a backing element (5) of a hand-held air sampling device (1) of this type.